Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Machined ramrod arrived form ESI with the same contour as the 1 meter long probe.
Tested the accuracy of the 1 meter long probe along side our original probe at AgriServices. Their was a discrepancy in the measurement readings, possibly due to the differing profiles of the probes. To avoid any further complications, we decided to complete the temperature testing with the original 8" long probe. Tim finished up taking the readings on Monday.
Armando was running a concurrent experiment in the lab using a heat plate but our glass sampling cup broke before any conclusive data was obtained.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
(Team) Revisit the compost facility to conduct experiments to gather data.
(Tim) Preformed a second round of experiments on Monday.
(Armando) Performed experiments on Saturday but was unable to collect any usable data.
(Paulie) Performed the data analysis and line fitting for the temperature affects using the data collected by Tim.
(Evan) Modeled the insertion and clamping mechanism to be used for the probe in Solidworks.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
(Evan) Machine clamping mechanism for probe in the machine shop.
(Armando) Purchase tubing used for the insertion rod and the t-handle.
(Tim and Paulie) Complete the analysis for the effects of temperature and density on the moisture readings. Determine a scaling factor that can be used to narrow our readings into the 5% error tolerance.
(Team) Edit the changes on the first draft of the report following the comments of Pedro and Prof. T.
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
11 Feb 2016 meeting at Reotemp:
Discussed the latest results of the temperature and density testing with Nate. Both variables widely affected the readings of our moisture probe.
Nate asked us to perform another round of testing where we observe a larger temperature variation over a longer period of time.
He would like us to perform 10 experiments using the same procedure to ensure that the data was reliable.
We have decided to use an "insertion" approach, so the usage of the final design will generally follow: insert, wait, read, remove.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
9 Feb 2016 Meeting with Instructor:
We reviewed the comments made on the first draft of the report.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
2 Feb 2016 Proof of Concept Presentation
Vibrate the probe before the measurement starts to promote settling of compost
Is calibration affected differently depending on region?
Taper the end of the ramrod for easier insertion (especially if the cross-sectional area is larger in the final design)
Better body language (e.g. hands out of pockets), secure ESI probe via fasteners or bolts/nuts.
How to compensate for temperature? Redundancy in presentation slides
Risks and Areas of Concern
The affect of temperature may be higher then we originally expected. A scaling factor needs to be determined for more accurate measurements.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Schedule
See Updated Gantt Chart.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
spent an additional ~$120 on hardhats, vests, and 5 gallon buckets.
approximately more than $3000 remaining.
Progress on Report and Webpage
Making changes to first draft of the report. Second draft due on Friday (2/19) night by midnight.