156B Week 9

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

• • The prototype mister system, fan casings, mounting brackets, and mounting bar have been machined and/or 3D printed and put together

  • Acrylic water tank has been lined with Silicon sealant three times to stop leaks (has been drying for nearly 48 hours now)

  • Tubes and wires have been connected to components inside the system, but the system has not been connected to the power supply of the cart yet

  • Before testing of the system itself can continue, the team must time how long the assembly of the system is

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Aluminum beam has been machined to allow tubing and wires to pass along its interior, and slits were made to allow the mounts to be bolted onto it

  • 3D printed mounting brackets have been made to accompany the support beam (steal plate versions will likely be used while driving the cart over uneven terrain) 

    • The final product will not have any 3D printed components and the brackets will likely be made of steal

  • Fan casing adjustments from last week have been made and the fan and misting nozzle are now able to sit inside well

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

• • Record time for assembly of the misting system (Cristobal, Chota, with help from other members)

  • Manufacture steal version of the mounting brackets (Christobal, Oscar)

  • Test the electrical and dynamic response of the system while on the golf cart, such as observing the pump cycle, mist coverage,and vibration response (Erasmo, Chota)

  • Work on user's manual (Oscar, Erasmo)

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

• • This week's sponsor meeting was meant to show how far the mister system has come, and most of the comments made where related to aesthetics (meeting 5/24/17)

    • Since the majority of the final product will be molded, the color of the plastic used is up to our sponsor

    • Our sponsor seemed to like the fact that the new design for the fan casing is smaller and reduces the need for screws being implemented along the perimeter

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

• • Rotational molding may not be the most cost efficient for all of the parts in the misting system if the unit count is only at 200 or so (in person 5/22/17)

    • The fan casings can possibly be injection molded since they are comprised of two identical halves

    • The water tank/containing unit for the electrical components will have rounded edges which facilitate rotational molding method

    • The main reason in the choice of using rotational molding is due to previous Golf Cart Misters' products using this method for dash-mounted units, but the team is aware that the time on each molding machine is valuable and the supply must be very large to warrant their use

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

• • The team should be aware of methods to remove/prevent mold from forming in the water tank (in person 5/22/17)

    • Based on the recommendation by Dr. Tustaniwskyj, rinsing the tank with Hydrogen Peroxide curing maintenance has been considered

  • Since the wires and water tubing are so close to each other while leading into the fans and mister heads, there should be some consideration in protecting the wires from leaks in the tubes (in person 5/22/17)

    • Assuming that the most likely source of a leak is at the connection where the tubes and mister nozzle meet, the wires along the path of the fans have a plastic cover over where they connect to the switches, which is were the wires are exposed for the most part. The team is considering using plastic rings at points where the wires and tubes come out of the beam and goose-neck, which also leads to the mister nozzle. 

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • The water tank solvent cement solution did not make it completely water tight, as two leaks were found, and a fish tank sealant has been applied. However, after the first coat was applied, leaks continue to be found. At present, a total of three layers of the sealant has been applied and is drying for the recommended 48 hours

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• • A method for recording the electrical signals of the misting system while on the move and in the cart is needed, since the oscilloscope that has been used in the past requires to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

Schedule

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • Limit: $1800

  • Spent as of 5/28/17: $488.34

  • Amount Remaining: $1311.66

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • Second draft has been submitted for peer review

  • The older model prototype has been replaced with the current model on the website

  • The video of the finished prototype has not been updated since the tests for the system have not been completed