| How to Design a Transforming Robot Posted: 31 May 2016 05:00 PM PDT This is a formulaic method of creating an original transformer design. This strategy will create a robot mode of given proportions with a randomized distribution of vehicle mode parts from a given vehicle mode. Designing a transformer with this method takes around 10-20 minutes per part and results in a simplistic layout design that can possibly be further refined. - Choose an alternate mode for the transformer. Referencing can be done on the internet, though a real life reference will work better as front, right and top views will need to be drawn of the alternate mode.
- Lay out the top, right and front side views of alternate mode on a piece of graph paper. When drawing the views, it is helpful to draw a box that will encircle each view, and then drawing the view inside. Each view can be an outline of the overall form, save for any separate parts that are desired (In this case, the wheels are drawn separately because they will be independent of other parts in the final design).
- If the design is going to be symmetrical along an axis, then split each view where that axis is relevant, though keep the other side for symmetric parts that will cross the axis. Snapping the drawing to the gridlines of the graph paper can make the drawing easier and will simplify the physical design process later. When laying out each view, use a straightedge to make sure that a feature in one view lines up with the same feature in a different view. It is important that the end drawing is basically a 2D representation of a 3D object.
- Lay out the top, right and front views of the robot skeleton on a separate sheet of graph paper. These views do not need to be much more detailed than stick figures; what is important are the proportions of each line because this will be the guide for the robot mode. robot mode views should take up approximately the same amount of space as the alternate mode views to ensure that the form is used efficiently; a larger skeleton would create a spindly robot and a smaller skeleton would end up with a lot of unused mass.
- The robot skeleton should be drawn to the same scale as the alternate mode on the other piece of paper to ease the transfer of distances later. Making sure each limb lines up to an approximate gridline is also important, as it will make the design phase much easier.
- Choose a piece of the vehicle mode that looks like it could be used in robot mode. This is going to ground the design and create a starting point to develop the transformation from. Using a pencil, outline the form from the vehicle mode in all three views. Redraw this outlined form in the planned place on the robot mode, make sure that the part is the same in both modes (i.e make sure that the same views are visible on both sheets of paper). If the part looks OK, outline it on both sheets in the same color of colored pencil.
- Pick out the next form on the vehicle mode by choosing a limb of the skeleton that is adjacent to the part just chosen. What is most likely already decided is the the height of this part, so the width and length can be set to whatever looks aesthetically desiring and won't occupy the volume of another part. after the basic views of this second part are drawn onto the robot skeleton, place the same part somewhere inside the alternate mode drawings (the piece should be touching the previous part and if it does not line up exactly, follow the steps below to design a hinge
- Design a hinge assembly. Sometimes the part as it is placed in the alternate mode may not line up with it's placement in robot mode. A hinge can be designed that will allow two parts to relate to each other exactly in both robot mode and vehicle mode while still allowing the parts to be connected.
- Draw the two pieces on another piece of paper, the exact same size and the exact same position as they are aligned in the alternate mode. If the pieces only need to be manipulated in one plane of movement, then one view is fine. Otherwise, multiple views of the relation will be required depending on how many planes the part will be rotated across.
- One part will be mobile and the other grounded. Draw a dot to symbolize the axis that the piece will be rotated around and then rotate the piece about that axis (keep in mind that the part should ideally be moved into position with as least rotations as possible). Draw this updated view directly below the first for reference. When rotating about the axis, each point of the part moves in a circle. If any point of the mobile part clips the grounded part, shear the collided section off by drawing a curve from the nearest 90-degree extension from the axis past the point of collision with a red colored pencil; any part colored in red will be the new feature of that section of the part. If the part is now rotated into the correct position, then skip the next step. If not, continue on to the next step.
- Select another point that will be the axis for rotation and rotate the part about that axis. Repeat this step as many times as possible to get the part in position. make sure to record the axis of rotation for each movement.
