User:ARitchie10/Project Two/Weekly Updates

Project Preference

 * 1) Smart Shoe
 * 2) Autonomous Power Wheel
 * 3) Mobile Robot Hallway Navigation

Problem Statement
My group will be working on the Smart Shoe. We are currently in the Implement phase and are focusing on a design for the case to make the device wearable.

Project Plan
During the next few weeks, my group will design a case using a CAD program, then most likely 3D print it. Afterward, we will test the performance of the case and determine if a better model needs to be made, or if the current one is best for the operate phase.

Week 1 Narrative
This past week, I was assigned with the task of designing a case for the smart shoe.

I placed the transmitter, wires, and battery (which were all attached to each other) on a table and took some rough measurements. The length was about 4 inches, the width was 2.5 inches, and the height was 2 inches. I decided to sketch a case using those exact measurements, but decided it was too big to be placed on a shoe. Therefore, I grabbed the sprinkles case that was bought by a previous group member and took those measurements. I decided to adjust it based on the length of the wires and the switch poking out of the sprinkles case. I redrew the sketch and decided to keep the length 4 inches, but instead, I made the width 1.125 inches, and the overall height is 1 inch.

The opposite side of the case will be 0.625 inches because of the design. I want to be able to push that part of the case and lock it behind two small pieces of plastic that keep the cover in place. I want to have a cover in order to place the equipment in and out of the case for ease of access. In addition, I made a cutout for the switch on the side of the case that has the cover in order to turn it on and off without having to go inside the case and doing so. This avoids the hassle of running into the wires. The cutout is 0.25 inches by 0.125 inches.

The final aspect of this case is how it will be kept in place on the shoe. My idea is to have a large clip on the back of a case, similar to a clip on a pen. It would be placed in the center, and would take of about 60% of the surface area. This clip would slide into the shoe laces of a shoe. But, if the shoe does not have laces, then it could easily slide on the side. One idea I had would be creating two clips, one on each half of the back of the case, facing opposite directions. This would help reduce motion, if any, caused by the force when jumping. For now, I would like to test my first design and determine what needs to be improved from there.

Week 2 Narrative
This week I was assigned with printing a prototype of the smart shoe case. Unfortunately, due to the premature concept for the first design, printing the case was postponed until the third week. Instead, two more designs were developed as a result of speaking with Mr. Edelen. In the first design, it was decided that the cover would bend and snap into place behind two small pieces of plastic. Although the PLA used for the Makerbot bends slightly, it would not be the type of material to bend approximately 90 degrees. It would most likely break, so the first design was scratched. Instead, the two pieces of plastic were placed on both sides of the case, and the cover would be a second piece that would slide down, similar to a garage door. The hole for the switch was still placed on the cover. But, since the cover would be sliding, the switch would get caught when trying to pull it up. Therefore, that design was also scratched.

Finally, after meeting with Mr. Edelen on Thursday, it was decided that my sliding door design would be combined with that of my teammate, Farouq. This design would incorporate his USB port along with my door and hole for the switch. After finding the dimensions of the 9V battery, which are 1.9"x1.0"x0.68", the size of the case was adjusted. The new dimensions are 1.25"x1.75"x2.5". In this design, the battery is placed in the upper left corner with the transmitter on top. The switch is going to be placed on the top of the case near the upper right corner. The sliding door will be more like a "T" shape, and will fit into grooves made in the sides of the case. The USB hole is in the back, while the accelerometer remains inside with the battery, transmitter, and switch.

Week 3 Narrative
This week I was tasked with finalizing the prototype for the smart shoe case. Since the first prototype contained grooves in a rectangular shape and had quite an overhang, the material the MakerBot used caved in a bit so the door would not have fit. Mr. Edelen and I decided to create a new door and new shapes for the grooves so as to make them slanted. This way, there wouldn't be much thinness in addition to the overhang. Instead of a "T" shape, the new cut out would look like a wide Erlenmeyer flask.

Also, since the first prototype was made, it was decided that with this next prototype, a clip should be printed with it as well. Our team has yet to decide on which clip design to use, but it is the general consensus that it should be similar to that of a pen's, but not to thin and flimsy. By reducing the thinness, the case would not move or shake around. After meeting tomorrow, I believe our group will have a solid design and 3D model for the new prototype for the Smart Shoe case. By the end of this week, we should have a few more prototypes (if necessary), but preferably an official, working case.

Week 4 Narrative
''Describe in detail what you did for your team during the week (and weekend). Compare your task (from CDIO discuss page) with what you actually did.''