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Capstone Specification Builder

Run the Capstone Specification Builder MicroSim Fullscreen

This sketch is built on the FanPedia MicroSim kit. To run it in the p5.js editor, add the ../shared-libs/ files it loads (fanpedia-sim.css, fanpedia-core.js, fanpedia-p5.js), or their published URLs, to the editor's index.html before pasting ch27-capstone-specification-builder.js. The .csb-desc style for the description box is in this sim's main.html.

About This MicroSim

The builder walks you through the chapter's dryer exhaust fan decision by decision: 20,000 ACFM at 12.0 in. wg, 500°F gas at sea level, moderately sticky, abrasive, combustible wood dust, reduced flow during warm-up, spring isolators on a mezzanine, an outlet duct that leaves the top of the fan horizontally to the right (viewed from the drive side), a 70°F cold start, a selected speed of 1,450 RPM, 96.0 BHP cold and 53.0 BHP hot (illustrative values from the chapter's worked example).

You choose an option for each of ten attributes and write a one-sentence justification beside it:

# Attribute Options
1 Impeller / model RTF radial tip; RBO open radial paddle; HIB backward curved; HAF airfoil
2 Arrangement 1; 4; 8; 9; 9F
3 Drive Belt drive; direct coupled at 1,780 RPM without VFD; direct coupled with VFD set to 1,450 RPM
4 Rotation and discharge CW THD; CCW THD; CW UBD; CCW BHD
5 Motor 60 HP; 75 HP; 100 HP; 125 HP
6 Temperature package None; to 300°F; to 500°F (grease, bearings, shaft seal, shaft cooler); to 600°F
7 Spark resistance None; AMCA Type A; AMCA Type B; AMCA Type C
8 Abrasion protection None; welded 7-gauge scroll liner; bolt-on scroll liner
9 Flow control None; parallel blade outlet damper with actuator; nested inlet vanes
10 Base and isolation Unitary base, no isolators; isolation base with spring isolators and flex connectors; spring isolators without flex connectors

Check specification evaluates all fifteen violation rules and four advisories together and lists every triggered message beside its attribute. A violation (✗, red dashed border) blocks completion; an advisory (ℹ) does not. Rules that join two attributes are listed beside one of them: the 9F rule (no valid 9F design exists on isolators) beside the arrangement, the arrangement-and-drive rules beside the drive, and the turndown rule beside flow control. Nothing is revealed before you choose.

The specification is complete when all ten attributes are chosen, all ten justifications contain text and the check reports zero violations. The sim then says "Specification complete: ten attributes, zero conflicts, n checks." and composes the complete fan description in the format of the chapter's worked example, followed by your justifications, in a box you can select or copy with Copy description. Checks are unlimited; the number of checks needed and your justifications are recorded, not scored.

Some fixes cascade: changing the arrangement to 8 forces a direct drive, and a direct drive needs the VFD to meet the 1,450 RPM speed. Arrangement 9 with a belt drive is the chapter's worked selection; Arrangement 1 with a belt drive and Arrangement 8 with the VFD also pass, with an advisory to check the length against the 10 ft by 8 ft pad.

Sources: FanPedia pp. 110, 162, 165, 166, 171 and 187 (arrangement and isolation rules); Twin City Fan's Model RTF guide specification, Section 23 34 16 (temperature tier, spark-resistance limits, liners, inlet vanes); Chapter 12's discharge table (CW THD); Chapter 9 (impeller and dust).

How to Use

  1. Read the application card.
  2. For each attribute, choose an option and type one sentence saying why, citing the fact on the card or the source that decides it.
  3. Press Check specification. Read every message beside its attribute; the sim turns to the page with the first flagged attribute.
  4. Revise and check again until no violations remain. The composed description then appears. Back to attributes returns to the form; Show fan description reopens the description.

Keyboard: Tab moves through each drop-down, justification box and button in order; the arrow keys change a focused drop-down; Enter or Space presses a focused button. On narrow screens the attributes are split into pages; More attributes is in the Tab order after the last visible row.

Data label: "Illustrative worked example (Chapter 27) · Rules: FanPedia pp. 110, 162-166, 171, 187; TCF Model RTF guide spec 23 34 16", at the bottom left of the drawing.

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Lesson Plan

Learning Objective

The learner will compose a complete, internally consistent fan specification for the dryer exhaust application by choosing all ten attributes and writing a one-sentence justification for each, finishing with zero rule violations (Bloom: Create, verb: compose).

Audience

Adult professional development: new application engineers, sales staff, representatives and facilities staff.

Duration

15-20 minutes

Prerequisites

  • Impeller, arrangement, drive and construction selection (Chapter 27)
  • Cold start motor sizing and accessory selection (Chapter 27)
  • Complete fan description and specification review (Chapter 27)

Activities

  1. Build (8-10 min): Choose and justify all ten attributes before the first check. Cite the card fact or source in each justification.
  2. Revise (3-5 min): Check, read each conflict, and revise. Note which fixes cascaded into other attributes.
  3. Write up (3-5 min): Copy the composed description into your capstone document and compare it with the chapter's worked example line by line.

Common Misconceptions Addressed

  • The most efficient impeller is always the right one: HIB and HAF trigger the dust rule.
  • Any arrangement works if the motor is large enough: Arrangements 4 and 9F fail whatever the motor.
  • Spark resistance of any type works at any temperature: Types A and B fail at 500°F.
  • A damper or VFD is optional when the process needs turndown: no flow control without the VFD fails.
  • Isolators can be added without flex connectors: the springs-only option fails.

Assessment

  • Evidence: a submitted specification with ten choices, ten justifications and zero violations; the sim records the number of checks needed and the justifications as written. Justifications are reviewed by the instructor, not scored by the sim.
  • Follow-up: rewrite one justification so it names its source (FanPedia page or guide specification paragraph), then explain which advisory you accepted and why.

References

  1. MasterFormat - Wikipedia article on the CSI numbering system used for construction specifications.
  2. Centrifugal fan - Wikipedia overview of centrifugal fan impeller types, from airfoil to radial blades.
  3. Twin City Fan product specifications - CSI-format guide specifications, including the Model RTF section 23 34 16 behind the construction rules.
  4. FanPedia: The Fan & Blower Encyclopedia - Twin City Fan's reference for arrangements, high temperature construction, isolation and flex connectors.