156B Week 8
Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Design and fabrication of functioning prototype fully completed
All components are fully integrated and assembled
Software for functioning prototype fully debugged and functional
Currently working on:
Integration of easy-cleanup button
Integration of potentiometer for serving size control
Tests for optimization of taste
Implementation of more powerful pumps, more suitable valves, and more heat-resistant tubing
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Cleaned up all electronics and wiring placement
Trimmed all wires
Integrated circuit onto protoboard from breadboard
Applied wiring loom onto all wiring bunches
Inserted electronics into liquid-safe container to protect against accidental splashes
Improved on machine's aesthetics
Trimmed down extraneous fixturing (e.g. protruding sheet metal / aluminum extrusions)
Wire organization and management
Created "holster" / mount for temperature sensor
Created guide fixture for easy-insertion of ingredients tube
Fully debugged code
Conducted several successful tests of making Chai Latte
Troubleshot issues with mechanical components
Solid dispenser issues with motor to dispenser interface
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Implement no-spill valves in lieu of current quick-release liquid container adapters
Purchase either:
Socket and breaker bar for easy insertion of new valves
New Nalgene bottle so that threads can be put into bottle itself
Install stronger pumps so that a greater flow rate can be achieved
More effective flushing
Implement easy clean-up button
Goal of initiating flushing sequence for milk piping system with the push of a button
Implement potentiometer for serving size control
Adjusting serving size of each run of the machine by scrolling to desired range of resistance
Must make sure that scrolling destination is clearly marked out
Perhaps on mounting feature for potentiometer
Thoroughly clean the machine so that the tea that is made is drinkable
Run multiple tests to optimize tea flavor and ensure reliability
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Sponsor comments made on Wednesday 5/13/15:
Friday 5/15/15 meeting will not have team's involvement
Meeting is with potential investor
Very high-leveled: more of a focus on market need than technical details
Friday 5/22/15 presentation for E-Challenge
Team will be involved - though not everyone
Only two people approximately to present on a stage
Greater involvement in business developments continuing forward
Plan for eventual taste test with specific survey developed by sponsors
Actions taken to address comments:
Preparation for E-Challenge meeting to commence as soon as sponsor sends over presentation slides
Requesting permission from Dr. Delson to do taste test at hardware demonstration
Ask for other possible times for conducting taste test
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Instructor comments made on Tuesday 5/12/15:
Consider using screw terminal for protoboard
Consider off-the-shelf precision powder dispensers for solving solid dispenser issues
Another solution could be manually packing powder in for demonstration
Only capable of conducting 1 trial
Don't focus on powder dispenser
There are already preexisting solutions on the market for powder dispensing
Not as innovative as the rest of the machine
Add labels to all components so that observers can better understand the machine
Get Chai tea out as soon as possible so that taste tests can happen
Find the full time for going through 1 trial
Consider potential questions that could be asked during project demonstrations:
Ease of cleaning
Frothing
Differences between prototype and final product
Be sure to ask whether or not the design team will be present at any presentations
Actions taken to address comments:
Discussed business involvement with sponsors
Fixed the solid dispensing issues
Chai tea process now operational (though no drinkable tests have been conducted thus far)
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
N/A
Risks and Areas of Concern
Refining recipe and measurement hardware so that a delicious cup of Chai Latte can be made very single time
Also adjusted so that multiple servings can be made with approximately equivalent taste each time
Implementation of potentiometer:
Possibility of user toggling to an "intermediate zone" between two settings
Potential issues that may arise when refining taste
Calibrating water / milk to solids ratio
Milk / water quantities are more easily changed than solids since solids are dependent on the disk size of the dispenser
Procuring a cart for transportation of machine to and from demonstrations
Running out of pins on Arduino board - cannot add much else in terms of components that need to be controlled
Could switch over to Arduino Mega but software issues will most likely arise if a new microprocessor is used
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Customer feedback on taste and design
Schedule
Taste test for hardware demonstration in Week 9 presentation
Subject to Dr. Delson's approval
Additional taste test scheduling
For completion of a cumulative 50 surveys
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Spent: $808.25
Remaining: $191.75
Progress on Report and Webpage
2nd draft of report currently being compiled in preparation for Friday deadline
Webpage weekly log updated
Work on 2nd draft is being done in parallel with 2nd draft of report