Lab Deliverables

The function of the reflectance sensors is to measure how many marks the AEV travels along the track.  They measure how many revolutions the wheels travel through, and store this value for determining how far the AEV needs to travel.  Without the reflectance sensors functioning properly, the AEV could travel in the wrong direction or not travel at all.  They are an essential component to the AEV, and this essential to the success of the mission.

One of the major flaws in the sample design is that there is no place for the arduino.  This sample design could never be used as a final design.  The arduino must be mounted to the AEV on the final design.

Here are the initial designs of the AEV:

As it is seen, the placement of the arduino is not in an optimal position, considering how close it is to anything metal (this could start a fire) although it does work for a reflection sensor test. Further adjustments are going to be made to this design since the balance of the AEV is not appropriate for it to smoothly run along the tracks. Changes are going to be made hopefully before testing on the tracks where the AEV is supposed to run.

In this lab, we were able to see the differences and similarities between each of the designs. Design concept B was the design that was least liked of all of them considering there was a significant amount of material used meaning that it probably will not run, therefore the idea was scraped as a whole. Design concept A and C were very similar in their style, less “clunky” and much more sleek. Design concept C was the one we pulled from most because it was much more aerodynamic than the others. This design, although it may be heavy, has the least room for error. Design concept A was more of a T shaped design and therefore did not have the aerodynamic structure of C, leaving the base to then be scraped.

The final design can be seen in the AEV Individual Designs and Research where all of the parts are labeled and the design is further explained, also with how it can be applied to the MCR. On the same page, you can find the Matrix.

Also in this lab, the team decided to switch the arm on the AEV. Although the original data testing is not present on the website, the arm that was on the AEV to start was not evenly distributing the weight of the base throughout, so when it was running on the track it sort of “popped a wheelie” for lack of a better term. It was then decided that the arm should be switched so that the AEV would run smoother. Below are pictures of the AEV with the different arm.

 

In this lab, our group tested our first methodology of our AEV running with/without the servo motor to brake. Each test has three trial runs of which we collected data. The second test was testing the AEV with the servo motor and running it on the straight track. Below are the pictures of the data we collected on graphs of power vs. time and power vs. distance and the code that was used to make the AEV run. Go to the page labeled “Servo Testing” to see the rest of the data collected

The purpose of today’s lab was to begin testing the second methodology which was to test out how the weight of the AEV affected the results it laid out on the track. This was done by putting a maximum of two ounces onto the AEV and seeing how it performed. Below are the results and the code that was used to run the AEV. Go to the page labeled “Weight Testing” to see the data collected.

The purpose of today’s lab was to run the AEV on the tracks for Performance Test 1. This test was completed successfully. The goal of Performance Test 1 was to get the AEV through the Gate.

The purpose of today’s lab was to give an oral presentation to the company of Baker Internation and Bevis on the results of AR&D1 and AR&D2.

The purpose of today’s lab was to try to successfully complete Performance Test 2. Performance Test 2 was to get the AEV through the gate, pick up the caboose and move just a little bit out of the loading zone. Although Group B did not successfully complete it, we are working to try to figure out why this did not happen and what we can fix in order to complete it on our own and figure out how to start bettering the AEV for the Final Performance Test.

The purpose of today’s lab time was to have a committee meeting just to be updated on what has happened recently in each of the areas of the company. Group B is also starting work on AR&D3 which will improve the accuracy of the AEV depending on different code.

The purpose of today’s lab is to continue testing AR&D3 and possibly run a cost analysis of how much the final performance test will cost. The goal is to finish AR&D3 and then start to run the code to complete the final performance test successfully.

The purpose of today’s lab is to finish gathering data for AR&D3 and to start working on the code for the final performance test. The team hopes to start addressing the cost analysis soon but it has been proven that most of the attempts so far are far too expensive for the budget given.

The purpose of today’s lab was to test the AEV for the final performance test and start work on the final oral presentation.

The purpose of today’s lab was to get ready for the Final Performance Test and start gathering the data needed to finish the Poster and the CDR. The team was in a different room than where the Final Performance Test happens, so the code used today will not be used during the Final Performance Test.

The team today had to make sure that the AEV completed the Final Performance Test. The team is given three tries, and the two best will be averaged for the final grade. One of the tests was done and the team got a 40/40. The team also made adjustments to the poster and started gathering the data needed to complete the CDR.

In today’s meeting, the team finished their 2 remaining trials of the Final Performance test. The first trial was given a 39/40 and the last was given a 40/40 meaning that the team will score a 100% for their Final Performance Test. The team submitted their slide for the Final Oral Presentation.

In today’s meeting, the team was tasked with taking apart their AEV, handing in the kit and then counting all the parts to make sure that everything was still there.

In the last meeting, the team was supposed to present their Final Oral Presentation to another company and their own company and answer any questions about the AEV.