156B Week 1

Spring Break/Week 1 Accomplishments:

Blowout Pressure calculations were complete in MATLAB.  A graph was created to compare possible blowout pressure between different gasket materials. 

A free body diagram of a latch style clamp was completed to better understand its available mechanical advantage. 

The scaled pressure-test prototype was designed in SolidWorks. This included a general assembly of the test rig. It will be designed to hold a vacuum and read the gauge pressure for an extended amount of time in order to simulate flange conditions on the gasket and clamps/bolts. 

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item).  Due by sponsor meeting on Wednesdays. 

1. Solve the blowout pressure equation but for a vacuum case. This will account for operating pressure holding the flange together rather than trying to separate them. -- Patrick

2. Compare all initial designs with an update Pugh chart. Select the best design choices and present it to the sponsor. -- Whole Team

3. Finalize scaled prototype test rig CAD and develop a budget list with a bill or materials(BOM) -- John David and Young

4. Write up proposal for scaled prototype test rig -- Josue

5. Create a MATLAB code to iteratively analyze how force will be reduced when further away from the applied load -- John David/Jose

   1. This is used to determine clamp spacing on the flange

6. Find the current force exerted on the flange due to the bolt torque -- Jose

7. Source digital vacuum gauges for use on the test piece -- Patrick

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

1. Investigate the effect of 2 gasket strips on the flange

   1. This will be included in the MATLAB analysis of blowout pressure 

2. Source digital pressure gauges to collect vacuum data during clamp/gasket tests

   1. These will be included in next weeks updated bill of materials for the scaled prototype test rig 

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments  (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

1. Change blowout pressure calculations to assume that the vacuum -- in person

   1. this will be addressed in the MATLAB code and the gasket comparison graph will be regenerated -- in person

2. Create a weight system for the Pugh chart 

   1. This will be changed when the design comparison spreadsheet is created. 

Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

None

Risks and Areas of Concern

Blowout pressure will be the most important force for applying clamp force

Find out why the 60 bolts are torqued to the specification that they are. 

Resources or Information Required but not Available

1. Why flange bolts are torqued to their current spec

Schedule

• • Design comparisons 

  • Update Gantt chart.

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

spent: $0

remaining: $1800