156B Week 4

Past week accomplishments:

• Tested out the pump/motor control circuit and wrote Arduino code to control it

  • Used a transistor circuit instead of a motor driver to control the speeds

• Tested out new FSR and collected data to determine need for further designs

• Created an initial prototype using Dragonskin and a silicone sheet

  • Modeled and 3D printed molds to test out different ideas

• Created a final model design based off of advice from Stephen Mercsak

  • Will make changes later if there are issues with early prototyping

Sponsor Feedback:

• Size of the balloon will be around the size of an index card

• Can minimize weight this way by using a smaller volume mold

• The FSR sensor would be best if it was as flat as possible

  • Determine if the new FSR will produce decent readings

  • If not then test out the puck design

• Will supply a foam pad to aid in further sensor testing

Instructor Feedback from last week:

• Dive deeper into balloon models and start prototyping

• Matthew has helped a lot to print the 3D printed molds

  • Will start to determine feasible methods of balloon design

Current Concerns:

• How important is it that we purchase and get a hold of the ISO standard to follow?

Next Steps:

• Pour out and set the new prototypes using the molds (Udai)

• Develop the circuit and continue writing the code for the pump/motor and controls (Karie)

• Get the new FSR to work and integrate it into the system(Philip)

• Further expand on the finalized mold design and create/find the Eagle libraries for each PCB component (Ryan)

• Combine the first prototype and the circuit to see if manual control works (Karie and Udai)