Update #4-MCM Complete

Last week we completely MS#8 and our mcm except for the motor connection. We were able to overcome problems with our pulley and belt assembly by using two parallel plates that allow us to adjust the height of the pulley in order to keep the belts tight and rotate our links. This made our linkage much more efficient and less likely to fail. We also expanded our manufacturing plan so that we know exactly what needs to be built and how do build it, in order to complete our slot bot.

This week we will need to completely finish cad design for our top car and discuss and change a few problems that we can for see in manufacturing it. These problems need to be changed early in the week so that we can begin making each part, we have already signed up for every day from 12-2 and plan on signing up at other times as well as meeting today at 2 today to make these changes. Finally, we will need to come up with our final schedule for shop times and completing our entire slot bot. this will allow us to know exactly when each part will be manufactured and our entire bots will be complete allowing a few days before the competition in case any problems are found with our machine during this process.

here is the updated schedule and to-do list:

https://spreadsheets2.google.com/ccc?key=tVwoB8C_F03Y2R0tkkxGLUA&hl=en#gid=0

https://spreadsheets1.google.com/ccc?key=t9FQhkt4mkrfURXTnIMrkmA&hl=en#gid=0

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

update #3-second week manufacturing

This week we focused on manufacturing all the linkage components, including shafts and arms. when all the components were done, we press-fitted the busings we bought and tried to assemble components. However, we met a problem that the shaft does not fit into the bushing and also it is too short for placing two washers at the ends. Then we modified the dimensions of our shafts a little bit by reducing the length between the groove and the end faces, and made the shafts again. At the same time, John helped us to reamer the size of the holes and Claire looked for thinner washers. finally, all the pieces came together and worked pretty well. we can rotate each link nicely and smoothly.

This week we also machined the pillow stockes for our top car. Claire used the linear band saw to cut the pieces into right sizes and then drilled the holes on them by using the drill press. Next, Claire used 0.375 in reamer to open up the holes and press fit the bushings into it.

next week, we will still be working on our MCM- linkage, we are planning to assemble the right body plate with the linkage, machine the scoopers, and connect the linkage with motor. hope we can get that done by thanksgiving.

Update #2- First week machining

During the first week in the shop we focused on making the linkage arms and the shafts for our most critical module. Before we start machining, we realized that using Aluminum for the arms is not a good way to go since its relativly heavy and pricy for what we want to make. Then we decided to use PVC for our links and confirmed with Davor that we are able to get some pvc pieces from the shop for free. Hooray~ By having our raw materials ready, we were about to start. We divided our team to two sub-teams. Juan and Jim were working on the links by using milling machine. Claire and Court were woking on the shafts by using lathe.
To start, we cut and faced our pvc block to be 1'' and 1/2'' thick, and sized them to the right dimentions. Then we used mill to drill holes on the link pieces in orde to place shafts. At the end of the week, we basicly finished the links except the holes on the side that need to be put set screws.
At the same time, Claire and Court were machining the shafts. We started by cutting the shafts to the right length. Then we used the groove cut-off tool to make grooves for E-clips. However, we met a problem that the surface around the grooves we cut were not flat. we asked John and he suggested us to use small fier to get rid of the small chips. That helped us a lot and the shafts looked much nicer. next, we used lathe to drill holes in the center of the shaft by using the #27 drill bit. Of course, we started by using the center-point drill bit.
I think we had a more clear idea on how we are gonna machine our parts after the first week. As we experience more in the shop, we will be more familier with the tools. Above are some pics of the things we have done during the first week, please check them out~ ^^

Update #1 - Most Critical Module Drawings

Last Friday we had to hand in drawings for our most critical module.  We agreed that our most critical module was the linkage since without it we can't score on the slot, which is the main goal of our strategy.  After designing it on Solidworks we showed our GSI (Davor Copic) what we had.  He was not pleased at first, and gave us a lot of VERY HELPFUL pointers on how to modify our module to make it more machinable, more feasible and more competitive.  We worked on it for 8-10 hours straight and the next day we showed our GSI the progress for which he said it was an excellent work and he saw improvement in our design.  Here are some of the drawings we made and plan to use for our manufacturing process this upcoming weeks. 

LAWYERED!

-Marshall Eriksen

Lawyered!

Court just got lawyered... Today we went to a place further away from the possible and the impossible, it is where they meet, we call it... THE POSSIMPIBLE!!!!