Lab 11: Performance Test 4 – Final Testing

For Performance Test 4, or the Final Testing Lab, the team ran a few test runs of the AEV in order to ensure success when going through the graded performance testing.  The team finalized the design and code to be used within the final testing process, which included aspects learned from all the prior lab periods and series in the AEV Project overview.  Following the practice, the team ran two graded AEV runs, which were observed and assessed by the instructional staff, in order to obtain the Final Testing grades for the project.  The team then prepared a powerpoint presentation to explain the team’s journey in finding a functional and energy efficient AEV for the galactic empire.

11 Critical Design Review

Lab 10: Performance Test 3 – Energy Optimization

A series of experiments within the Performance Test 3 were conducted to examine the energy optimization of the Arduino code written for the AEV.  The goals of the lab described the finalizing of the code for the team to use in the next series of lab periods in the Final Testing simulation.  Through this lab, the team was able to create a final code that uses the least amount of energy to complete the task.  The experiment involved running the team’s final AEV design, found in the Performance Test 1, through the best Arduino code, found in the Performance Test 2, and collecting the data through the MATLAB GUI.  By calculating summation of incremental powers for the run, the team could confidently determine the energy optimization of the code.  This memo contains the results that provide justification for the conclusion on the final project as well as qualitative and quantitative discussion of the AEV.

10 Performance Test 3 – Energy Optimization

Lab 09: Performance Test 2 – Code

A series of experiments within the Performance Test 2 were conducted to examine the efficiency of the Arduino code written for the AEV.  The goals of the lab described the comparison of two codes that were able to run the AEV through the task given to the engineering team with the AEV picked from the previous labs.  Through this, the team was able to minimize the energy usage of the AEV through the code creation.  The experiment involved running the team’s final AEV design through two different AEV Arduino codes and collecting the data through the MATLAB GUI.  By calculating summation of incremental powers for each code run, the team could effectively determine the more effective code.  This memo contains the results that provide justification for the conclusion on the final code decision as well as qualitative and quantitative discussion on the the Arduino code.

09 Performance Test 2 – Code

Lab 08: Performance Test 1 – Design

The purpose of this lab was to compare two AEV designs using the Design Analysis Tool introduced during Lab 7.  The most efficient design that can complete the task will be considered for the final project for the team.  In this lab, the goal was to determine which design will use less energy to accomplish the same job, which is the overall goal of the project.  Through creating two AEV designs and running both designs through similar Arduino codes, the team can more effectively put the results side-by-side and determine a more efficient design.  Later in the lab, the group decided to use the more efficient design to continue testing.

During the lab, the group took the team design and another design that tested one factor: the direction of the motors.  One characteristic of the team design that adds uniqueness to the team is how the design has a motor facing each way; however, the team tested the factor specifically to verify the team’s theory.  Therefore, the second design has both motors facing the same direction with no other differences in order to truly test the factor itself.

Through this lab, the team used the knowledge learned in the last lab in order to determine the better AEV design to use during the final steps of performance testing.  Through the data collected by the Arduino and displayed through the Design Analysis Tool, the team decided to continue pursuing the team design created earlier in the project process.  From the procedure, the group also further learned how to use the Design Analysis Tool to truly determine the efficiency of an AEV design.  Through the lab, the team was able to closer obtain the final goal of the project.

08 Preliminary Design Review

Lab 07: Design Analysis Tool

The purpose of this lab was to introduce the team to a Design Analysis program to further quantify the performance of the AEV. The decision to use this tool allows the team to more directly compare the performance of various AEV designs to determine the most efficient design.  In this lab, the goal was to introduce the team to a more time-efficient way of collecting, calculating, and analyzing data through a MATLAB Graphical User Interface (GUI).  This specific GUI downloads the Arduino data, performs performance analysis calculations, and plots the results.  The team will use this tool to take the data from the Arduino motor controller and plots two graphs: a Supplied Power vs. Time graph and a Supplied Power vs. Distance graph.

Within the project, the only future responsibilities of the team is to write the code and test the AEV through different performance tests to perfect the final design. Through the following labs within this class, my personal job is the observation recorder. This job entails writing down constant observations of how the team’s AEV does while running our final code over and over again. Since I am not one to excel in the programming aspect of this project, I am using my skills to polish the final design of the AEV to make the product most efficient.

Through the lab, the team identified the importance of this Design Analysis Tool in order to be a more time-efficient team.  From the procedure and following discussion, the team was introduced and had the ability to master the process of this tool in order to be knowledgeable of the data analysis being done by the MATLAB GUI.  By learning this, the team was able to work closer towards the final project.

07 Executive Summary – Design Analysis Tool – Lexi Fye

07 Executive Summary – Design Analysis Tool – Abby Lyons

07 Executive Summary – Design Analysis Tool – Chloe Menning

07 Executive Summary – Design Analysis Tool – Rachel Katsman

Lab 06: System Analysis 2

The purpose of this lab was to discover the time and energy used to power the AEV. The final design must efficiently complete the task using minimal energy, which is the overall goal of this project. Through the procedure of the lab, the team extracted the data for the Arduino code in order to analyze it. During the lab time, the team created a code to run the AEV, which then sent data to the computer to be analyzed and graphed following the lab period. Through the procedure, the team determined an efficient AEV shown by the energy throughout the lab.