- Record the position of each axis relative to the mobile and grounded parts (and possibly the other axis) of the first drawing on the third sheet of paper. If there is only one axis point, draw a circle around it that will symbolize the hinge assembly (preferably the diameter of whatever the smallest increment is on the graph paper for simplicity). If there is more than one axis point, draw a single path to the axis points using straight 90-degree lines. If the axis of rotation is located off of both parts at any given point, an extension of one of the parts might need to be drawn in place of an additional assembly. A hinge part is generated by making an eighth-inch border around the part and making the part a quarter inch thick. If more than two axis are used, the hinge assembly will require <the amount of axis points - 1> parts. The hinges will be stacked. Draw the position of the hinge(s) in both the starting and ending assembly. The hinge(s) should be the same shape, size and relation to each other in both assemblies. The hinge assembly will substitute some of the volume in the starting parts, so make sure to account for that.
- Draw the hinge into both the robot mode and vehicle mode views. Use the third page to reference the position of the hinges.
- Continue to add parts to the robot mode by using pieces of the vehicle mode. Make sure to to not use space that is used by another part(This is why there are three views) and use up as much of the alternate mode's mass as possible to minimize extraneous parts. It is OK if not all the mass of the vehicle mode is used up. Outline each new piece with a new color of colored pencil.
- After the robot mode skeleton is completely covered, fill in the vehicle mode by assigning any extra mass to limbs. It is suggested that the vehicle mode layout (and possibly the robot mode layout) be traced to account for the extra design. More hinge assemblies may be required to deal with these parts.
- Produce the design in some way, like a 3D model. Some parts may require further refining and checking, which can be done by redrawing the design and modeling the design in some form. The hinge assemblies are designed to be filled with a small pin the diameter of a paperclip (~ 1/32"). The design may need further development depending on the desired means of production.
- Keep with it. What is probably the hardest thing to do (next to the design process itself) is the ability to be OK with the final product regardless of how it turns out. A transformer's alt mode won't be as accurate as a model of the same thing, and It's robot mode probably won't be as pose able as a general action figure. The key is the compromise, and a design that might fail in some ways can surprise in others.
- Keep the colored pencils sharp
- A mechanical pencil is probably more effective at drafting than a sample one.
- The above 3D design was modeled in Autodesk Inventor. Inventor is free under a student license, as are possibly other 3D design programs. Modeling the parts can be an effective way of helping look at a design, if a computer is on hand.
EditThings You'll Need - Graphing Paper (2-4 sheets recommended)
- Pencil
- Colored Pencils (+12, amount depends on how many unique parts the design will have)
- A straightedge
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| How to Write a Last Minute Essay Posted: 31 May 2016 09:00 AM PDT Although it's much easier to write an essay well ahead of when it's due, many of us leave essays until the last minute, at least once in a while. If you find yourself in this all-too-common situation, stay positive and don't panic - it's possible to write a good essay, even when time is short. EditCreating the Right Environment - Remove or minimize distractions in your workspace. These may include other people, noise, television, music, your phone, and the internet.
- Temporarily block websites that you know might distract you, such as social media websites and apps.
- Some people prefer to use earplugs to block or reduce out any ambient noise.
- Let others around you know that you have to work on an assignment and would appreciate not being disturbed.
- Call off anything you'd plan to do otherwise. Explain that you have a last minute essay to finish. Be persistent if people try to pull you away from your work: "I'd go out if I could, but I HAVE to finish this essay. Maybe tomorrow?"
- Prepare your workspace for writing. Wherever you are working to write the essay, make sure it is clear of clutter and is comfortable. Just don't take things too far. You're trying to make your workspace conducive to writing, but if you find yourself trying to deep clean your entire house before you write your essay, you're probably just procrastinating. [1]
- Gather whatever materials you will need to write the essay. This includes any textbooks, notes, articles, research, etc., as well as your computer and/or writing utensils.
- If you have any other things that help you write, like snacks or coffee, have those easily available as well. You'll need to stay energized and comfortable throughout the writing process.
- Take a deep breath. Once you have everything you need to start writing, take a moment to focus before you begin. Breathe in, and try to focus your mind on the essay you are about to write. Motivate yourself by thinking about how you are now ready to tackle the task of writing, rather than stressing about how you don't have enough time: "I can do this. I've got everything I need in front of me. I just need to focus for X amount of time, and then I'll be through with this essay."
- Work extra hard to focus if you're planning on writing late into the night. Pulling an "all nighter" is not recommended when trying to write an essay, as it can leave you exhausted and your work seeming unfocused. If you are in a situation where you have to do this, however, a few guidelines will help you to do the best you can:[2]
- Save caffeine for when you really need it. Try to avoid having too much early on in the process, because caffeine will eventually cause you to mentally "crash."
