Weekly Progress Reports

WI26 Week 8

• Preliminary CAD designs of the radiation shielding chamber with tongue-and-groove joints have been completed.

• A scaled 3D-printed prototype was fabricated to evaluate assembly, joint alignment, and overall geometry.

• An initial cost-optimization analysis of shielding materials has been developed in MATLAB.

• Sponsor feedback has been incorporated regarding weight constraints and shielding requirements.

WI26 Week 9

• Performed a Risk Reduction test in the sponsor’s lab using Hot-Rolled Steel plates to verify the TVL thickness of the material. 

• 3D printed a prototype of the windmill mechanism and tested tolerances for radiation sources

• Presented our Project Overview Presentation, receiving feedback from peers and Dr. Katya 

• Ordered electronic components for compatibility testing and early-stage electrical work

WI26 Week 10

• Conferred with the MAE machine shop to assess enclosure fabrication and potential design changes 

• Finalized enclosure dimensions and layer thicknesses for the first prototype

• Obtained workspace for project storage and assembly  

• Fabricated and tested a new windmill mechanism design

• Built prototype circuit for door stress cycle testing

SP26 Week 1

• Finalized electrical components/circuit schematic

• Began determining the program needed for the phone app

• Work on the Outer Steel Enclosure started

SP26 Week 2

• Drafted PCB and supplier

• Initiate and construct the Design Proposal Presentation

• Ordered ASTM A36 Steel Sheet from IMS

SP26 Week 3

• Ordered prototype PCB from supplier

• Finalized circuit/electrical testing

• Began machining steel plates

• RPM testing on the widmill assembly

SP26 Week 4

• Redesigned and tweaked windmill mechanism 

• Made a master CAD assembly document for spacing purposes

• Creation of a mathematical model for the windmill assembly 

• Programmed ESP32 for all components

SP26 Week 5

• Outer Steel Chamber machining done

• Ordered lead sheet for inner wall shielding 

• Reached out to Tungsten suppliers for quotes

• Ordered PCBs and performed HIL testing of the circuit schematic

• Discovered the current stepper motor does not deliver the required RPM

• Ordered a new driver and stepper motor for the windmill 

SP26 Week 6

• Designed the final PCB

• Ordered and tested new electrical components

• Completed the majority of ESP-32 programming for electrical systems

• Meeting with SIO Machinists regarding Lead Components 

• Welding Work

SP26 Week 7

• Welding Work

• Began work on mobile app

• Ordered and tested new battery

• Programmed linear hall effect sensor for source selection

• Implemented new motor in ESP32 programming

• Lead machining for inner walls completed

SP26 Week 8

• Primary objectives programmed in app

• PCB assembled

• Lid completed

• All welding work completed 

• Latest iterations of 3D printed components completed and ready for printing/testing

• Tested mobile app bluetooth control

SP26 Week 9

• Tested Hall-effect sensor source selection feature

• Debugged application  

• Revised documentation for final course deliverables

SP26 Week 10 

• Soldered and tested the PCB for proper connections 

• Added application UI features as per sponsor request 

• Performed full assembly and integration of subsystem components for final testing