A product’s level of success is only determined by the evaluation of the performance. For this particular lab, which the main goal of minimizing the energy required to complete the task, data needed to be extracted in order to discover the success level of the team’s AEV.  With a code written by the team members, the time, current, voltage, and wheel counts of a certain run were collected and exported to various programs in order to clearly evaluate the team’s run.

Through this lab, the team learned the advantage of collecting data for data analysis.  Through this process, the team is able to help modify the design to create a more energy-efficient AEV.  From the procedure in the lab, the team concluded the benefit of data analysis to be the tangible data to prove constant success from the team’s runs from lab period to lab period.  In addition, the team was able to continue altering the code and design of the AEV in order to ensure accomplishment in the final lab.

06 Executive Summary – System Analysis 2

Lab 05: System Analysis 1

The purpose of this lab was to determine the most efficient qualities of a propeller through testing the variables of shape and push or pull configurations. The final design must efficiently create thrust using minimal energy. Through discussion of different propellers, the team decided on the potential propeller to be used in the final design of the AEV.  During the lab time, each team member took data on a different wind tunnel holding a certain propeller and configuration to take data specific to that variable.  Later in the lab, the group came together to discuss and decide the overall most successful propeller pair.

Efficiency is important because it is the ability to utilize all available energy. The efficiency of the overall AEV is determined by the efficiency of the motor and the efficiency of the propellers. For this lab however, the team members aimed to specifically find the efficiency of the propellers. The team tried to determine the best option for three conditions: type of propeller and configuration.

Throughout the lab, the team identified the qualities of propellers and setups that result in a high thrust, which allows the AEV to move a longer distance with less energy.  From the procedure and following discussion, the team determined that 2510 pusher propellers are the most beneficial towards a successful set of propellers, which leads the team to pick those propellers for the final AEV.

05 Executive Summary – System Analysis 1

Lab 04: External Sensors

During the lab, the group used reflectance sensors in order to track the movement of the AEV. These reflectance sensors track whenever the reflective surface passes the sensor, using a single infrared LED and a phototransistor.  The team can then use the amount of times the sensors detect the reflective tape, and the circumference of the wheel to determine the distance traveled.  The team determined this method to be more reliable than using length of time.

For future labs, the team recommends making the distance longer in order to get the AEV to the gate and sensors.  Within the lab, the AEV made it close, but not close enough to set off the sensors to open the gate, as if in the final test.  Also, the group expects to not include the break command in the final code in order to preserve energy.  The team recognized the wasted energy used when braking the AEV, so eliminating that energy would be ideal. 

Through this lab, the team learned the advantage of using the count sensors to measure the distance in order to determine the length of usage of the propellers, and therefore, the AEV in order to take a successful step towards the final product. From the procedure in the lab, the group concluded the count sensors were vital to completing the task and ensure the correct stopping points of the AEV. In addition, the team was able to begin brainstorming creative ways to design the most efficient code to put with the most efficient AEV designed in the final lab.

04 Executive Summary – External Sensors Lab

Watch the video below to see the AEV complete the task in Lab 04.

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Lab 03: AEV Design Concept Screening and Scoring

The purpose of this lab was to begin testing AEV designs with a sample code in order to brainstorm more ideas to ensure energy efficiency.  The final design must balance energy usage and productivity in order to achieve success.  In this lab, the goal was to use concept scoring to give value to the advantages and disadvantages of the designs. Through observing the AEVs when running the code, the team found ways to eliminate unnecessary energy usage. To determine the best AEV, the concept scoring and screening matrices were needed. A base code was used to rate the reference AEV, and multiple factors were considered like cost, durability, and other factors.     

There are a few improvements the team made on the team AEV during the lab. The code given by the instructional team was changed so that the motor motion did not oppose each other. The team decided to use a hair tie to hold the wires and the battery in place in order to eliminate cost. It was also more effective than using the twist ties. The errors in the lab could be minimized with the help of the instructional team by having a class presentation of the reference AEV running the code the teams would not need to waste valuable time waiting for other groups to finish running the similar if not exact same code on the reference AEV.

During the course of the Lab, the team learned how concept scoring works and used it effectively. As shown by the weighted score in Chart 2, the team design had factors that were most important to the team. The team determined that the team design would be the design that will move on to further rounds of testing.

03 Executive Summary – Concept Screening and Scoring

Watch the video below to see the AEV complete the task in Lab 03.

Lab 02: Arduino Programming Basics

The purpose of this lab was to accustom the team to Arduino coding basics in order to eventually run the Advanced Energy Vehicle (AEV).  The final code must efficiently balance the use of code versus productivity in order to successfully complete the task.  In this lab, the goal was to determine coding commands that would eliminate as much unnecessary energy usage as possible. Through being introduced to a new coding system with given scenarios, the team began to brainstorm on a final code to run the AEV through an Arduino.  Later in the lab, the group came together to start testing the code made.   

The AEV is controlled by a custom made Arduino that programs in a syntax that is similar to C and C++. The team was provided with a few lines of pre-programmed code, such as starting the motor, accelerating, decelerating, and breaking. These lines of code were used to test out the propellers through different actions.  Through this process, the team learned how to begin coding in the Arduino language.

Through this lab, the team learned the basis of how to control the motors, and therefore, the AEV in order to take a successful step towards the final product.  From the procedure of this lab, the group concluded a more efficient way to slow down the AEV in order to save energy and make the final project more successful.  On top of that, the team was able to begin brainstorming creative ways to design the most efficient code to put with the most efficient AEV designed in the last lab.

02 Executive Summary – Arduino Programming Basics