Meeting 18

3/27/19 8:00AM-8:55AM Hitchcock 308

Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

During this meeting the AEV ran differently than during the past meetings. Time after time, the AEV fell short of the sensor on the gate. This could be due to the added weight of the metal bar placed at the front of the AEV, which would connect to the caboose. The group decided to increase the amount of marks the AEV would initially run for. That way, the AEV would make it the gate sensor. After multiple trials, the group received steady results. It was also decided to decrease the amount of time the AEV reversed after proceeding through the gate. This would ensure that the AEV would travel far enough to make a connection with caboose. Finally, performance test 2 was completed.

Upcoming: Committee Meeting 2

Meeting 17

3/25/19 8:00AM-8:55Am Hitchcock 308

Luke, Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

The code for performance test 2 needed to be uploaded to the AEV and tested. Nick typed up the code on his computer and then the group tested the AEV on the track. After two successful tries, the AEV failed to reach the sensors on the next two trials. It was assumed that the battery was running low on power. Therefore, it would needed to be tested again during the next meeting.

Upcoming: Perform Performance Test 2

Meeting 16

3/22/19 8:00AM-9:20AM Hitchcock 224

Luke, Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

This meeting consisted of performing the first oral presentation of the group’s AEV. The presentation was about 6 to 8 minutes long. Nick started with the presentation by introducing all the members and their roles, the initial problem of the design for Smart City Columbus, and our plan to accomplish this problem. Luke explained about the how the research of the propellers was conducted and the results from the research. Louie explained the research of the weight distribution and talked about the final design of the group’s AEV. Nathan finished off the presentation with a conclusion and recommendations for the AEV.

Upcoming: Prepare for performance test 2.

Meeting 15

3/21/19  5:30PM-6:45PM Thompson Library

Luke, Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

The power point for the oral presentation was completed during this meeting. The presentation will include research for the AEV and how the group integrated it into the design. Nick is in charge of the intro, the roles of the team, and reporting the initial problem of the AEV. Luke is in charge of explaining the propeller research. Louie is in charge of the weight distribution research and the AEV design. Nathan is in charge of the recommendations and the conclusion.

Upcoming: Perform the oral presentation.

Meeting 14

3/20/19  8:00AM-8:55AM Hitchcock 308

Luke, Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

The next task was to prepare for the performance test two. Nick, Nathan, and Luke added to the code so the AEV would successfully stop at the caboose once it passed through the gate. The code after proceeding through the gate would be similar to the first part of the AEV run. Also, the AEV was modified to have a metal piece at the front end. This would serve as a magnet to hook up to the caboose. Louie modified the solidworks AEV shell. It was originally too big to 3D print. It was decided to make the shell slightly shorter so it would be under 11 inches and to make the wings separate. By making the wings separate, it eliminated the problem of being too big in the 3D printer.

Upcoming: Prepare for the Oral Presentation

Meeting 13

3/18/19  8:00AM-8:55AM Hitchcock 308

Luke, Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

With the performance test code now fixed, the AEV was tested on the track three more times to make sure it triggered the first gate sensor successfully. Like usual, the reflective sensor test was performed on Louie’s computer and the performance test code was uploaded through Nathan’s computer. With three successful trials done, the group decided to proceed with the performance test on that day, instead of doing it on the original performance test date of 3/20/19. The performance test was successful. The AEV triggered the first sensor without triggering the second sensor. Then the AEV waited for seven seconds and proceeded through the gate.

Upcoming: Prepare for performance test two.

Meeting 12

3/8/19 8:00AM-9:20AM Hitchcock 224

Luke, Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

This meeting consisted of first finishing the code for the Performance Test 1, but once completed, to test the code. When the code was first uploaded, the reflectance sensors were not working. However, once we reversed the direction of the AEV, the sensors worked well. When the AEV was tested, it was discovered that the vehicle originally moved past the gate with the current code. This was fixed by commanding the AEV to go in reverse for a longer amount of time. Once the code was fixed, the AEV ran perfectly and successfully completed the Performance Test 1 in testing.

Upcoming: Make final changes in preparation for Performance Test 1.

Meeting 11

3/6/19 8:00AM-8:55AM Hitchcock 308

Luke, Nick, Nathan Present

This consisted of ensuring that code was able to be uploaded to the Arduino and successfully run. Each member was in charge of a different aspect. While one member wrote code that consisted of basic commands which the AEV could be tested with to see how it would respond, another member ensured that the AEV was built and working in order for it to be ready to be tested when the code was completed. The final member of the group worked on preparing the code for the upcoming Performance Test 1. This code had to command the AEV to stop at the gate for seven seconds, then continue past the gate.

Upcoming: Continue to work on the the code and testing for Performance Test 1.

Meeting 10

3/4/19 8:00AM-8:55AM Hitchcock 308

Luke, Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

This meeting consisted of testing the different aspects of the AEV which the group decided on researching. These were the propellers and weight distribution. This particular meeting was focused on researching weight distribution. To test this topic, the group decided to compare two different designs, only changing one piece. The piece that would be changed is the arm the connects the AEV frame to the track. The group tested the L-shaped arm and the T-shaped arm. When placed on the track, the T-shaped arm immediately appeared to keep the AEV more stable. After multiple tests, it was determined that the group would use the T-shaped arm in order to try and maintain the most stability possible.

Upcoming: Start writing code for Performance Test 1 and make sure that the AEV runs properly on the track.

Meeting 9

3/1/19 8:00AM-9:20AM Hitchcock 224

Luke, Louie, Nick, Nathan Present

This meeting consisted of testing the different aspects of the AEV which the group decided on researching. These were the propellers and weight distribution. This particular meeting was focused on discovering what was the best propeller configuration the AEV could have. After testing multiple different multiple different types of propellers and different propeller configurations, it was discovered that using two of the bigger propellers located horizontally in relation to one another would provide the most efficient use of power.

Upcoming: Continue to do research on the AEV, in particular in weight distribution.