Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Motor Software integration still ongoing
Brainstorming options for linear slider installation
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Identified and purchased viable sliding mechanism for motor
Poured gel-bearing mixture for first iteration of Attenuating Screen
Purchased several items to help finalize the project: linear slider, crockpot, loctite threadlocker, additional steel ball bearings, velcro straps, ladel with spout, sieve
Constructed mount for linear slider and attached it to motor
Built cover for motor power supply
Purchased power cord and connector per Instructor advice
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Incorporate/attach linear slider to 3D Plotter
Mount motor power supply on 3D Plotter
Identify feasible and timely options for mounting the linear slider and motor
Have the next phantom and one more screen fully built
Complete construction of second iteration of Screen case
Fabricated third and final 2D Phantom following Team recommendations to Sponsor
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
16MAY2017 (In-Person meeting in EBU2 333):
Discussed the effort to reach out to UCSD Bioengineering students. These would perform data collection and Matlab reconstruction. Wondered if it would be possible for these students, once chosen, to take a tour of the Team workspace and see, firsthand, the components being worked on
Seemed pleased with first pour of gel mixture to create Attenuating Screen. Commented positively on the presentation of the Screen and seeming randomness of the ball bearings
Witnessed Z-axis actuation in motion and was made aware of ongoing efforts to complete the XYZ Plotter: motion control completion, integration of linear slider
Asked about the addition of a cart, he stated that he would prefer for an actual cart to be purchased over adding casters to the Southworth lift tool
Expressed concerns relating to safety once more. Worried that the Screen, once in place, might fall onto the much more fragile XY Plotter. Team reminded Sponsor that the Screen would be secured via the handles and also via velcro straps. His major concern, he clarified, was in passing the components over to other users who might not be as familiar with them as the Team is
Team reiterated that, in the end, the necessary program would potentially be a proprietary Makeblock software or other G-code compatible platforms; the determination has not yet been made
Team explained that one of the earlier versions of the Phantom failed following a fall and proposed that the thickness of the connecting ring be increased. While the Sponsor lamented the potential for attenuation loss, he indicated that structural soundness trumped all other concerns. While not disastrous, a future spillage of water containing radioactive material might force the hospital imaging room to be closed off for several hours
Explained how improved efficiency could reduce the amount of isotope injected into patient and/or time required for imaging
Team discussed the possibility of visiting the hospital in the near future to mount the current Screen and possibly collect data (merely for efficiency comparison) that could be used in a future presentation
18MAY2017 (Team Visit to Thornton Hospital): [Team mounted the Attenuating Screen onto the Camera, took pictures, and took down pertinent data.]
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
16MAY2017 (In-Person Meeting in EBU2 333):
Team showed Instructor lift actuation and explained ongoing issues with the software: attempting to combine the 2 sets of code that control the XY Plotter and the Lift into 1 for ease of use
Team explained its most recent unforeseen component failure: the 2D Phantom broke following a fall. After extensive discussion, it was determined that failure occurred high stress on one side of the phantom. The solution arrived at (and the most feasible given the time frame) involves increasing the thickness of the ring joining the top and bottom cylinders of the phantom. Changes to CAD renderings will be changed accordingly and parts cut out with the Lasercamm
Discussed further issues the Team was experiencing, namely performing a weight test on the Screen and its handles. This was subsequently performed by letting the Screen hang from its handles for a period of well over 24 hours
Provided tips on upcoming Team presentation: remind audience of what the project is about and where the Team currently is; show items constructed; provide videos if possible of parts in motion; provide data if possible pertaining to the Screen
Risks and Areas of Concern
Lingering complications fully integrating the motor
Structural stability of 2D Phantom after weakness was discovered in previous iteration
Ensuring that Screen handles will be able to support the Screen and that it can be properly strapped onto the Camera Head
Schedule
Describe upcoming milestone
Update Gantt chart.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
MakeBlock XY Plotter Robot Kit - $279.88 (Amount remaining: $3720.12)
MakeBlock Me Orion - $29.99 (Amount remaining: $3690.13)
Southworth Lift Tool + Expedited Shipping - $869.44 (Amount remaining: $2820.69)
Nylon Screws - $8.26 (Amount remaining: $2812.43)
Ballistic Gel - $321.43 (Amount remaining: $2491.00)
2-mm Steel Ball Bearings - $87.47 (Amount remaining: $2403.53)
Integrated Stepper Motor/Driver - $280.54 (Amount remaining: $2122.99)
Polycarbonate Pellets - $93.64 (Amount remaining: $2029.35)
4-mm Steel Ball Bearing - $138.45 (Amount remaining: $1890.90)
Power Cord and Connector - $14.00 (Amount remaining: $1876.90)
Miscellaneous Equipment - $132.72 (Amount remaining: $1744.18)
Linear Slider - $247.75 (Amount remaining: $1496.43)
Plastic Epoxy - $9.97 (Amount remaining: $1486.46)
Comm. Cables and Switch - $18.04 (Amount remaining: $1468.42)
Progress on Report and Webpage
Preliminary Design Review Presentation underway
Constant updates being made to Webpages (weekly progress reports, week 2/3/4 write-ups, first draft of final report). These are being made according to the feedback received from Instructor