Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Analysis
analysis of force curve with new brace/joint.
Design
Working on improving the design of the brace cuffs and transferable joint
Refining the Arduino code for sensor use.
Fabrication
Completed prototype for new brace and transferable joint using 3D Printed Material.
Tests
Successfully used new brace and transferable joint on the Test Arm 4/29
Met with Max and Family to test brace and joint 4/30
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Designed and printed out 3 iterations of the new brace and joint.
Written Arduino code for flex sensor control of the actuator complete
still need to test using the test arm.
Looked into multiple different harness types using the textbook borrowed
made some initial designs of the harness for the device.
Successfully tested actuation of arm on Max
He controlled the device with his left hand
Reported it was "comfy"
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Finish the Proof of Concept Presentation Slides.
Look into battery housing (Cory, Ethan)
Consider harnessing (Cory, Marcos)
Revise prototype to fit Max now that we have scanned arm (Marcos)
Start prototyping on circuit board (Ethan, Jose)
Conduct tests with flex sensor (Ethan, Jose)
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Met with Jesus Mendoza and Dr. Skalsky on 4/23
incorporate harness into final design.
Will work with Chuy to develop harness
do not constrain the hands
Hands are free
Chuy can help us scan Max's arm.
Done
Design a transferable joint so it can work as he grows.
Done; we are switched from developing the brace to developing a transferable joint
Look into use of individual batteries
No-go. We will use a battery pack - that way Max's family can buy a few and replace them.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Take into consideration the Ideas from Max's Family on items such as:
using buckles vs Velcro
having different modes of sensing, and how to switch between these modes.
Give Max something to try out:
he can figure out the device better than we can, and we shouldn't underestimate that.
He did well with the up-button and down-button controls
Is able to figure out any control method we throw at him
the sooner we put something on him, the better.
Done, we are going to put something on him again.
Look into disposable SpO2 sensors, Accelerometers, video game controller.
Will implement at least one pressure sensor and flex sensor on hand
Avoid using individual batteries:
hard to get the wiring done, when the battery packs already account for that.
Agreed. We will use a 9.6 volt battery with voltage regulators on the linear actuator(s)
Incorporate some type of hard stop when brace catches on something.
possibly measure current draw of actuator.
Add a stop button for Max
Play the student card.
Still need to address this with Chuy but he hasn't brought up cost at all.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
none, presentation is next week for the Proof of Concept.
Risks and Areas of Concern
Harnessing - we want this to be as comfortable as possible
Aligning the transfer joint correctly over the brace such that the center of rotation for the brace is the same as the center of rotation of the arm
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Awaiting more flex sensors from Amazon to test with (will arrive this week)
Schedule
Describe upcoming milestone
Update Gantt chart.
Test another prototype with Max (weeks 6 or 7)
Develop brace with Chuy (Week 6)
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Spent: $655.81
Remaining: $844.19
Progress on Report and Webpage
Report: will finish half of every section by Friday per assignment requirements
Webpage: Periodic uploads for milestones (test bed, prototype, testing, etc..)