The main focus of the lab was on brainstorming and design for the team’s own AEV. The main concepts investigated were the creativity of designing new parts and representing designs on orthographic drawing paper in a neat and professional manner. Considerations will have to made in the design of these new parts. These considerations include the need for AEV to move backwards and forwards, minimization of energy usage, and the amount of motors and their placements on the AEV. The importance of these concepts and considerations are within their central places in the professional world. It is integral that engineers learn to convey their ideas fluidly and without issue as well as work under real world constraints. These items will be completed through individual brainstorming and collaborative brainstorming among team members.
Utilizing outside research and their individual creativities, each member of the group created their own orthographic sketch design for the AEV. This was done for the first twenty minutes of lab with each member doing so without discussion. Afterwards, the members of the group collaborated and shared their ideas for the AEV design. Each member provided unique sketches for their design and through discussion were able identify key characteristics to achieve the most efficient AEV design. From these designs, a few of the key components identified for the design were the ability for the AEV to keep balance and a compact design capable of supporting the weight that it will have to hold whilst moving. It is also important that the design be aerodynamic so that the AEV can move better and consume the least amount of energy possible. Focusing on these principles the team was able to agree upon a final design that adequately meet the standards mentioned. Each team member has mentioned their motivation for their own design in Appendix A, with an image of their sketch and the materials that will be required to build the AEV design. In addition, the team’s rough sketch is also provided with the materials that will be needed to construct this final AEV design.
After the team worked on brainstorming for the AEV design, the team worked on finishing Lab 02A. The team was finally able to make the Arduino code detect the reflective sensors when the Serial Monitor was opened on the Arduino console. ‘Forward’ corresponded to the moving the wheel forward and ‘backward’ corresponded to moving the wheel backward and there were no issues with the direction of movement for the AEV. After this was completed, the team moved on to test the Arduino code that was completed for the outside track. When the code was compiled and uploaded onto the Arduino nano microcontroller, a battery was attached and the code was run on the outside track, the propellers started to move but did not go for the time required as per the lab procedure. In fact, the motors kept spinning the propellers and would not stop until the Arduino board was turned off. Therefore, the team needs to keep working on the Arduino code and troubleshoot the code multiple times to ensure that our AEV is able to move on the track and follow the commands uploaded onto it from the Arduino software.
The group individually created 4 unique designs for the AEV during the lab. The first was a design based off the Alpine Swift, a bird native to Southern Europe, Southern Africa, East Asia, and India. The bird was selected as a model because of its high endurance, as it can stay flying for 200 straight days without needing to land. This would clearly be a beneficial design aspect for the AEV, as the ability to flying at a consistent level for a long period of time would enhance its performance in its final mission.
The second design was a based off a stealth bomber. This model was selected for its aerodynamic efficiency. Stealth bombers are able to stay off enemy radars by implementing various technologies that block radar detection. However they also move quickly due to a more aerodynamic design, which decreases their chance of detection even further by allowing them achieve faster airborne velocities than most conventional aircraft. The stealth bomber model provides another important aspect to the final mission, speed. Implementing it in the final design will allow the AEV to complete its mission more quickly, and consequently making it more efficient.
The third design was an RZ-1 A wing interceptor. This is a fictitious aircraft used by the rebel alliance throughout the original Star Wars trilogy. The use of an aircraft design from Star Wars seemed appropriate, as Star Wars is the theme of this year’s AEV project. The A-wing was selected over other possible Star Wars ship models due to its small size, high speeds and maneuverability, and its apparent aerodynamic design. These features will all be quintessential for the group’s final AEV design, as they will all help the AEV complete the mission with even more speed and efficiency.
The fourth design took into account synthetics as well as performance of the model of the AEV such as adding a curved, aerodynamic body to make retrieval of the R2D2 faster. In addition, the group member decided to make the area where the magnet was placed a little larger, taking into account the fact that the R2D2 will attach onto the tip of the AEV and will need to be brought back to base within 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The backside was also made aerodynamic so as to make the trip back to base faster. The group member also had decided to include curved angles so as to let air flow past the body with the aim to increase overall speed and efficiency due to using less energy to power the motors.
Designs for AEV drawn by group members
Matt Spishakoff
Xander Riggio
Eric Fogle
Omar Mahboob
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Group C Design
Team Meeting Notes
Meeting 3
Date: 05 February 2017
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Location: HI 324
Members Present: Eric Fogle, Omar Mahboob, Xander Riggio, Matthew Spishakoff
Method: Face-to-Face
Meeting Objectives: Work on the Lab 4 Progress Report, finalizing the Project Portfolio, editing and re-submitting Progress Report 1, and organizing tasks and roles for next week.
Roles for Meeting 3:
o Eric: Week 4 Situation, Weekly Goals, Weekly Schedule, Finalizing Project Portfolio
o Omar: Week 3 Takeaways, Team Meeting Notes.
o Xander: Editing and re-submitting Progress Report 1, Proofreading and Final Submission
o Matthew: Week 3 Situation, Results and Analysis
Tasks Completed in Previous Meeting
o Eric: Week 2 Situation, Lab 2b Results and Analysis
o Omar: Lab 2a Results and Analysis, Takeaways
o Xander: Appendices, Proofreading and Final Submission
o Matthew: Forwards Looking Plan