Sample AEV Design:
To complete prelimary testing and practice coding the arduino, the sample AEV design was utilized.
Reflectance sensors set up:
The reflectance sensors are a crucial part of this AEV. They track how many times the wheels have rotated in order to determine how far the AEV has traveled. Without the reflectance sensors the code would not run properly because the code is based on the distance traveled. The sensors also allow the operators to see the information from past runs.
First AEV Redesign:
This first design of the AEV by the team includes a T-shaped base, T-shaped arm, and large gray propellers. This makes the design more lightweight than the sample AEV design, with the vehicle balanced on the track. The large gray propellers will move the AEV more quickly along the track, thus completing the task more quickly.
AEV With Three-Bladed Propellers
In order to increase the speed of the AEV, the team designed 3-bladed propellers to mount on the previous design. Ultimately, these blades did not move the AEV, so the large gray propellers were chosen as the final propeller configuration.
Final AEV Design
The final AEV design is essentially the team’s first redesign, with an added angle bracket to attach to the caboose. This design is lightweight, well-balanced, and uses minimal material in order for the AEV to move as fast as possible, and not waste any material or energy. The large gray propellers on the back of the AEV were chosen because this configuration and position moved the AEV the fastest out of all variations tested.