Assignment 3 - Walkthrough and Report
Introduction
One virtually untouched segment of the PC custimization scene involves server mainframes. Generally, the main requirements of mainframes is not to look nice, but rather is to be reliable. However, due to the advancement in technilogy and production processes, server componants are now becoming more and more realiable when subjected to heavy use and rough environment. This advancement allows the possibility of custimizing server componants without any major impact on the overall realibility of the system.
Thus enters the dawn of Mainframe Enclosure Custimization.
The goal of this project is to develop a system where Mainframe Systems can now be proudly displayed in the foyer or lobby of the company as the centre piece. This is purely aesthetic while retaining the function and reliability of the Mainframe System.
Walkthrough
The main focus of this program is taking predetermined base enclosures (pre-built systems from suppliers), and apply them into a sculpture of any given shape that can either be user designed or randomised by the system.
The user is first prompted to the selection of their desired base system. ie. the individual systems that are to become the pieces of the sculpture. These prebuilt systems are sometimes subject to change, new ones might be added and old ones might be removed. Thus this means that the program itself must be server side to allow ease of global change.
The menu on the right is the global menu for the program. It has quick function to each of the menu in the customization process.
When a mainframe base is decided upon, the user is then sent to the next selection of choices that involves deciding what pre-determined sculptural shape they want the mainframe to look like. A custom option is also available, however this will increase the final cost of the Mainframe. The little arrow on the left bottom indicates more options available, its similar in operation to scrolling down.
The sculpture structure is what determines the final "shape" of the mainframe system. The "Base" computers or the individual systems chosen from part 1, are stacked accordingly modularly to produce the final shape of the mainframe system. It is on the same idea of pixels, where smaller squares when combined into a larger body creates a different shape.
This screen is accessible when "Custom Structure" is chosen. This is where the CAD drawing begins. If the user is not familiar with CAD drawing, it is recommended that they either choose from the pre-determined shapes or use the "randomised option", and also the option of faxing to the company their own drawing and discussing the courses of action over the phone.
The CAD function of this page is straight forward:
- The amount of view panels can be chosen using the drop down meny at the middle top of the screen.
- The view angle of each panel can be changed via the drop down menu at the bottom of each panel.
- The first tool from the left at the bottom of the screen is the simple "select" tool.
- The next one is the brush tool, this is for curves in the structure.
- The one after that is the line tool, for the straight lines of the structure.
- The last tool is the simple "eraser" tool.
The important part to remember here is that the shape drawn is the "outline" of the final shape for the mainframe system.
The final option in this screen is the "randomise" button. This involves using a random generating system to create physically sound shapes that are governed by gravity and stability. Any program can be employed for this generating purpose. Most likely combination is using context free to create random blobs of geometric shapes and importing those data into processing for determining which generated shapes are suitable for real world applications (processing will have the gravity and stability physics written into it).
The final process of this customization is reached after hitting that "Generate" button in the global menu. This is where the program does all the background processing, fitting in the base systems into the sculptured shape. The "stacking" method can be governed also by physics, ensuring none of the componants are "floating" in mid air. The sytem trys to find the best and most suitable ways to stack the base systems thus to fill in the sculpted shape completely.
The user is also required to prompt the system how many systems they want (the default is 6). Upon the input of a new number the system quickly re-generates the "stacking" again to best fit the shape. The output infomation for the user includes statistics in the "max height", "max width", "max depth" (Generic rectagular room) of the final sculpture. This is allows for the client to consider whether the final system will fit in the desinated location of the mainframe in their company. Further information regarding the dimensions of the mainframe can be found when clicking on the "Show all dimensions". This will display on screen around the sculpture each of the outer dimensions of the shape, thus giving the client a more indepth information regarding the sculpture size.
The next screen "Simulation and Statistics" is the complicated part of the program. This is where the system will simulate and record thermal dynamic properties of the sculpture when subjected to a given ambient temperature inputed by the client. The airflow and thermal simulation is to check if tehre is any dead spots in the final sculpture which might result in the overheating of internal componants of the systems.
The client is recommeded that the cooler the better, the maximum temperature outputed at the top left of the screen is the most important value. If this value surpasses a given threshold (usually around the temeprature electronic devices start to fail, around 130+ degrees), the program will notify the client to re-generate the mainframe shape, or completely redo the sculpture shape.
If all is successful, the client is then prompted to a statistical screen involving all the informations such as dimensions, number of systems, etc. Most importantly this screen will also give a price for the system. A method of accurately determining this value is still to be found, thus the values right now will most likely reflect a "rough estimate" of the final price of the produce. Most likely a factory staff will call the client back to notify him of the actual final cost and possibly improvements to the sculpture if required.
Generation and Customization Parts
Some parts of the program involves generation and customization.
Small degrees of customization is availible at first during the selection of the mainframe bases, and pre-determined sculpture shapes. Large customization is availible during the drawing of custom sculpture shapes. This is where the user is allowed to draw any 3D shapes they want. Ofcourse production cost would increase then, but with the decrease in cost with lazer cutting and aluminium rolling, mass customization of simple shapes using some of these prduction methods can be achieved at a relatively affordable price.
Generation process is achieved while the program automates the "stacking" of the bases into the sculpture shape. It happens entirely in the background, the program finds the most suitable ways to "fit" predetermined shapes from the database into the sculpture. This can be achieved with the combination of Context Free and Programming, or other similar programs.
Other forms involving coding and also the most complicated is the "similation" process of the program. This is where all real world data and complex thermal dynamic maths is applied to produce a final result in whether the mainframe shape is suitable and realiable when in operation. The calculation process for this generally is very complex so most likely, super computers or clusters are required in this part of the program, thus further resulting in the program been entirely server side.
