Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Design: The following updates have been made to the hardware design for final device
Changing aluminum radius dimensions to 1.5".
Adding clamping mechanism to keep petri dish in place during stretching and rotation.
Fabrication
The new platform with rotation gears has been cut out and installed on the 4-axis stretching device.
Rotational/stepper motor and final controller box have been ordered (5/14).
Begun fabrication of final device.
Software
Working MATLAB-based GUI to perform real-time tracking of object centroids.
Operation of a MATLAB program able to take user input and output motion strings to linear motors.
Testing
Team-designed Petri dishes are being tested for bio-compatibility and neuron-growth viewing.
Dished will be returned to us 5/22
Accomplishments from Previous Week
MATLAB and GUI
Updated GUI based on sponsor feedback
Updated motor functionality from matlab script execution
Image analysis
Updated code to track centroids of objects present in real-time video feed
Petri dishes, neuron growth
Still waiting on tissue growth, will receive 5/22
Tested device dimensions with current microscope configuration (5/15)
ID of device cyliners doesn't fully allow for current objective
Update dimensions for final device based on results.
IA and interface hardware
Tested a camera/mounting option on current microscope 5/16
Discussed with sponsor various camera options.
Prototyped rotation gear train out of acrylic.
Ordered rotational stepper (5/15)
Ordered rotational driver/controller (5/20)
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Fabrication of rotational components
Finalize rotation stepper motor and control, including MATLAB integration (with ALL-motion).
Fabrication of final device with updated dimensions
Operating GUI with device control.
Want it to be able to compare images and send commands to motors based on neuron changing location.
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Will also inform us of requirements for camera choosing.
All notes from meeting 5/16:
Ok with buying expensive camera if it works for them AND us
Delivered new HP notebook computer for us to use.
Couple notes about GUI, liked it overall
Option of spring-loading the clamps to prevent Petri-dish tilt.
Differentiate between x/y orientation plungers
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Look into theory of IA as well as how to use the MATLAB IA toolboxes, give overview of findings.
Present step-by-step code with explanations 5/21
Look into black Delrin to increase rotational ability and smoothness.
Purchased it 5/20
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Annotate CAD for presentations.
Risks and Areas of Concern
Neurons ability to grow on petri dishes - currently being determined
Ability to get suitable images for image analysis from current hardware - we will test
Resources or Information Required but not Available
N/A
Schedule
Upcoming major milestones:
Fully fleshed GUI that takes in 2-axis % stretch and output angle, feedback incorporated.
Software that responds to changes in live-video of neurons under microscope
Rotational platform to adjust stretching angle
Fabrication of final device with updated dimensions
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Updated gantt chart showed at presentation last week.
Progress on Report and Webpage
$690 remaining minus out-of-pocket expenditures.
Purchased delrin sheets for rotating platform.
Exploring purchasing silicone sheets