Performance Test 3
In the final performance test, the AEV had to complete the entire mission. First, it paused at the gate until it opened. Then, it picked up the caboose on the opposite side of the track. Next, it returned to the gate and paused. Finally, it returned to its original position on the track.
Energy vs. Distance
Energy vs. Time
Total Costs
The final cost of the AEV and final performance test was $545,862.50. The division of costs is located in Figure 13 or Appendix B. The primary way the team tried to reduce the cost of the system was to make the AEV as efficient as possible. One way efficiency was increased was applying the most efficient motor and propellor configurations. The team discovered which configurations were the most efficient during the advanced research and development portion of the project. Another way the team reduced cost was by prioritizing overall efficiency during the design process. This is reflected in the Concept Scoring matrix. The criteria considered when finalizing the AEV design were all chosen with the cost and efficiency of the system in mind. Stability, weight and cost of the designs were weighted the highest to produce an AEV that wasn’t too expensive and could easily travel the track. The group tried to reduce the number of parts used in the AEV design, which helped to lower the cost substantially. Aerodynamics as well as fixability were also considered to produce a design that was more efficient and cheaper to fix should something go wrong. The AEV was fairly power efficient, only using a total of 160.125 Joules and running for 56 seconds. The AEV received a perfect score on the test.