156B Week 3

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

• • Finalized design of prototype after consulting with Tom

  • Found load sensor that may work with our parameters

  • Ordering parts by Thursday 4/16

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Acquired information on electronic equipment reqarding DAQs and sensors from Steve

  • Determined what materials and equipment to use through Individual Component Analysis

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

• • Begin constructing prototype when materials arrive - all

  • Continue researching affordable, functioning load sensors - Cheuk

  • Improve and update CAD drawings - Ben

  • Begin the setup of LabView - Aaron

  • Order prototyping parts - Jeremy

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

• • Find a way to keep food from falling out (in person)

    • Create a plate under the gap between the cage and hopper

  • Buy a cheap laptop that runs LabView (in person)

    • We will make the purchase later in the quarter

  • Precision of weight sensor +/- 0.18 grams may not be precise enough for his purposes (in person)

    • We will try out the sensor out to test its performance

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

• • Buy the gear track instead of laser cutting it ourselves if possible (in person)

    • Researching this at the moment, may purchase other parts as well to minimize fabrication

  • CAD the new feeder system with weight sensor (in person)

    • Scheduled to be completed by Wednesday's meeting

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

• • Spi to reduce pins, James strawson from 143c, might help. (4/8 - presentation feedback)

  • The concept is clear. I would look into using switch signals/transistors if driving the system with one DAQ becomes necessary. (4/8 - presentation feedback)

  • If you have plenty of motor torque then you don't really need super low friction sliders do you? Or with super low friction sliders you don't need a high torque motor. Not sure which combination saves more money on your design. (4/8 - presentation feedback)

  • I would recommend using a simple encoder for the feedback signal used to prevent the feeder from sliding of the rails (4/8 - presentation feedback)

  • Generally curious as to how the weight sensor would work (4/8 - presentation feedback)

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • Execution of fabrication of parts and materials in prototype

  • Load sensor needs to be tested -- we do not know how well it works.

  • Figuring out how to mount/attach system to cage

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• • N/A

Schedule

• • Order parts by Thursday (4/16)

  • Begin prototyping when parts arrive

  • Update Gantt chart.

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • $0 spent and $2000 remaining

  • Will be spending ~$300 for prototyping

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • Drafted report components last week