Lab 6 – LPQ and Halfway Checkpoint

Summary

During the opening half of lab 06, students took a Lab Proficiency Quiz (LPQ) which assessed their knowledge of various useful subjects that were deemed important to creating a successful AEV. These topics were discussed during the first five labs and were used to build the foundation necessary for the remaining labs. The purpose of Lab 06 was for the team to assess the situation and decide upon various changes to the AEV as well as gathering data on the track and beginning to design the control program. The team spent much of lab 06 applying a new braking system to the AEV using the servo motor. To apply the brake, two holes were drilled near the slot in the top of the arm and the servo motor was zip tied on through those holes in a position where its arm could contact a wheel to slow the vehicle. The team spent the remainder of the lab experimenting with the servoWrite(); function and trying to understand how the servo motor works on a more detailed level.

Takeaways

  1. An AEV servo brake was successfully applied to the support arm and will need to be tested and improved for use in the final design.
  2. The team will need to learn how to use a few servo functions such as servoWrite(); to utilize the servo motor brake.
  3. A prototype design with and without a servo brake will be created.

Schedule

Meeting Notes

Date: 6 March 2017

Time: 7:00 P.M. (Remote – Skype)

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

Topics Discussed:Lab 07 Progress Report & Lab 07

Objective:

Today, the group met in order to discuss the Lab 10 progress report, recap on what occurred in class over the last week, and assign tasks for Lab 10

To Do:

  • Learn how to use servo motor functions such as servoWrite();
  • Test a vehicle using the servo motor brake on the straight track within the week to see how it performs.
  • Lab 07 Progress Report (KM, GD, TM, RB)

Timeline/Schedule

– The group will meet on Monday to further discuss Lab 07, 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 to discuss how the group would like to move forward for Lab 07
  • The group has also divided parts for the next 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 successfully completed what was required in Lab 06, which was to figure out a way to mount the servo motor to the support arm as a brake. During the coming weeks, the use of the servo motor as a brake will have to be tested and perfected in order for the team to complete a successful run.