Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Waiting for delivery of mechanical components, most of which should be delivered by tuesday
Design Finalized and electrical circuit manufactured
Software for the arduino is nearly complete and requires only a bit of debugging and optimization
Continual research of the rotary and linear seal (Parker)
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Finalized mechanical and electrical design
Ordered first round of Parts to create prototype
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Begin soldering pin headers onto the Arduino Pro Mini (Calvin and Denis)
Building Housing Assembly (Calvin, David, Alan, Colin, and Denis)
Finalize electrical design with Ed Progue and determine proper water-proof sealings (Calvin and Denis)
Determine a method to secure the electrical leads (powers the motor), ensuring it is waterproof. (Colin, David, Alan, Denis, and Colin)
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
We explained our circuit and housing design to Bart, and he gave us a couple of suggestions and references that could be used.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
Parts should be ordered as soon as possible in order to build a physical prototype, because the hardware has a lot of debugging
All parts have been ordered and should be arriving by the middle of the week.
Reduce the number of seals, because that is more points of failure
One of the static seals was replaced with a permanent seal, and the other seal was redesigned to be more easily manufactured
Risks and Areas of Concern
Power management of the electrical system. We need to have the device be able to last a season ~100 uses or it needs to be rechargeable.
We researched power consumption rates of multiple microcontroller units (MCU) and determined the Arduino Pro Mini would be the best option.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Schedule
Develop a working prototype that utilizes the electrical timing system by the middle of Week 8. Waiting for parts to be delivered or machined ASAP to move forward with testing phase.
Aim to have a field test (pool or beach) some time by the 8th week.
Project Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining):
Plastic Gears for gear train: $6.99
Metal rods for gear train: $7.99
ATMEGA328P 16Mhz Arduino Pro Mini Module x5: $18.00
Motor Driver Controller Board Module: $9.88
PCB Board Prototype 30 Pcs: $9.89
Linear actuator: $39.99
4 inch PVC: $23.56
O-rings 20pieces: $5.99
Amount remaining: $4162.64
Minor Components Spending:
Arduino Pro Mini FTDI Friend USB Connector: $15.07 (only needed for programming, not intended for actual project)
If minor components are considered in the project budget:
Amount remaining: $4232.18
Progress on Report and Webpage
Report has been reviewed and suggestions for improvements will be taken into account for the 2nd draft.