Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
After meeting with Isiah, Ernest and Robert redesigned key elements of the sled and blade.The new design of the sled was significantly different from the original sled design. But sponsors felt it was better to go with the original design of the sled and just make it longer to accommodate for the second blade.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Buried the carbon fabric anodes in the test tanks and attached the titanium wires to the anode and graphite plate cathode.
Got a quote for the materials for the newly proposed design of the sled.
Drew up the actual design of the sled in order to provide our sponsors a bill of materials.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Order the materials. (Kyle and sponsors)
Attach the titanium wires from the test tank to a breadboard with appropriate resistors. (Everyone)
Begin cutting materials and begin welding the sled. (Robert and Kyle)
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
4/11 After discussing the new designs of the sled with the sponsors and the budget associated with the new design, the sponsors had concerns with the cost of it. The quote for the materials for the new design was around $1600.
4/12 (Email) The sponsors e-mailed Robert and said they did not want to go with the new design just yet. They would like to stick to the original sled design because it was proven to work and expand on that. Therefore, the team is using the original sled design and increasing the width and the length to accommodate for the carbon fabric anode and the second blade mount, respectively.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
4/9 Yoshio suggested that although using aluminum for the sled and blade might decrease the weight of the sled, it is extremely difficult to weld aluminum. Welding aluminum and stainless steel was also not possible. As a result, the team has just agreed to use stainless steel for the entire sled because of the ease of welding.
4/10 Isiah gave us a lot of good insight into the design of the sled and blade design. He said the blade does not need to be adjustable because once the blade passes a certain angle, it would be like digging through the sediment with a vertical wall as opposed to an angled blade. The team has decided to fix the blade onto the mount.
The upper portion of the sled wasn't necessary. If there were cross beams added to the bottom portion of the sled, that would provide sufficient structural support. This suggestion was incorporated into the new design.
He suggested the two cable mounts at the bottom of the sled to create a moment on the sled as it is being dragged. This was incorporated into the new design as well.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
N/A
Risks and Areas of Concern
Once the raw material is ordered and delivered, there are some concerns regarding how the material will be transported. One 4'x5' 14 gage stainless steel sheet weighs approximately 126 lbs.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
None
Schedule
Email Bill of Materials to sponsors by Monday.
Hook up wires from test tank to breadboard with appropriate resistors by Wednesday.
Begin cutting material by Saturday.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Same as last week.
Progress on Report and Webpage
Uploaded different portions of the report to website.
Uploaded a copy of the quote for materials for the new design on to the website.