Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Completed preliminary foot test with MAE force gauge
Accuracy issue due to human control during use arose
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Purchased preliminary risk reduction products
Load cells
Arduino
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Deciding a pathway for design by individual analysis of components
Consider implementation of spring system or four-bar linkage/servo system
Encountering an op amp that will provide a rough estimate
Begin circuitry task
Test load cells against lightweight static masses
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Meeting, 3/15/2013
Consider conducting a small survey to understand how many doctors actually use the microfilament test
Long-term concern that does not need immediate attention
Brainstorming of the replacement tips for metal microfilament and the process to purchase/make them
Secondary concern after product development, may be easily resolved with injection molding
Patenting
Cleaning and sanitary requirements
UV, liquid, alcohol pad are not sufficient, throw-away and replacement tips required
Meeting, 4/2/2013
Positive reinforcement
Start prototyping and physical manifestation of basic product
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Meeting, 3/14/2013
Accuracy requirements (+- grams or %)
Load cells should have 0.05 N (~0.5 gram) accuracy
Pre-loaded load cell
This would wear the load cell, potentially cause noise, and reduce accuracy over time
Hard to maintain
Multiple methods of analysis
(1) Buy a load cell, (2) mount our own load cells, (3) build our own load cells
(1) Purchased two load cells to test
(2) Met with Isaiah who showed us a little more in-depth the process of mounting
(3) Still considering purchasing load cells to save time
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Lecture from comment cards, 3/19/2013
PWM
Table
Spring system
Squiggle motor
Risks and Areas of Concern
Force application and accuracy
Without the ability to apply the force properly, no matter how accurate we are able to make the system, we will not achieve good results
Must be well-controlled
Human error must be reduced as much as possible
Must be normal to the foot surface
Current Solutions
Considering a stand or tripod system, but would increase time of use
Four bar linkage and servo (proposed by Razi Alon), but would create friction at various points
Directly handheld
Spring system mounted to load cells to reduce noise
Piston with buckling system
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Opposite issue; access to too many resources with regards to load cells andn spring systems
Schedule
CAD models of potential casings
Circuitry and microprocessing tests
Have sensor chosen by the end of next week, 4/12/2013
Build an acrylic prototype mount to test in the vertical direction for load cell
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Remaining budget: 1431.51
Progress on Report and Webpage
Introduction of project completed
Team members and sponsor information completed
Link to sponsor profile
Risk Reduction Presentation uploaded and linked on front page
Began preliminary report draft on Google Docs