User:CFernandez/ENES-100/Pet Food Controller

Week 1
This was the first week that I worked on the Pet food controller. Seeing as this project was an existing one, the basic concept of the project had already been established by another group. The first step I took to push the project forward was to familiarize myself with the project so I would be able to help bring my group up to speed. One of the first steps I took was to go over the CDIO page for the project created by its initial group. The CDIO page, coupled with presentations done during prior class sessions, painted a pretty decent picture of the current state of the project. Many of the design parameters such a physical dimensions had already been established, and some preliminary physical design work had been done. While The CDIO page was a great starting point for me, I felt it did not answer certain specific questions about the project such as how food would physically be guided to the food dish, how the food would be contained, and how all of the components would be assembled.

In order to make sure my groups time was utilized efficiently I decided I would consult with Michael Tomaselli, who handled many of the mechanical aspects prior to handing the project over. I felt the act of consulting with Michael saved the group hours of time by being able to ask simple questions, rather than returning to the conceive portion of the project, and picking up certain aspects from square one. From speaking with Mike I was able to gather the following information:


 * The cervo motor coding had been completed
 * The design for the piece which drops the food was designed, but not 3d printed.
 * The final construction method had not been created
 * No method to prevent food spillage had been designed
 * No food container had been ascertained

After obtaining all the pertinent information I could, I met with my group an debriefed them on the current state of the project. After discussing the state of the project, the group met to discuss how we would like to proceed. The entire group would begin to work on on the physical product, as well as research the code necessary for the arduino to operate the project. On top of helping with the construction of the pet food controller, I would procure a food container for the project.

Week 2
During my groups second week on the project we decided that we would complete the 3d printing aspect of the project, so the food controller would have the components necessary to dispense food. During week two myself and other members of the group went over the scaffolding necessary to learn how to use the maker bot. Once we were certified in using the maker bot we we 3d printed the object; Kevin operated the machine, with supervision from professor Dolge, while I observed to monitor for mistakes as well familiarize myself with the project. Our first attempt at printing the component failed due to issues with heating the filament, but our second attempt was successful, and the item printed to our satisfaction.



Week 3
Week three consisted of taking measurements, and completing a lot of wood work. While the prior group had collected the majority of the components necessary for the project, they had not completed certain portions of the construction. One aspect of the construction that had not been completed yet was affixing the cervo motors to the construct. In order to complete this portion of the project, we needed to measure and mark of the area where the cervo motors would be placed. After marking the constusct we used a drill to make the initial hole in the wood, and after that we used a rotatable miniature saw that was created to be utilized on small constructs.

Another aspect of construction that we completed during week three was preparing the 3d printed component to be mounted. In order for the wheel to be placed within the pet controller it needed to be mounted to the servo motor via a screw; the screw needed to be small enough that it would fit within the allotted slot of the servo motor, but needed to be sturdy enough to keep the wheel stabilized when it rotates. After affixing the screw to the printed component, the group realized that there was a design flaw; The innermost part of the construct was designed to reach the exact center of the wheel. Since it goes through directly to the center, we were required to place the screw slightly off center; after inserting a screw it became apparent that two screw would need to be used, but the slightly off center placement of the screws would make it extremely difficult to make exact placements- in turn causing wheel movement to not be smooth. This design flaw would need to be corrected to create an ideal product.

Week 4
Week four was the groups final week on the Pet food controller project. We figured it best to wrap up the project by getting as close as possible to a completed physical state. During the final week I was able to take the measurements required to cut an opening to affix the food holding apparatus- which measured about 3" in diameter. We utilized the same miniature saw that we used to cut the openings for the cervo motors, as well as a sanding tool to help make the groove as smooth as possible.

On top of trying to complete the construction of the physical components we also made cosmetic changes. Due to the construction process being completed without always having the ideal tools we painted the construct so that any blemishes in the project would be less apparent, and the product would appear more professional. We went with the color red, as we figured the bright color of the construct would invite a pet to investigate the item, since we had the concern that an animal may not know to approach the construct for food.