James Steel
Magna-Air Hockey
Wellington College
Year 13 Design and Technology
Full-year 2006
Teacher: Matthew Lane
Client: Karori New World staff
James Steel combined his interests in all things technological with his out-of-school part-time job at a local supermarket. His co-workers asked to him design and build an air hockey table for their staff room. They asked that the table be different from those currently on the market.
James interviewed the staff and explored the market thoroughly. Concepts were explored through sketches, computer aided drawings and models. Alternative materials and processes were considered and trialled.
James's technology teacher, Matthew Lane, says the project was all about juggling interest, technology and materials, and demonstrating how one idea leads to another.
The table uses magnets to change the path of the puck and has inter-changeable table top shapes; both ideas came from group discussions and 'outside the box' thinking. Combining his research with the knowledge gained in his previous technology classes allowed James to choose the most appropriate materials to be used and understand how each choice would have an effect on the final product.
Matthew Lane says it was essential James planned each stage of the construction process carefully as excluding key components could have been done easily.
"The whole process is a particularly good example of how James has rationalised each stage to guarantee an excellent technological solution."
Building the prototype required James to make accurate joints to ensure the table retained its shape and strength. James named his finished project, a 'magna-air hockey table'.
"It works really well and both my client and I are really pleased with the way it has turned out; however, I am already thinking of ways of improving it, and making modifications to the project."
Related links: Size is No Object case study
