week 15 spring 2018

This is the last week of this whole project. Many things need to be done. Our project is facing a big challenge than ever. Right now, we have two top structures welded. We get a lot help on both material and labor support from solar team. With their help, we can connect the two top structures together.
Few other things need to be done are:
1. find screws that can fix the motor in place. The screws we bought can only go half way into the motor
2. buy the column that can set the stabilization wheels in place.
3. get as many parts as possible from vendors

week 14 spring 2018

This week we have got most of the parts that we need to make progress on building phase.
At this point, the necessary bolts, bushings, bearings, and caster wheels are already purchased and arrived.
The mechanism on the first picture is a quick return mechanism designed by Roger. This mechanism will be used as turning mechanism.

week 11 presentation 2

week 7 spring 2018

In this week, we are able to start buying parts that we need. We decided to use what we already have in the warehouse. We find a big piece of steel about 3-4mm*48cm*66cm. With this big piece of steel, about 70 % of our structure can be made. One problem is the surface of the steel is rusted. Before further action, the rusted surface needs to be cleaned. Therefore, we are able to have more money to buy other parts.

week 5 spring 2018

This week is the first presentation, we are able to know what the stage other teams status is. Servel things we discovered. First, all full-size subteams are heavily depended on each other. Also, the plan remains the same as the beginning of the semester. Most structures will still be made of plywood.

week 6 presentation 1st presentation

Week 4 2/14/2018

We get feedback from Mr. Gary. He had concerns with the initial scope of work that we send to him. There are few things may look good on paper, but the question is can we finish what we promised to him? There are things we still need to change on SOW. On the next week, we need to send out a new SOW and with things that we can finish. 

Week 3 2/7/2018

The main goal of this week is to get in touch with our founder and understand what his exception is from us. Some clear messages we get from this meeting is that Gary, our main founding resource, only wants a clear design from us. However, this is conflicted with our final goal, which is to have something to present on Maker's Fair. 

Therefore, by the end of the meeting, we need to send a scope of work to Gary and get his approval.

Week 2 1/31/2018

This is the second week of the spring semester. From last week's meeting, we need to revise our BOM and reduce our cost on every aspect that we have covered on our old BOM.
After discussion with team members, suggestion is being considered to reduce our cost.
           
 Using 1/4 in of Birch wood, the team will get the plywood laser cut which is less costly as                   compared to plasma cutting steel sheet metal.

By using wood, the cost can be reduced down to around $5,000.

Week 1 1/24/2018

This week is the beginning of 2018 Spring semester. What has left from 2017 fall semester is mainly the BOM (bill of material). Based on our BOM from last semester, it will take about $10,000 to build our bogie. However, with current budge we have, this BOM's information is way over our current budget. Therefore, we need to review our BOM and see if there are anything we can cut off.

Weeks of 1/24, 1/31, 2/7

We have reviewed the work of the past months to verify the prototypes. Through the lightning talks of each teams, we all have seem to be on track. The full scale however is in the process of obtaining funds to build the actual prototypes for Maker Faire. The Full Scale Bogie Team, our team, has estimated up to $10,000 for the Bill of Materials. It seems we have a client that is willing to invest in the Spartan Superway. However, the client has requested that we attempt the reduce the cost as much as possible. In result, the team will use plywood to replace sheet metal. This benefits us as costs will significantly drop and fabrication will be more simpler.

Using 1/4 in of Birch wood, the team will get the plywood laser cut which is less costly as compared to plasma cutting steel sheet metal.

3rd presentation

Week 9 and 10

These two weeks have been slow for the team. We have designs from each member. The one that we will stick to is the bogie that can pivot the axles so that during turns, the wheel will be able to pinch the track. The images may be seen in the most recent presentation.

This is a quick sketch to prove the concept. The pinch wheel design is still present but the only difference is that its no longer a rigid body. 

The angle iron will essentially put force on the steering wheel in order to pivot the axle.


Other stuff that has been decided during these weeks are basically parts. Dan will manufacture the wheels himself as he has the skills required to do so. This is beneficial for the team so that we aren't restricted to current designs.
This design will require 8 wheels on each bogie. A pod will be attached to two pinch wheel bogies. There are 4 main wheels, and 4 guide/steering wheels. Main wheels are still at 350mm and all the other 4 wheels will stay at 100mm.

Week 8

Other teams presented their latest work.
Once we get our set designs and dimensions, then we can start calculating forces on each parts and what they are. Calculations have been made by Dan and is on an excel sheet.

We are hoping to collect all necessary parts and pricing by next month. This is so that we plan for sponsors and funding.

For the Full Scale Team, we've established a weekly meeting on Fridays. This is so that all other teams in full scale [Solar, Track, Control, and Bogie (us)] can keep up with each other and stay on the same track.

presentation 2

Week 7 - Potential Full Bogie Design

The team has been working on dimensions. Drawing a "scale" model on the white board is very helpful in visualizing the potential design. It was a rough sketch but dimensions were considered.

For CAD design, dimensions play an important part of this whole project. Having detailed dimensions can be very helpful in future design. One dimension that is not set is the connection object, which is located between the shaft and support plate (for motor and switch wheel).

Below is the current design we have: