Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Currently analyzing different models of railgun sludge (solder, plaster, hot glue, etc,) in an attempt to most accurately replicate the problem of the cart getting stuck
Have built 3D printed cart as well as acrylic bore to test different sludge models
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Designed and 3D printed a model of the cart used by GA
Measured aluminum replica of bore provided by GA so acrylic models of the bore could be made and tested
Built 1 model of the bore using acrylic for bore body and hot glue as a sludge replica
Goals for Next week
Will be going to GA location to test their cart with our created bore and designed sludge in an attempt to better understand the problem of the cart getting stuck (Friday, the 13th)-All Members
We will be using drywall mud (as recommend by sponsor) as one model for the sludge-All Members
Create multiple CAD models of different cart designs-All Members
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
We showed the sponsors out cart and bore design and discussed our concerns with accurately creating a model of the sludge
Sponsors recommended drywall mud or solder as possible options and they said they would be happy for use to test their cart with the types of sludge and confirm their accuracy-We will test the drywall sludge on Friday, March 13th.
Discussed preliminary cart designs and Dr. Watley recommended using BJB enterprises to get material to build rubber wheels if we desired to do so
Sponsors also pointed out that vertical walls of the bore have small divots that could also cause problems in cart movement, they said they would provide an accurate CAD model of the bore that would demonstrate these divots
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
Recommend more ambitious risk reduction as well more division of tasks among members.
Instead of just using CAD models for the risk reduction we decided to build a model of the cart and the bore in an attempt to replicate the sludge as accurately as possible. Then cart designs will be built around this.
The task of building the cart and the bore was divided among members. Cesar, Danny, and Daniel worked on the bore, while Arman and Sina designed and built the 3D cart. Sina also cut PVC used for the bore
We will further divide research and design tasks as the project continues, such as microcontroller research and potential optics analysis research
Risks and Areas of Concern
Biggest risk currently is most effectively replicating the sludge, without doing so, building the cart around an inaccurate model will be useless
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Small amount of acyrlic (2 ft x 14 in.)-$20
PVC $8