156B Week 7
Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
The aluminum cart has arrived with its 8 inch casters.
After physically maneuvering the cart with its 2 fixed and 2 swiveling casters, we decided it was too difficult and ultimately felt having 2 top locking swiveling casters in the front and 2 total locking swiveling casters in the back would be the best option.
Our aluminum vertical support bars and supporting cross members have been cut out.
The new 8 inch casters have been ordered and are expected to come in by the end of this week.
The position where we modeled the vertical supports appeared to be much too close when actually looking at the physical cart. We decided to re-position the vertical supports directly at the center of the cart.
After consulting with Tom, directly bolting parts to the thin top plate of the cart might be problematic and it might be unstable with the risk of flexing. We plan to use L-brackets and a thicker base plate on our parts connecting to the cart base to better distribute the load.
Extensive work is being done to finalize the design of how we are going to connect the suctions cups to the machine and how we are going to achieve the rotating motion we need. This is difficult without having the suctions cups yet.
We are leaning towards having horizontal bars attached to the suction cup assembly to allow for easy rotation, but we are debating whether or not it is necessary for that horizontal bar to lock. It would probably turn it into a 2-man job a result, which isn't a huge concern.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Order has been placed for new casters
Fabrication has begun
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Prepare Final Design Review presentation (All)
Prepare 2nd report draft (All)
Continue fabrication (All)
Prepare 2nd webpage draft (Albert and Zachary)
Research and prepare PO's for parts needed for suction cup assembly (Max, Nate, Nick)
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
(5/6/15 | In Person) - "Great job guys! In the future, if you ever need us to come and meet you at your lab space now that you guys have started fabrication, that would not be a problem."
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
(5/6/15 | In Person) - "Why don't you use the heavy duty suction cups for everything instead of mixing the inexpensive one with the heavy duty ones?"
Response: The inexpensive suction cup was only for attaching the horizontally translating bar to. This suction cup was not intended to bear a heavy load. Budget is not a concern, so we could very well use heavy duty for everything. However, we can finalize that decision once the actual suction cups come in.
(5/6/15 | In Person) - "I would personally stay away from aluminum welding whenever possible, even if the person welding is experienced."
Response: "After consulting with Tom and seeing the unsightly aluminum welding job on the cart, we will definitely plan to bolt everything we can and only weld if absolutely necessary.
(5/6/15 | In Person) - "Regarding your report, try to quantify as much as you can, especially with regards to expected performance of your machine. Use more bullet lists, refer to your figures, and include pro and con tables where applicable.
Response: All of the comments provided to us have been noted and we will definitely address each of them to improve our final report.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
(5/9/15 | In Person | Sam Jafarian) - "I think having 4 swiveling casters is the best way to make your cart as maneuverable as possible."
Response: After testing out the cart with the 2 fixed and 2 swiveling casters, it was very difficult considering the length of the cart. Turning was problematic and we decided having 4 swiveling casters would be the way to go.
Risks and Areas of Concern
N/A
Resources or Information Required but not Available
N/A
Schedule
Describe upcoming milestone
Update Gantt chart.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Amount spent: $1090.46
Amount remaining: $3409.54
Progress on Report and Webpage
First draft report revisions are being addressed and will be submitted by Friday of Week 7.
No further webpage progress has been made since submission of first draft in Week 6