About the Lab:
During lab 5 the group was tasked with learning how to properly screen and score different designs for the AEV in comparison to the sample design to determine which would be used as the official design choice. This prepared the group for any standard decision-making that would be required of them in the engineering work field. After coming to a conclusion to which design the team would use, they were required to assemble and program the best possible design to go down a straight track to gather data of power efficiency and distance compared to the sample AEV.
Take-Aways:
The main takeaway from this lab was which design the group deemed most fit to fill the criteria of the AEV project, which the group decides the Turtle Shell was fit to do. While it did not score best in the screen scoring, the areas it excelled in carried more weight in the team’s eyes, and thus ended up being the best design primarily due to its traits of being balanced, being aerodynamic, and having a central center of gravity. As well, the Basket was just below the quality of the Turtle Shell, and has already been tested due to its easy to build design, allowing it to be a suitable backup design. The group will begin designing parts for the Turtle Shell to allow for its construction and testing.
Schedule/Team-Meeting Notes:
The team will meet on 3/2/17 to practice the oral presentation, for lab on 3/3. The team will make a PowerPoint if necessary and will make flashcards for the presentation. The team have Solidworks designs for the “Turtle Shell” design completed prior to Lab 07. The team will have finalized the “Turtle Shell” design prior to Lab 07 as well.
The team met at Taylor Tower on Wednesday 2/22/17 to do the progress report, finish the PDR, and update the project portfolio. Each team member took tasks that were open and started working on completing the progress report. Kevin completed the forwards looking section, Austin and John completed the backwards looking section and the appendices. David was unavailable due to a theatrical commitment. The team agreed to meet on the Thursday 3/2 to prepare for the oral presentation. The team agreed to work on Solidworks designs for AEV parts and finalize the design for the “turtle shell”. The team agreed to update the project portfolio weekly.
