Introduction to InkScape
After our last week in class having an introduction to the electronics end of our physical therapy watch now we got to work on the watch its self. Firstly, to do this we needed to work on our software skills so we could design the watch. That is when we were introduced to InkScape. InkScape is a program the allows us to model our prints in 2D instead of 3D. This is important because for the laser cutters that we would be using in the FabLab we need to be able to model in 2D for the cutters to understand. After a quick tutorial on the basics of InkScape we were tasked on creating our watch face so the user would be able to know if the watch function was set to measure “twists” or “curls”.
For this, I saw many of my classmate making elaborate text and designs to represent the different functions. I decided when tackling this problem I wanted to make my design as simple as possible. Therefore, I rastered two notched on my watch face so the user could know when its set to twist. The reason I decided to this was that since the product only has two functions I felt the user would gage fairly quickly if it wasn’t in twist mode, it’d be in curl mode.
Introduction to Sewing
One of the coolest things about the FabLab is all the different and creative ways that they can teach us to make the cool amazing products. From the beginning of the semester, I though this course would be respricted to just 3D printing, but what ive noticed is that even 3D printing has its limitations.
After, our introduction to InkScape and creating our watch faces, we moved onto making our straps for the watch. This was really cool because I hadn’t been on a sewing machine since 7th grade so it was awesome relearning this really cool skill. We cut, ironed, sewed, and attached velcro to our staps so we could later attach them to our watches next week.
Meeting with Milestone Labs
We had a very interesting meeting with Milestone Labs. From the week before we felt very prepared as we came to class with 4 separate prototypes to show them. Although they liked our design and I fell like they were impressed with our work the gave us great points of criticism. They first challenged us to go take a deeper look as to what was in the market already. Although we have talked with 2 users of the C-Leg, we really didn’t have too much of an idea of the competitive products in the industry. Secondly, they challegended us to think of what type of material we would be using. Although it feels early in the process the material we choose is a vital part of the success of our project.
After our meeting, we were lucky enough to get the time and speak with Jenna about the comments we heard and to try out our prototypes. After some trials, Jenna gave us some more great advice as to how we could improve our products. We deliberated some more and came to an idea that would be lightweight and be fully protective of the leg and knee area. We had an idea where the guard would latch on the mack of Jenna’s leg and the top of her knee. This design would allow for the product to be protective, lightweight and give Jenna a full range of motion.
Jenna trying Prototypes 
New guard idea 
Potential design idea
Laser Cutting
Later in the day Wednesday, I returned to the FabLab to laser print my watch face. This was really cool and it provided me a really unique experience to use a laser cutter. There were a few specific specifications I had to make to calibrate the laser cutter but with some help I was able to figure it out. It was a really quick and cool experience and I hope we get to use this technology at some point in our project.
My name is Ryan Kane, and I am a senior graduating in the spring of 2019 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business. I have a double major is both Supply Chain Management and Information Systems and Information Technology.
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