Stage 5 - Developing Ideas 3/2/10

Here I drew a to scale design of the orrery using a pencil, ruler and a pair of compasses:

This morning Jas and I have drawn a to scale birds eye view of the base. We have also decided on materials and layouts. We are having an MDF wooden base as its readily available, relatively inexpensive, has a smooth face and it is eco-friendly. On top of the base, we will have black acrylic and concentric circles which make the planets able to fully orbit the Sun. We have also ordered the wooden balls of various sizes which should come within 2 weeks.

I need to learn to divide the work given so Jas or I aren't working much more than the other, or taking it in turns for a one person job. Having of done this this morning, I feel we could of got more work done. However, I thought to write down everything that needs to be done in order for the orrery to be finished and wrote it down. Between us, we are going to try and assign different aspects of making the orrery to different hours/weeks. That way, we will be more organised and prepared.

This afternoon, we hope to cut out the black acrylic on the laser cutter using the measurements from this morning, and if we have time to cut the wood also with the laser cutter. Next week we have 1 hour and during that hour (if the wooden balls haven't arrived) I want to cut the dowels to size, but if they have arrived, then I hope to drill holes into the balls so the dowels will fit inside the 'planets'.

During half term, Jas and I need to buy some paint to decorate the planets with. I have researched on the internet what colours we need to buy and that most paints will work on wood.