Exploring/ Finding the Problem (PS3 CONTROLLER)

So I dont really use my Playstation, its been a while since i last picked it up and one huge reason for that is because my controller was incredibly messed up. I would press 'x' to jump and it would crouch instead. 
So one day i decide to learn about the mechanics of this system enable to fix my controller.

This is an exploded view of the Playstation controller. as you can see there are different layers to deal with. one that holds everything together, another is the control board/ motherboard where all data travels. Ill show you my own controller.

Partial front inside view
to your left. the white rubber pads on the bottom are 
to hold the buttons inside the slots but yet allow for the buttons to be pushed.
I later find out that the green plastic sheet (which is the KEYPAD CONTACT) was actually loose and needed to be attached to the adapter which connects to the control board













To youre right a partial rear view of the controller.
that is where the control board is containing the chip
and holding together the rest of the layers.

This is a picture of all the pieces taken apart. in the bottom is the batter.

I cleaned out all the pieces of its dust with a Q-Tip and i attached the KEYPAD CONTACT with tape so that it'll hold on to the board. All the buttons now work to its according function.

" Your life is full of wonders which you will never understand unless you open them up and discover the reality within that wonder" 
                                                                                             - Michael Sheer

Engine Diagram (drawn) Small Engine 101

This "Diagram" of the inside of an engine was drawn by your one and only Xavier Zurita (me) haha... This drawing goes into detail with everything involving the piston,cam shaft,connecting rod, etc. etc.... However, this was a great way for me to learn about the engine we find in our everyday car. Drawing it myself helps me dissect and truly analyze the "WHY?" and "HOW?" the machine works. "Why and How" being the two questions an engineer always has to answer are the questions I am beginning to ask myself.

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” 
― Friedrich Nietzsche
                                                                        -Xavier Zurita

 The purpose of a tappet is to apply linear force from one part of a machine, such as a piece in a car's engine, to another part inside that machine. If the two parts were to come into direct contact with each other, it could cause damage to one or both of the parts. It provides the contact between them so that only the amount and direction of force needed to move part of the machine is applied.

You definitely need a fan shroud if your car was equipped with one. The shroud is that plastic or metal funnel shaped piece on the back of the radiator (usually) that covers the entire fan. It acts as a director for the air used to cool the radiator. Without it air that should be doing an efficient job of cooling your radiator fluid can be working at half efficiency or less.











Engines are a complex system that many people nowadays have no clue what their about but use them everyday. Through drawing many of the main components of a small engine i have been able to analyze and dissect every detail of the engine. I would say from this assignment i can disassemble a small engine and re-assemble it on my own which is a fantastic skill to obtain in the path im chasing

Thinking like an Engineer

As a project for my engineering/auto technology class we were assigned to identify a specific problem in the workshop and  find a particular solution that will peoples life easier. Me and my partner Joel discovered that the "air tool" drawer was incredibly disorganized. here's a picture of it.

       What a mess!! From here me and my partner began to "think like an engineer" which is the purpose of this simple but ironically complex assignment. I had a brilliant idea to create a container for one specific tool, this container would have a slot in the exact shape of the tool and a grapple slot to be able to grab it. However, most students have no clue what an air tool is used for!! so we designed a QR code scannable with a smart phone that will automatically lead to a site where you can learn everything about the tool. Here are some picture.

           Now these three picture right here were the start to what it ended up being. the first picture was just a disaster , we the cardboard was dull and weak, it was horribly cut and traced. so we improved it by using stronger cardboard and using a fine edge box cutter , plus, we even sanded the sides for a cleaner look. now the objective was to convert it into a box by attaching walls with tape and glue. However, there was a problem, our hot glue gun broke!! which brought us to a new and very interesting learning experience. Here are the pics.
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                     

Okay so here is the "hot glue gun dilemma" as we tried to apply the glue
on the wall as you see in the first picture , we heard a snap. The jig inside the gun which held the trigger that pushes the gun out had snapped as you see in the
second picture. therefore, we glued the jig back with epoxy and created
a cardboard container which will hold the jig until the epoxy dries.

After this it was smooth sailing. We glued the walls , sanded the edges,
attached the QR code. And additionaly added wooden blocks inside
as support beams , to give this "air tool case" durability. Here are our
long anticipated results!!

                 

 As you can see the QR code is placed, a cut out section to easy access and grabbing,

In this picture you can see how the container is sturdy and
withstands the weight of the air hammer. You can also see the
precise outlined cut in accordance to the shape of the tool.

As I mentioned earlier we installed wooden blocks inside the container for additional support and sturdiness to the container.


All in all this was a great learning experience and definitely a good way to begin to THINK LIKE AN ENGINEER.

                      -special thanks to Mr.Grossinger