156B Week 2

Past week accomplishments:

• Tested different FSR’s sensors to determine feasibility

• Purchase DC pump/vacuum and valves

• Ordered new force sensor and supplementary circuit components (op-amp, DMM)

• Look at different designs of the support and a solution to make the relation between the height of the air being pumped into the support linear

• Started determining methods of manufacturability and design

• Designed overall circuit connecting all sensor and actuators

• Modeled pump/vacuum to start modeling housing for buttons and air input

Sponsor Feedback:

• Received ballpark nominal dimensions for the device

• Approved current designs for force and pressure sensors

• Suggested general ISO standards to look at

• Enthusiastically approved pump/vacuum and valve selection

Instructor Feedback from last week:

• Our design of support could be good enough and satisfy our needs.

• Read more about sensors and look for different types.

• Reach out again to Steve Roberts to ask about sensors

Current Concerns:

• Is it worthwhile to design a PCB for the circuit? Or should we just go with our prototyping method using a giant breadboard and wires? What resources do we have for PCB design?

• How should we get access to the ISO standards? How important are the standards to us?

Next Steps:

• Test and set up the pump/vacuum and valves circuitry (Karie)

• Determine the feasibility of the Tekscan sensor that was purchased (Philip)

• Design “sandwich” idea of pucks

• Modify our support and test different designs (Udai)

• Look into pressure sensors to implement safeties to the system (Ryan)

• Continue designing electrical circuit housing (Ryan)