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Unread 12-01-2004, 17:28
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Re: Hanging vs. Manipulating 2x balls

Quote:
Originally Posted by KenWittlief
it will be interesting to see how many teams try this

because having one mechanism that performs two functions violates one of the Golden Rules Of Engineering (GROE)

"a subsytem should have ONE function, and be optimized to perform that function"

[OMIT]...[/OMIT]
The key word is FUNCTION and not necessarily ONE. A ramp in the sidewalk has one function, but it has many uses. The function is---simply---a ramp, but folks with wheelchairs use it, as do Coke delivery men with dollys, as do Segway's that must cross the road.

My intent here is that if you define your one function properly, it can have multiple applications. Function does not necessarily have to be defined as hanging or ball removal. That could be the application.

To continue with the analogy, if the function of a ramp in the side of the road was to allow Coke delivery men to move their cokes from a truck to the machines in a building, the ramp would only need to be wide enough for a typical dolly. Unfortunately, a wheel chair or Segway wouldn't fit up such a narrow ramp.

I know this analogy is simplicistic, but I hope it highlights my point.
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