Week 4

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

• • Spring steel design buried

  • Currently deciding on bearing design and timing belt actuation method

• Testing rig design/creation still in progress

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Timing belt research showed normal operation within necessary temperature range for most belt options

  • Timing belts widely available in sizes which meet our constraints

  • High temperature thermal performance testing apparatus design complete

  • Low temperature thermal performance testing apparatus design near completion

  • Life cycle testing apparatus design in progress

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

• • Compliance analysis for timing belt design (will per-puck compliance be avoidable?) (Sean & Mike)

  • Design hard stops (Alex)

  • Decide bearing setup (3x small with ketron ring vs. large bearing) (Sean, Mike, Alex)

  • Ongoing Proof-of-Concept report/presentation work (all members)

  • Complete design for heat/cold test rig; complete design for cycle testing rig (Steven and Tai)

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Meeting with Ernest (Jan. 24th)

    • Timing belt concerns: 

      • Kevlar-laced may survive temps better

      • Double-sided would eliminate the need for so many rollers, on the plus side

      • vs. dry chain? Timing belt may last longer?

    • Suggestions:

      • Brecoflex and Gates manufacturers for timing belts

      • Stock Drive Products for "pulley stock" (long rod with belt teeth grooves down the length)

      • Bearing material (Torlon, Teflon, Vespel) instead of a plain bearing

    • Hard stops should be below top of plate so wear dust doesn't affect DUTs

    • DUT angle with respect to timing belt teeth of the puck need to be specified for each individual puck

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments  (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• Comments: (from meeting on Jan. 15th)

  • • Look into puck bearing constraints for vertical movement

    • Spring steel comments:

      • Look into temperature effects on longevity of springs and spring steel

      • Look into "push-pull" ribbon mechanism

• Actions:

• • Two bearing methods found, designs drawn up

  • Spring steel method discarded, but applied temperature concerns to timing belt

    • belts found to operate normally within necessary temperature range

Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Q: Can timing belt run tangent to pucks, avoiding rollers? (from presentation on Jan. 22nd)

    • A: We decided using rollers and having timing belt partially wrap around each puck will be more reliable

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • Design of air cylinder-crank connection may require a slider (we'll try to design around needing a slider)

Schedule

• • Describe upcoming milestone

  • Update Gantt chart.

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • None spent.

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • Impact on society section added to rough draft of report

  • Reports section of site made tidier and up to date on presentations