User:B.Osborne369/enes100/Strandbeest

Write problem/project Goal
Design an operating Strandbeest with my teammates out of cardboard and other easily obtainable materials.

My First Task
Gather information on successful strandbeests. Collect, organize and consolidate that information. Design a crude, miniature prototype to compare with my teammates prototype in order to create our teams final project.

Summary of actual work over first weekend
I gathered information and shopped local hardware stores for the best materials to use for this project. I designed and built the strand beest mechanism using wood.

Week1 Narrative
I went to hardware stores to investigate what material would be inexpensive and best for this project. I looked at various materials such as pvc piping, copper pipe, and wood trim. With the different materials in mind I went home and drew a design for the mechanism. After thought, I determined that the wood trim may be best. I purchased enough wood, plus enough bolts, washers, and nuts to fasten the mecahnism together. I cut the wood and assembled the mechanism.



My Second Task
Design and build a drive shaft to connect the 6 strand beest legs to with the ability to be able to connect that to a chassis. The prototype is not being built out of wood, the final project needs to be made out of a less expensive material.

Summary of actual work over second weekend
I designed and assembled a driveshaft for the strandbeest using materials that were inexpensive. Total cost for all parts was less than five dollars.

Week2 Narrative
I was able to come up with a design for the the strand beest driveshaft.I used a 1 foot long threaded rod and attached 6 sets of washers to it. I began assembling the shaft with epoxy however it was not strong enough. I finally decided that using nuts and bolts and a notch in the washers would be better. The design will still need improvements and is unfinished but for a prototype it will work.



My Third task
Disassemble and reassemble crankshaft using fabricated tabs.

Summary of actual work over third weekend
The original design of the crankshaft needed to be improvised because the connection between the outer bolt and washer was not secure. Aluminum tabs were fabricated to provide a secure place to attach the strandbeest leg mechanisms to. The aluminum tabs were made out of a sheet of aluminum purchased at a local hobby store. The original crankshaft was disassembled and reassembled using the aluminum tabs.

List of Materials required for this design

 * 1-1 foot threaded bolt cost-$0.98
 * 2-8 pack of washers cost $1.18 each
 * 2-12 pack of #8-32 nuts cost $1.18
 * 6 small bolts cost $0.15 each
 * 24 small nuts cost $0.08 each
 * 1 4X10 inch sheet of Aluminum $2.09

Week3 Narrative
The third week was used to refine the crankshaft. The crankshaft is what will make the strandbeest walk. My time was spent fabricating 15 X 15 mm tabs made out of a sheet of aluminum. The tabs were measured out and then drilled. The tabs were then cut using a Dremel. Next the original crankshaft had to be completely disassembled and reassembled using the tabs.

My Fourth task
My time during the fourth week was designing and building a frame for the srandbeest. The crankshaft needed to fit and rotate freely in the frame. The legs of the strandbeest will eventually be attached to the frame and crankshaft. Also, a problem occured with the crankshaft. I spent a lot of time trying to modify the crankshaft. If I were to design the crankshaft over again I may try a different approach.

Summary of actual work over fourth weekend
How is what you did different than what you planned?

Week4 Narrative
Tell a detailed story describing what you did for your team over the weekend.

Complete Team Page
Fill out the Team Form (should have already copied the form, created the team page, linked to it and started filling it out).