- Don't get too comfortable. Write in a place that means "work" to you, such as a desk, study room, or library. Try not to get in your pajamas or lie in bed. You'll want to keep your mind on writing, not drifting off to sleep.
- Get some exercise now and then. Get up from your work to walk around for a few minutes, or do a few pushups, etc. once in a while while working on your essay. A little bit of exercise will help keep you energized and stay focused.
- Get plenty of sleep the next day. You will need to recover from your lack of sleep.
EditPrewriting - Start by reading the assignment. Look over any prompt or guidelines you have for writing the essay very carefully. Sometimes fully understanding the assignment is half the battle.[3] You will want to make sure you follow any instructions you are given regarding the length, format, and content of the essay. Usually, the keys to writing a great essay are there in the prompt.
- For example, if you are writing for a literature class and a prompt asks you to "illustrate your argument with specific evidence," you'll know that means the essay will need to quote directly from the text you are reading.
- Make an outline. Choose a style you prefer (bullet points, a diagram, brief sentences, etc.). The outline doesn't necessarily have to be very extensive, but at the very least you should jot down the main points you think your essay will make.[4]
- When making your outline, work closely with the texts or research you will use to write the essay. Look for key points and quotations that you think you might incorporate into the essay, and make a note of them.
- While it might seem like stopping to make an outline will eat up precious time, it will actually help you write more efficiently and clearly.[5] Having a few points in mind, and a sense of direction, will keep the essay from rambling.
- Don't use over-preparation as a way of procrastinating. This is especially the case if you are working on a paper that requires research or outside readings. It is tempting to put off the actual writing of the essay by doing more research, but the preparation has to come to an end so you can begin your work.[6] You can always come back to your research while you are writing or revising if you think you need to incorporate more.
EditCrafting a Strong Thesis - Consider what the main point of your essay will be. Many rushed papers lack a strong thesis.[7] Spending extra time focusing your main objective will result in a stronger essay. What question will your essay address?
- Sometimes, an essay prompt gives you a specific question to answer, and sometimes you are asked to develop your own, so read your assignment directions carefully. Whatever the case, your thesis is your specific answer to the question.
- Formulate a thesis that is arguable. This means that you will be working to convince your reader of your point by providing evidence to back it up.[8] Write out your thesis when you are making your outline. If it sounds like too obvious of a point, revise it until it seems more arguable. A thesis is more than a topic or statement of fact.
- "United States government" is an example of a topic or subject.
- "The United States government is comprised of three branches: the legislative, the judicial, and the executive" is a statement of fact.
- "The structural division of the United States government into the legislative, judicial, and executive branches is responsible for the long-term stability of the nation" is an example of a thesis because it would leave a reader expecting you to explain further. They might wonder, for example, why you think the branches of the government are responsible for the nation's stability, as opposed to economic or cultural factors, and you essay has the opportunity to explain and answer this.
- Choose a thesis that is appropriate to your assignment type. There are several kinds of theses. For example, an expository thesis explains something to readers, while an analytical thesis breaks down a topic into parts and evaluates them. Even an essay based on a narrative (story) will benefit from a clear thesis.[9] Read your prompt or assignment sheet carefully to understand which kind of thesis you need for your essay.
- A prompt that asks you to "Evaluate the relationship between the branches of the United States government," for example, seeks an analytical thesis. On the other hand, a prompt that asks you to "Describe the process by which the United States government was divided into three branches" is asking you to narrate a sequence of events.
EditWriting the First Draft - Begin with the introduction. The introduction is a very important part of an essay—perhaps the most important—because it orients your reader and explains your argument.[10] For the first draft, however, don't agonize over it. You just need to begin writing. The introduction doesn't have to be perfect in the first draft, because you can come back and edit it later. Get something down, and it will help you move confidently forward.
- When you are pressed for time, don't worry too much about writing a creative introduction--just try to write one that is clear and focused. If you have time left at the end, you can come back and try to improve it.
- A simple but effective plan is to make sure that your introduction states your essay's thesis, and gives an overview of what the subsequent paragraphs or sections will discuss. Your outline will help you do this. A simple version of this would look something like "In this essay, I will first describe X, before moving on to Y and Z. Then, I will explain the relationship between X,Y, and Z, demonstrating that [insert thesis statement here]."
