The purpose of Performance Test 1 was to design and build two separate AEV models in order to determine which design would be most efficient when completing the mission objectives. To accomplish this task, the engineers created two separate designs using the same parts. The only difference between the designs was the orientation of the support arm and the base T-shape. The engineers only altered the orientation to ensure that the only variable factor between runs was the orientation of the AEV, nothing else. The first design was built so the support arm was parallel to the T-shape, and the second design was built so the support arm was perpendicular to the T-shape. Both designs were tested on the track using the same code. When the data was extracted, the engineers observed that the AEV with the parallel orientation between the support arm and the T-shape was more efficient. Therefore, the engineers chose to continue with the parallel orientation.
This lab displayed the importance to design modification to the engineers. Even a design the engineers believed to be flawless was able to be modified to be more efficient and more consistent. This helped the engineers during the final testing phase. This lab also displayed the importance of controlling variables when attempting to observe how changing factors of the AEV changed the results. It was important that the engineers maintain consistency in every other aspect of the AEV and testing except the orientation of the support arm and T-shape, so the results can be attributed to the change in orientation of the AEV not outside factors.
Team Meeting Notes:
Date: 24–March–2016
Time: 10:30am-12:30pm
Members Present: Kailee Gulbin (KG), Ben Reed (BR), Paul Conway (PC), Grant Miller (GM)
Topics Discussed: Performance Test 1
Objectives:
Today’s main focuses were meeting as a team to discuss the outcome of this lab, and which design to choose for the future.
To do:
-u.osu.edu (KG)
-Executive Summary (PC, KG, GM, BR)
Reflections:
-The u.osu page was not finished completely, need to uploading the memo when completed.
-The design for the rest of the lab was chosen.