Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Design of conveyor loop is complete.
Purchase of components for curves initiated on Wednesday.
Started analysis/research for heating of glycerin.
Started analysis/research for increasing fill speed by using Controllino or integrating Arduino motor driver.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Finished Design Proposal Presentation.
Curved roller track design is complete and materials purchases initiated on Wednesday.
1/3 approved by Ian. Other 2 waiting on JT.
Decided to purchase power conveyor belt.
Only $300 more, sponsor would rather spend more money to avoid bigger delays later on.
Submitted engineering drawings for machined components to ReoTemp lead engineer for feedback.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Purchase components for power conveyor & alternative belts (Ethan)
Finalize engineering drawings with ReoTemp machinists for all gauge holder components (Desi, Elaine)
Work with application engineers to design heating system for the glycerin (Elaine)
Finish researching and present different options to increase fill speed to sponsor (Justin)
Research sensors and materials not detectable by sensors (Desi, Ethan)
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
4/10/20 Zoom Meeting
Heating solutions: want a valve to recycle cold glycerin from pipe into tank.
Would rather spend more money for a guaranteed solution to prevent hold ups.
Ok with spending $1000 to upgrade PLC.
Have only received one invoice request from last quarter so far.
4/10/20 Email
Ok with doing purchases through MAE Department index and then invoice at end of quarter.
Can also do purchases directly through the company's purchasing department.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
4/6/20 Design Proposal Presentation
Comment: Concern about gauge not being able to handle increased filling rate, need for settling time.
Action: Confirmed with sponsor during Friday 4/10/20 meeting that two of the largest gauges (4" and 6") can be filled as fast as possible. The 4.5" gauge may require one pause during filling.
4/10/20 Meeting with Edward Pogue
Comment: Learn more about stepper motors
Comment: Alternative ways to step up frequency of PLC without upgrading PLC unit
Action: Researched alternative options
PLC + Arduino
Controllino
Made pros and cons of each, and will present to sponsor this week.
Comment: Be sure to nail down specifics of what the sponsor wants (eg: fill speed time)
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
4/6/20 (Design Proposal Presentation):
Decreasing the stepper motor steps would reduce resolution of the pump.
Suggested dynamic analysis of the conveyor belt and roller track.
Talk more about the reasoning behind design decisions.
Some slides were too cluttered and the presenter talked too quickly.
Risks and Areas of Concern
Somewhat low calculated FOS for conveyor curves (FOS = 1.6) and relies on switching out conveyor belt material.
Backup plan is to introduce declines along curves & incline along back powered section.
Some risk in switching out the belts - have talked with application engineers.
Concern about not being able to meet secondary goal of automated size detection due to time constraints.
Additional primary objective of increasing filling speed has taken priority.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Schedule
Week 5 Monday: Proof-of-Concept Presentation.
Gantt chart is updated.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Amount Spent:
Confirmed: $1,036.06
Pending Approval: $364.78
Amount Remaining: $8,599.18
Progress on Report and Webpage
Completed first draft of sections of report:
Background
Review of existing solutions
Statement requirements
Deliverables
Title page
Appendix with individual component analysis