Derek's Flash Drive

By Derek Denehy | Wednesday, April 24, 2024

When assigned this project, I initially decided to use the standard base for my flash drive and began to brainstorm ideas for a unique top design. I considered three main options: an airplane, a car key fob, and a full car. Given our current skills, I leaned towards the airplane, assuming it would be the simplest to machine due to the complex machining required for both the car and the key fob.

However, my decision shifted upon learning about the Cast Party project, where we would have the opportunity to cast objects in pewter. Realizing that casting could overcome the machining challenges associated with the car design, I decided to create a pewter-cast car for the top of my flash drive.

Using the dimensions given by the base drawing, the dimensions for where my text engraving would be placed was determined and entered into the programmable CNC mill. I determined that I wanted to put the model name of my car “MX-5” as well as the word “Drive” serving to create a multilayer pun connecting the purpose of the flash drive as well as the main function of the car that will sit on the top of it, as well as creating a rhyme. Below is a video documenting this process.

After completing both the base and the top from my cast project, I had to assemble the hard drive by inserting the internal USB drive into the case and placing the cast car on top. Then I secured them together with 4 1/8 inch screws, which conveniently resemble tires.

After creating the base and assembling the flash drive, I have learned a lot about the different processes in machining. I got to experience the capabilities of computers to instruct large machines based on instructions given by files or software. I learned about reading dimensions from an engineering drawing and utilizing them to make advancements to a determined base design. Lastly, for this component of the project, I learned about different screw sizes to make my cast compatible with my hard drive base.