Mark J Norton/GVCS Template

=Proposed GVCS Product Template=

Machine Page Template: (one page for every machine) Includes Icon

The template consists of the following sections:


 * 1) Overview
 * 2) Research
 * 3) Design
 * 4) Specifications
 * 5) Bill of Materials
 * 6) Build Instructions
 * 7) Development
 * 8) User Manual
 * 9) How to Buy (optional)

Contents of these sections are defined in the following sections. Where a great deal of information exists on a sub-part, they can be broken out into sub-page(s) and linked appropriately.

=Overview=

The Overview Page is intended to be starting page of the GVCS project description. It should contain high level information about the project, what problems its solves, descriptions of features, rationales, etc. It includes a detailed project status that is summarized in the GVCS Tools Status.


 * Problem Statement - What Problems does this Tool Solve?
 * High Level Description
 * Rational for this Tool
 * Product Ecology - How it Relates to Other GVCS Tools
 * Schedule - Milestones met, Future Goals
 * Project Status
 * Demo Video (once built)
 * Product Pictures (once built)
 * Link to Index Page

=Research=

The research section (pages) captures background theory, conceptual background, links to similar projects and other work. Anything information that informs the design and supports development should be included in these pages.


 * Theory
 * Interesting Links
 * Relevant Work
 * Conceptual Notes

=Design=

Design is the process of deciding what specifically shall be built. It is based on the current understanding of the requirements (documented here) and includes descriptive text, various drawings and diagrams, and an exploration of the trade-offs and choices among alternatives.


 * Requirements
 * Speed
 * Throughput
 * Weight
 * Size Constraints
 * Feed stocks
 * Design Description
 * Calculations - energy, efficiency
 * Drawings and Diagrams
 * Concept and Alternatives
 * Full Design Views
 * Cut-away Views
 * Exploded Parts View
 * 3D Renders of the Product
 * Decisions and Alternative Choices

=Specifications=

Specifications include descriptions of all parts, elements, sub-assembles, etc. that make up the GVCS tool. It specifies what parts will be purchased, any modifications to purchased parts, and what parts will be fabricated. Actual fabrication is described in the Build Instructions later.


 * Descriptions of all Parts
 * Parts to be Purchased with Alternatives
 * Parts to be Fabricated
 * Weight of Parts and Total Weight
 * Dimensions of all Parts
 * Safety Considerations
 * Test Protocols

=Bill of Materials=

The bill of materials describes what parts to buy and what to fabricate. Sources of purchased parts is specified here.


 * List of Parts to Buy
 * List of Parts to Fabricate
 * Sources of Parts

=Build Instructions=

The build instructions explain in as much detail as is needed how to fabricate new parts, modify purchased parts, and how to make sub-assemblies, and the full product assembly. Instruction is documented in the form of textual instructions, 2D technical drawings, 3D CAD files, CAM and CRC files (if needed), software (if needed), etc.


 * Fabrication Drawings
 * Fabrication Instructions
 * Fabrication Videos
 * Assembly Instructions
 * Assembly Video
 * 3D CAD files
 * CAM and CRC files
 * Software (if needed)
 * 2D Circuit Board Layouts (if needed)
 * Wiring Diagrams (if needed)
 * Circuit Schematics (if needed)
 * Hydraulic Circuit Diagrams (if needed)

=Development=

Development is the process of gathering resources and building prototypes. It includes a list of the project team and their roles, an overview of industry standards (where they exist), description of how development will be funded, and notes on experiments and prototype development. Ideally it should include an analysis of failure modes. Tests on the prototypes based on testing protocols are recorded. Development is NOT production. It is part of the overall process of creating a new GVCS product.


 * Project Team and Roles
 * Industry Standards
 * Funding
 * Peer Reviews
 * Experiments and Prototypes
 * Experimental Results
 * Prototype Notes, Observations, etc.
 * Failure Mode Analysis
 * Testing Results
 * Recommendations for Improvement

=User Manual=

The user manual describes how to operate the GVCS tool, how to maintain it, what can go wrong, and how to fix it.


 * Overview of how it works, references to theory and research
 * Operation Procedures
 * Maintenance
 * Troubleshooting
 * Repair

=How to Buy=

This section could be eliminated as it has no bearing on the development process.


 * Who supplies it
 * How much does it cost
 * Product Variations (kit, assembled, etc.)
 * Shipping Costs