School Controller Project

Hello,

I am currently in the designing the stage of my A2 Product Design A level.

The product I have to chosen to design and make is a Model Railway/Scalextric Controller. I have come up with a few specifications for what I am designing. Must be;

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Able to use with Model Railways and Scalextrics (so there will be a 12 Volt setting and a 16 Volt setting on the transformer.)
• Able to use more than one at the same time without interference (so more than one frequency must be selectable
• Wireless via Infra-red (to be legal!)

Regarding the make, the main body will be made from laser cut acrylic and the interals will be on PCB (printed circuit board).

Regarding help with it, I will be getting electrical help for the internals from my Brother and my Dad who both have degree's in electronics, a friend who is currently taking a degree in electronics and 2 other friends who are very good with electronics.

In making it I will seek help from my teacher, who (rather unsurprisingly) is very good at designing and making well designed products. Also in the making I will need to be able to make PCB, as my school doesn't have the facilities to make it, the same friend who is taking a degree in eletronics also has access to facilities that can make it.

I will be keeping this thread up to date with progress, idea's and soon, an online survey to help me get feedback. I have already made a CAD drawing which I will upload as soon as I can so you can get an idea of what I am going to make.

If you have any questions, queries, feedback or help, don't hesitate as I need as much feedback as I can get

Many Thanks

Shakey.