The Productivity, Art, and Paintball Clock

 This unit in my STEAM class, Light Sound and time, we learned about the third and final topic, time. We started by defining time, listing various ways we could tell time, and finally we dug deeper into this subject by exploring things like longitude and latitude. We soon started to apply and learn math concepts like how to calculate longitude and latitude, how to use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate shadow angles cast by a sun dial, and many other mathematical concepts like calculating arc length and finding the period of pendulum clocks. Throughout the unit we also explored various science concepts like general relativity, twin paradox, space time fabric, and time zones. With all our new knowledge on time we where challenged to create our original device to tell time. We were asked to keep a specific clientele in mind for our project and so I chose my targeted audience as an average stay at home worker who wants to maximize their productivity. With that in mind here is my project, enjoy!

Design Process

The design process involved a lot of crazy messy brainstorming and cutting down crazy ideas into something that would actually work. That meant saying no to the crazy rolling marbles down a long slide to tell time (not very sure where I was going with that one).

Crazy brainstorming, AAG,2022

After much thinking, redesigning, and feedback form my peers I had a very good idea of where I wanted to go with this device. 

More Realistic draft, AAG,2022

Finally the time had come to give the final touches and my final product had arrived. I will let my fellow ai friend, introduce the final product.

Final Product

Video edited on Kapwing

Math Behind My Device

With the measurements given in the video we are able to calculate the total volume of the device. 

Units: inches

Rectangular prism measurements:
Height= 12 in
Length= 3 in
Width = 3 in
Volume= 12 in x 3 in x 3 in Volume = 108 in^3

Cylinder measurements:
Radius= 1 in
Height = 5 in
Volume= 15.71in^3

V= πr^2h
V=π(1)^2(5)
V= 15 .71in^3

Total volume: 15.71 in + 108 in = 123.71 in^3

Not only are we able to find the total volume but can also calculate the arc length created by one of the "gears" inside the PAP clock. By using the "radius" created by the circular motion of this gear we can calculate the circumference giving us all we need to calculate arc length. First we set up our equation, arc angle/ 360 = arc length/ circumference. Next we plug in our 90 degrees for our arc angle as it is the angle the gear as a whole makes, using our radius of 2.5 cm we calculate the circumference and plug that in as well. Now we should have an equation that looks like this: 90/360= x (our unknown arc length)/ 2π(2.5 cm) -our circumference-. We can then cross multiply and should arrive at an answer of 90(5π) = 360x

which we can further simplify to 450π = 360x. Now all we need is to isolate our x which we can do by dividing both sides by 360 like this: 450π/360 = 360x/360. Finally we arrive at our final answer of about 3.93 cm which is our, now identified, arc length. 

Arc Lengths, AAG,2022

History and Ancestors 

My device combines mechanical clocks, productivity, paintball, and art together to create an ideal “productivity and art clock” targeted towards those who work from home or have more control over their work schedule. We can argue it therefore has many ancestors from the first mechanical clocks in the 14th century to the first ever paintball guns created in the 1960’s. My device will make sure to keep in mind productivity, as backed up by science, by reminding the user with paint and sound that 3 hours have passed and it is either time to take a break or get back to work. This to some degree, if properly followed by the user, will ensure that the user is not overworking themselves and even give them a sense of gratification at the end of the day when they see the art created on their canvas.

Conclusion

In conclusion I enjoyed the process I had to go through in designing my own device. Even though it was a bit stressful, I enjoyed the satisfaction of being able to presenta device that can help others achieve what I too struggle with - being productive.. Being able to make a device that encourages productivity and even rewards the user with what some might call abstract art is a good feeling. I hope you enjoyed reading and following the process with me, until next time!

Citations:

Clément Fournier - Editor in Chief Trained at Sciences Po Bordeaux and at Mines ParisTECH in social, et al. “Should We Get out of Work Earlier to Live Better and Be More Productive?” Youmatter, 10 Feb. 2020, https://youmatter.world/en/schedules-working-days-productivity/