Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
The team has decided to redesign the sled, because a small scale model does not allow for test runs that accurately replicate what is desired and is too weak to withstand the forces. Rather than building a complete sled, the team will build a skeleton of it out of the chosen material and attached the blade mounts.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Each member has completed and turned in their individual component analysis. Jeffrey completed the analysis of a load cell, Robert completed the analysis for the blade material selection, Ernest has completed the analysis for the tow cable, and Kyle has completed the analysis for the blade mount.
Ernest and Kyle has gotten more sand from the beach and caulk for the wire connections and set up the tank in the lab space and lab space has been set up for testing of the anodes.
All workshops signed up for have been completed.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Purchase metal material for sled from Industrial Metal Supply (Kyle)
Cut carbon fabric anodes into 6'x6' sheets and bury into test tank. (Ernest, Jeffrey, Robert)
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
4/3 in person: Sponsors commented on our blade design and expressed concerns about the rear mounts tearing the carbon fabric unraveling from the forward mount. Proposed extending the length of the sled and placing the shorter mount at the end. Team is taking into consideration that proposal and are discussing designs to make sled wider and designing a way to center the fabric as it is unraveling.
Sponsors suggest using a 6'x6' carbon fabric for voltage testing. The sponsors gave us the power output of the fabric, 10 mW/m^2 of fabric and the voltage desired, 0.4 V. Using those values we are able to calculated the resistance values needed to set up the test tank. Sponsors cautioned us to reduce the resistors in steps.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
4/3 in person: Gain more information about load cells and how they work because it was first time anyone in the group used load cells. Jeffrey did a component analysis on how load cells work.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
None
Risks and Areas of Concern
If the length of the sled is extended in order to attach the shorter blade at the rear, the load experienced by the tow cable is unknown and the current tow cable being used may not be sufficient. The group may also not have the means of testing the sled due to the increase in load.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Is the load cell capable of measuring the load?
Schedule
Assign report portions.
Purchase metal material.
Finalize set up of test tank.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
5 gallon bucket, bucket lid, caulk, and caulk gun - $9.17
Progress on Report and Webpage
Component analysis have been uploaded to the webpage.