One virtually untouched segment of the PC custimization scene involves server mainframes. Generally, the main requirements of mainframes is not to look nice, but rather is to be reliable. However, due to the advancement in technilogy and production processes, server componants are now becoming more and more realiable when subjected to heavy use and rough environment. This advancement allows the possibility of custimizing server componants without any major impact on the overall realibility of the system.
Thus enters the dawn of Mainframe Enclosure Custimization.
The goal of this project is to develop a system where Mainframe Systems can now be proudly displayed in the foyer or lobby of the company as the centre piece. This is purely aesthetic while retaining the function and reliability of the Mainframe System.
Walkthrough
The main focus of this program is taking predetermined base enclosures (pre-built systems from suppliers), and apply them into a sculpture of any given shape that can either be user designed or randomised by the system.
The user is first prompted to the selection of their desired base system. ie. the individual systems that are to become the pieces of the sculpture. These prebuilt systems are sometimes subject to change, new ones might be added and old ones might be removed. Thus this means that the program itself must be server side to allow ease of global change.
The menu on the right is the global menu for the program. It has quick function to each of the menu in the customization process.
When a mainframe base is decided upon, the user is then sent to the next selection of choices that involves deciding what pre-determined sculptural shape they want the mainframe to look like. A custom option is also available, however this will increase the final cost of the Mainframe. The little arrow on the left bottom indicates more options available, its similar in operation to scrolling down.
The sculpture structure is what determines the final "shape" of the mainframe system. The "Base" computers or the individual systems chosen from part 1, are stacked accordingly modularly to produce the final shape of the mainframe system. It is on the same idea of pixels, where smaller squares when combined into a larger body creates a different shape.
This screen is accessible when "Custom Structure" is chosen. This is where the CAD drawing begins. If the user is not familiar with CAD drawing, it is recommended that they either choose from the pre-determined shapes or use the "randomised option", and also the option of faxing to the company their own drawing and discussing the courses of action over the phone.
The CAD function of this page is straight forward:
- The amount of view panels can be chosen using the drop down meny at the middle top of the screen.
- The view angle of each panel can be changed via the drop down menu at the bottom of each panel.
- The first tool from the left at the bottom of the screen is the simple "select" tool.
- The next one is the brush tool, this is for curves in the structure.
- The one after that is the line tool, for the straight lines of the structure.
- The last tool is the simple "eraser" tool.
The important part to remember here is that the shape drawn is the "outline" of the final shape for the mainframe system.
The final option in this screen is the "randomise" button. This involves using a random generating system to create physically sound shapes that are governed by gravity and stability. Any program can be employed for this generating purpose. Most likely combination is using context free to create random blobs of geometric shapes and importing those data into processing for determining which generated shapes are suitable for real world applications (processing will have the gravity and stability physics written into it).
The final process of this customization is reached after hitting that "Generate" button in the global menu. This is where the program does all the background processing, fitting in the base systems into the sculptured shape. The "stacking" method can be governed also by physics, ensuring none of the componants are "floating" in mid air. The sytem trys to find the best and most suitable ways to stack the base systems thus to fill in the sculpted shape completely.
The user is also required to prompt the system how many systems they want (the default is 6). Upon the input of a new number the system quickly re-generates the "stacking" again to best fit the shape. The output infomation for the user includes statistics in the "max height", "max width", "max depth" (Generic rectagular room) of the final sculpture. This is allows for the client to consider whether the final system will fit in the desinated location of the mainframe in their company. Further information regarding the dimensions of the mainframe can be found when clicking on the "Show all dimensions". This will display on screen around the sculpture each of the outer dimensions of the shape, thus giving the client a more indepth information regarding the sculpture size.
The next screen "Simulation and Statistics" is the complicated part of the program. This is where the system will simulate and record thermal dynamic properties of the sculpture when subjected to a given ambient temperature inputed by the client. The airflow and thermal simulation is to check if tehre is any dead spots in the final sculpture which might result in the overheating of internal componants of the systems.
The client is recommeded that the cooler the better, the maximum temperature outputed at the top left of the screen is the most important value. If this value surpasses a given threshold (usually around the temeprature electronic devices start to fail, around 130+ degrees), the program will notify the client to re-generate the mainframe shape, or completely redo the sculpture shape.
If all is successful, the client is then prompted to a statistical screen involving all the informations such as dimensions, number of systems, etc. Most importantly this screen will also give a price for the system. A method of accurately determining this value is still to be found, thus the values right now will most likely reflect a "rough estimate" of the final price of the produce. Most likely a factory staff will call the client back to notify him of the actual final cost and possibly improvements to the sculpture if required.
Generation and Customization Parts
Some parts of the program involves generation and customization.
Small degrees of customization is availible at first during the selection of the mainframe bases, and pre-determined sculpture shapes. Large customization is availible during the drawing of custom sculpture shapes. This is where the user is allowed to draw any 3D shapes they want. Ofcourse production cost would increase then, but with the decrease in cost with lazer cutting and aluminium rolling, mass customization of simple shapes using some of these prduction methods can be achieved at a relatively affordable price.
Generation process is achieved while the program automates the "stacking" of the bases into the sculpture shape. It happens entirely in the background, the program finds the most suitable ways to "fit" predetermined shapes from the database into the sculpture. This can be achieved with the combination of Context Free and Programming, or other similar programs.
Other forms involving coding and also the most complicated is the "similation" process of the program. This is where all real world data and complex thermal dynamic maths is applied to produce a final result in whether the mainframe shape is suitable and realiable when in operation. The calculation process for this generally is very complex so most likely, super computers or clusters are required in this part of the program, thus further resulting in the program been entirely server side.
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