Motor Configuration Lab
The purpose of the motor configuration lab was to find out how to position the motors on the AEV base for the AEV to travel the furthest in the least amount of time. Finding the best motor configuration would also provide information as to which AEV base is best suited for the final design. The four motor configurations the group tested were having both motors positioned in the back, both on each side, one in the front and one in the back, and finally having only one motor in the back as seen in figures 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4. Every motor configuration was constructed on a universal base as seen in the figures with the motor location being the only thing that changed. All configurations used the same code except for when the two motors faced opposite directions. The distances traveled and time it took to complete the code on the leveled rails were measured for each configuration.
The results of this lab showed that the configuration with both motors on the side resulted in the furthest average distance traveled which was 9.33m over 13.49 seconds. The second-furthest configuration was having both motors in the back which travelled an average 6.51 m over 12.60 seconds. The worst performing configuration was the single motor configuration which travelled on average 0.44 m over 6.87 seconds. The configuration with one motor in the front and one in the back would not run without unmodified code. This configuration travelled on average 1.04 m over 8.28 seconds. Because the code was modified for this configuration, it results were skewed.
Each configuration uses a 2” by 6” base with two 1.5” by 3” bases connected on each side in the center and two 1″ by 3″ parts on the back sides..
Configuration 1: Two propellers on the back spaced evenly on the top 4” apart
Configuration 2: Two propellers on the sides
Configuration 3: One front, one back
Configuration 4: One in back
Speed test measures the distance that the current motor configuration goers when both motors are set to 35% power for 5 seconds.
Reverse test measures how fast it goes from its (random) current position back to absolute position 0 at 30% power.
Time test measures the time it takes for the AEV to get from absolute position 0 at 50% speed to absolute position 25.
Configuration 1:
- Power vs Distance
- Power vs Time
Configuration 2:
- Power vs Distance
- Power vs Time
Configuration 3:
- Power vs Distance
- Power vs Time
Configuration 4:
- Power vs Distance
- Power vs Time
Conclusion
It was found that having both motors on the side was best configuration for the motors. This was determined by analyzing the graphs of power vs distance and power vs time. Having two motors on each side of the AEV had it go the furthest at 35% power. Both configuration 1 and 2 had similar times at the energy level of 35%.
Appendix
Arduino Code