Kevin Rustagi

Photo:  The main project of an advanced course in Mechanical Engineering at MIT.  There is nothing like true hands-on learning. 

Still refining this project for 2.008 - design for manufacturing II. My sub-team did the outer (now purple) ring. It took forever, but a lot of fun.  I'll post a more detailed look at the process later on.  Just suffice it say that molds (made of aluminum) were made and remade.  There were some tears and some sleepless CAD'ing  (Computer Aided Design/Drafting), but those tears have now become tears of joy! 

We will still have to refine the exact manufacturing process and do some tweaks, but we have crossed the chasm!

If you look closely you'll be able to see where the m and m's will come out.

This is just one side, but once finished, the whole yoyo will look like an m & m. Injection molding manufacturing + hours and hours of design and redesign at
MIT = awesome.

Yoyo Operation notes:  The yoyo will release m&m's when the clear piece is twisted so that the holes align, and then the yoyo is shaken.  Shown here, again, is half of the yoyo.

Taking this class in conjunction with my new business, Laser Kard has been interesting as well as there are many lessons on packaging, integrated design, and design for manufacture as a whole. 

Quotes from Prof. Sanjay Sarma:

- "Inventory = Death (Skull and Crossbones Picture)" 

-"Variation is the Root of all Evil."

More later from MIT.  Excited to have the 3rd show of the Concert Series coming up and I'm working on some new songs with my own band as well.