- Follow your outline. Take the writing of the essay bit by bit, following the outline you made. This will keep your writing on track, and keeping your plan in mind will encourage you to keep going.
- Don't get caught up worrying about word choice, spelling, etc. If you're wavering between describing Shakespeare as a "great" writer, or "the greatest," for example, just pick one for now and move on.You'll be able to deal with such things when you do a final read-through of the essay. When time is short, you will write more productively, and keep your morale up, if you keep pushing through with more writing. [11]
- Cite any works you use as a reference or for quotations. If you are quoting another work, cite it according to the style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) your instructor wants you to use. Even if you are just paraphrasing a work, you should cite it. If you don't properly cite your sources, you are plagiarizing. As a rule of thumb, if you got an idea or information from a source outside of your own head, you should cite it.[12]
- It is far easier to cite while you are writing than to go back and try to add in citations after you have written your paper. Keep up with them as you go.
- Pace yourself. While you have to work quickly, take a short break from writing now and then, especially if you get stuck—just don't get distracted and take too long.
- Some prefer to take scheduled breaks, by setting a timer or watching a clock. Others prefer to take a break after reaching a convenient stopping point, such as the end of a paragraph or page. Whatever method you choose, make a note of where to pick back up when you return to writing.[13]
- Take a breath, get up, have a drink or snack. By taking a short break, you're not wasting time—you're actually helping yourself write more efficiently by clearing your head and relieving stress.[14]
EditReviewing your Work - Reevaluate your essay's thesis and argument. Look back over your essay and make sure one last time that your thesis makes sense and is arguable, and that your writing supports it. [15]
- Editing at the end is a critically important step.[16] While it can be tempting to consider yourself done once you have a draft, you can greatly improve your essay (and eventual grade) if you take some time to review it and make any necessary changes.
- Review your essay's structure, organization, and style. Make sure your paragraphs proceed in a logical way; move them around if they don't. Now is also the time to go back and edit any of your sentences for word choice, clarity, and grammar.
- Focus your editing if you are running out of time. If you're really pressed for time, then probably the most beneficial things you can do to improve your essay are to make a reverse outline and to revise your introduction.[17]
- A reverse outline is a great, quick strategy to check the logic of your essay's structure.[18] To do this, you create an outline from your finished draft, jotting down the main ideas of your essay paragraph by paragraph. The result will look much like an outline you would create before writing an essay, but you can use it to double-check your finished product.
- Editing your introduction can clarify your thesis and make your essay stronger. While you made your outline and began writing your essay with a certain idea of what your thesis or "point" was, that idea probably changed at least slightly as you wrote the essay itself. Go back to the intro after you have finished a draft of the essay and make any changes to the wording of your thesis based on what the rest of the essay says (the reverse outline will help figure this out).
- Proofread your work. At the final stage of writing, do a quick check of your essay for any remaining spelling and grammatical errors.
- Electronic spelling and grammar checkers can help you out, but don't rely on them to do all the work. Always do a read-through before submitting your work.
- The most efficient technique for catching mistakes is to read your work out loud.[19]
- Get someone you know and trust to proofread your work, if you can. A pair of fresh eyes can catch mistakes you might have overlooked.
- Submit your work on time. Print the essay if you need to. If you are submitting electronically, do everything you can to make sure the file type is correct and the file was received.
- If you are worried about meeting an assignment's length requirement, you can try writing longer sentences with more adjectives, or using more quotations. Do so sparingly, however, because over-reliance on these techniques will lower the quality of your work.
- Another technique to meet an assignment's length requirement is to enlarge an essay's font, margins, or line spacing slightly. Be aware that you instructor might notice the difference, however.
- Whatever you do, don't plagiarize. The consequences can be severe. Turning in even a lower quality essay is better than being caught for plagiarizing one. If you are truly pressed for time, you can also try asking your instructor for an extension of the assignment's due date, anyway.
