Week 7

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

• • The plug was tested on a live pig Italian Sausage over the weekend. The plug was successfully inserted into the pig's anus, but with a lot of resistance from big's sphincter muscle. The pig's anus might not be a good represent due to its relative smaller size compared to human's. 

  • Based on the test, we came to the conclusion that the flap folding backwards may not be a good idea and has to fold forwards. The flap could also be smaller so as not to wrinkle on itself as it's being folded and inserted.

• • The second mold was printed out of tango black for higher resolution (compared to PLA), but the finish of the mold is extremely poor due to some unknown reasons. The team believes it is important to help the sponsor to perform the quality check and budget control even when the sponsor is not present, thus the team decides to request for refund or price cut on the poorly printed mold from Chris Cassidy, but the request was denied. Chris Cassidy insisted to use sand paper to smooth out the bumps on the mold, but no significant improvement on the mold after the sanding process being performed. Ian Richardson insisted that there are no known way to improve the poorly printed mold. 

  • The team decided to proceed with the poorly printed mold to cast out the design due to the time constraint and the issue presented in the previous paragraph. 

  • The cast was placed into an oven at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the part cured in 15 minutes. The durometer of the part hasn't been measured yet.

  • Plug was redesigned to be more ergonomic with the addition of a separate clip in order to have the plug be able to clamp onto the colonoscope.

  • flap may have to be rounded so it can fold forward and look like a plug. When the plug is inserted, the flap will want to flex back and stay in place. Like spring-loaded fins.

  • The plug tip can be cut off to allow the flaps to fold forward. 

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Performed trial on pig

  • Casted two halves of a plug from Makerbot molds.

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

• • Redesign the flap

  • Implement the clamp design

  • Improve the mold and print new one

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

• • Redesign the flap so that it will be easier for the user to fold it forward (5/17)

  • Good clamp design made by Nam (5/17)

  • No applicator tool because it increases complexity.

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

• • Importance of the report (5/11)

  • continue with the design by iteration report.

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

• • N/a because no presentation yet.

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • Quality control on the mold printed out by Tango Black 

  • Budget control on poorly printed mold (unable to get refund or price cut on poorly printed mold)

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• • IRB application

Schedule

• • Describe upcoming milestone

  • Update Gantt chart.

  • Going to meet with IRB people next Monday at 11:30am.

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • Molding equipment: $220.68

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • N/a