Lab 07 – Straight Track Testing

Summary

The purpose of Lab 07 was for teams to test their AEV designs using a standardized arduino code and use the data collected to develop an energy model. Lab 07 consisted of the team performing three tasks to collect data and model the energy consumption of the AEV. The three tasks performed in the lab were performed for two main reasons. First, to make sure that the reflectance sensors were correctly counting marks as the vehicle moved along the track. Second, to gather data to calculate the propeller and friction forces and use those values to determine the vehicle’s efficiency. The goal of the first task was to measure the mass of the AEV in grams and then to run the AEV on the track and make sure it functioned properly and without major flaws. The second task consisted of determining whether or not the wheel count sensors were measuring with an accuracy of within two marks and the third task consisted of making several calculations necessary to determine the efficiency of the vehicle. Using the data collected during the lab in conjunction with the Lab 07 Class Composite Datasheet, the teams could compare their performances and try to determine how to improve efficiency and reduce error.

Takeaways

  1. An AEV utilizing a servo motor brake performed much more efficiently when the energy usage was analyzed. Therefore, the AEV servo motor brake was chosen as team K’s final design.
  2. The AEV swayed when moving, indicating it was unbalanced. This indicated to the team that work needed to be done on balancing the vehicle.
  3. A marks based system performed better than a time based system for the programming of the vehicle.

Schedule

The hour and twenty minute lab period will be completed on Tuesday, March 21st from 11:10AM – 12:30PM. Following the lab, the group will then meet on Saturday, March 25th from 6:00PM-8:30PM to begin the progress report and complete as much of it as possible. If the progress report is not completed on Saturday, then the team will meet again on Sunday, March 26th at 5:30PM to complete the progress report. The team will also update the project portfolio as time permits. The group will continue with their divided tasks where Ryan Born and Trevor McDowell will be focusing on making the AEV code, along with the servo, as efficient as possible while Khalid Musa and Gonzalo Diago will be working to make the physical AEV as efficient and light as possible. This will include looking to see if the group would like to 3D print more parts. Khalid and Gonzalo will once again be meeting Wednesday at 7:00 PM to discuss the current situation of the AEV’s design, and Trevor and Ryan meet at the same time on Wednesday to continue to discover how to make the AEV stop and start at specific locations and times with the servo motor.

Meeting Notes

Date: 7 March 2017

Time: 7:00 P.M. (Remote – Skype)

Members Present: Gonzalo Diago, Trevor McDowell, Ryan Born, Khalid Musa

Topics Discussed:Lab 08 Progress Report

Objective:

Today, the group met in order to discuss the Lab 08 Progress Report as well as their final AEV design, and look forward to the week after spring break where the labs are now three days.

To Do:

  • Continue optimizing the AEV’s physical design as well as looking into 3D printing more parts (KM, GD)
  • Continue optimizing the AEV’s code as well as ensuring that the AEV can stop when necessary with the servo (RB, TM)
  • Lab 08 Progress Report (KM, GD, TM, RB)

Timeline/Schedule

– The group will meet on Monday, March 20th to discuss Lab 9, and how the group should move forward.

-Throughout the week, the portfolio will be updated when team members have free time.

Decisions Made

  • The group will meet on Monday, March 20th to discuss how the group would like to move forward for Lab 09
  • The group has also divided parts for the Lab 08 Progress Report.
  • The group will work to perfect the AEV design, as well as finding the optimal power input, and AEV code in order to have it stop and start at the required location (along with the servo design).

Reflection

Last week for the group went very well, the group was able to meet remote, and finish the progress report. The group was also able to finish what was required in the lab, and the group was able to meet outside of class time to finalize the 3D printed part. The group was also very productive in that they were able to also discuss their final design further, and how they would be ready to complete the final objective in the most efficient manner.