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| How to Breed Canaries Posted: 31 May 2016 01:00 AM PDT Canaries are wonderful birds to keep in your home because they are easy to care for and relatively content being alone.[1] However, one thing about canaries is not completely simple and that is breeding them. Breeding canaries requires some advance planning, specialized equipment, specific food, and luck. Breeding these birds the proper way is important because it ensures a stress-free environment for them, as well as a greater chance of producing offspring. If you plan to breed canaries, only do so if you can look after all the resulting chicks if they don't find homes. EditPreparing for Your Canaries to Mate - Purchase breeding supplies. In addition to the basic supplies you should already have for your birds, you will need a large cage for the canaries to breed in, a nest for the female to lay its eggs in, and nesting material the female will use to build up the nest.[2] You may also need a light to shine on the cage if your region is getting less than 14 hours of light each day.
- There are special breeding cages available that first allow the male and female canary to become accustomed to one another without allowing contact. These cages have a divider down the middle that can be removed when you are ready to allow your canaries to mate.[3]
- Nests for breeding canaries are available from specialty pet supply providers. If you buy a pre-made nest, you will also need to buy your canaries some nesting material that they can add to the pre-made nest.
- Keep canaries separated until time to breed. Unless actively breeding, canaries must be kept in their own cages. Males tend to fight and a male might kill the female if she is not ready to breed. Their cages can, however, be kept in the same room.
- Watch for signs that the canaries are in "condition," which means they are ready to breed. Breeding usually occurs in the Spring. Canaries like to breed when the temperature is around 70 degrees and there are about 14 hours of light. These conditions can be replicated indoors, in order to promote breeding. Male and female canaries act differently when they are ready to breed.
- Male canaries will usually come into condition before the female. Signs that they're ready to mate include dropping their wings when they sing and singing harsher and louder songs. They may also dance around on their perch and be more territorial when other males are nearby.
- Females will most often begin to tear paper, as if readying a nest, when they come into condition. The most certain sign of their readiness, however, is when their vent appears red and swollen. They may also raise their tails and appear to squat when males are nearby.
- Place the male and female canaries near each other, but not in the same cage.[4] Put their cages side by side or place both birds in a special breeding cage that has a central divider. This will get the birds used to each other and their behavior with each other will tell you if they are ready to mate.
- Add a nest to the female's side of the breeding cage. If you are just using a large cage instead of a breeding cage, simply place the nest in the female's cage. Once the female has begun adding nesting material to her nest, it is a sign that she is getting ready to mate.[5]
- Feed a proper diet. Nesting canaries should be fed a proper diet that consists of enriched seed, soft food, and additional calcium from a few weeks before breeding until they are done feeding their chicks.[6] A cuttle-bone or grit is recommended to give the hen the additional calcium required for producing healthy eggs. These speciality foods are available through pet supply companies.
EditBreeding Your Canaries - Place the canaries together once there are signs that the canaries are ready to breed. This can be indicated by kissing between the canaries and the female beginning to putting nesting material in the nest.[7] If both are in condition, your male and female canaries will begin to "kiss" through the bars of the wire partition by touching beaks. Kissing may happen right away or it may take a few days after you place the canaries near each other. Once they are ready to breed, you can put them in the same cage.
- Watch for any fighting. If they begin to fight, separate them immediately and watch for signs that they're still both in condition. However, mating can be relatively aggressive, so be sure that you are not witnessing breeding instead of regular fighting.
- Watch for breeding behavior. This will begin with the male courting the female canary. Once she is ready, she will crouch down, signaling her willingness. The male will then mount the female is short, successive bursts.[8]
- Look for eggs in the nest. The female canary can lay anywhere from 2 to 6 eggs.[9] The female will lay one egg a day, usually in the morning. It typically takes 14 days for canary chicks to hatch. They should hatch without any assistance.
- Keep the chicks with the male and female canaries until they begin eating on their own, usually they are around 3 weeks of age.[10] At first the mother canary will stay with the babies all the time and the father will bring the mother food. Then, gradually, the father will take over feeding the chicks, making sure that they get enough to eat.[11] Once the chicks begin eating on their own and are fully fledged, meaning their wing feathers have developed enough to fly, you may remove them to their own cage.
- At this point you should also separate the parents again as well.
- Canaries are not normally social birds, so just placing a male and female bird in the same cage when they are not ready to mate is more likely to result in disaster than in eggs. You need to be very sure that your birds are ready to mate when you introduce them to each other.
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