Approach to MCR:
Columbus has granted a project for us engineers to build at Bakers International Group. The advancement of this project can lead into a safe transportation and energy efficiency environment. Baker International has to build a vehicle called an AEV (Advanced Energy Vehicle) that can transport pedestrians (magnets), especially the residents of Linden to the highly commercial location like Polaris Fashion, and Easton Town Center smoothly, quickly, and of course safely as possible.
Prototype Design:
Our plan is to use the T shape for the body and attach propellers on each side of the right angles. While the vehicle is moving at a fast pace, our initial thought was to use a servo to support the braking system in a controllable way. This is just a basic idea formed before we’ve had a chance to perform any testing experiments, and will make changes if needed. Another idea, if it is needed, is to 3D print another wheel and use the motor to power the wheel instead of depending on the propellers.
The reason we’re taking this approach, is because the T shape body seems to be the lightest of all the shapes. Also that shape provides a platform to mount both motors in a way that will keep the vehicle balanced on both sides. Printing the third wheel is something we will look into, if we find out that the propellers are having a difficult time producing the power needed to make the AEV as efficient as possible. However, we’re keeping that as an alternative option to keep the budget low, if in fact the propellers work fine.
So far, the team has been testing with the materials to lighten the AEV, so it can move without consume a ton of energy. In the lab, we conclude that Polypropylene has the lightest density, as a result we might planning to use Polypropylene as the base for the AEV in the near future. Also, the team found out that there were still plenty of time to spend, and finally decided to test the motor configuration/quantity that would be best to power the AEV. In conclusion, the team found out that two motors creates better propulsion for the AEV, but consume more energy compare to the one motor. As a result, the team still contemplating the idea of how many motors should be used for the AEV.
Final Design:
The team finally decided to use two motors onto the AEV. One motor for pushing the AEV, and the other motor for power breaking. Also, the team agreed to use Acrylic for the base AEV, since we found out that Polypropylene had the worst energy consumption compared to the rest materials. the process, the team also saved a considerable amount of energy by taking advantage of the slope on the track, and coasting through the rest of the track. Since the power breaking consumed a lot of energy, the team was hoping to have had attached servo to the AEV, and save much more energy.