User:Kyle Benesch/projects/project2

Project Preference
- Beats - shaker table - Makerbot PLA

Problem Statement
Our group has to design an automatic shaker table that has a frequency knob to adjust the intensity of the "earthquake". We also have to make the platform able to hold multiple building sizes.

Project Plan
Over the next 4 weeks our group will have either use and existing "manual" shaker table and create that into an automatic shaker table, or just start from scratch and create and create a whole new shaker table.

Week 1 Narrative
This week I was drawing different ideas on the new design of the shaker table. We were mostly discussing all of these different ways to address the problem the Mr. Edelen posed us with. The problem that we're facing is figuring out how to keep the feet on the building feat from "walking" around on the board. We came up with several ideas that all involved some kind of grid. Now, we have to narrow down some of the ideas, and find out if it's easier to jerry rig the current shaker table, or if it's easier to make a new one. Since we don't have to use an Arduino, it might be a little easier to decide on a design.

Week 2 Narrative
This week I was not able to do too much of the task on the CDIO page. My task was to work on the hardware for the automatic shaker table. The question I was faced with was how work the range of frequencies in the shaker table to work with an Arduino. My task wasn't to work on the Arduino, but merely to work on the hardware, so I was having trouble figuring out how I was going to do my part without knowing how to link it with the Arduino. I, instead, went to the college on Friday to help one of the partners with the manual shaker table. We were able to do a huge overhaul on the manual shaker table. We were able to replace the K'nex that held the two long dowel rods in place with bolts that were much more sturdy and permanent. The bottom of the frame had suction cups added by me so as to keep the platform from sliding. The board was also painted a little to spice things up. That's all that was really done on that day. This week I am going to have to get a lot done so that week can get this automatic shaker table underway. I am going to look more into potentiometers to control the frequency to stimulate different earthquakes. Combining that with the arduino will be a challenge.

Week 3 Narrative
This week we were able to give Mr. Edelen a list of materials that are needed to build the shaker table. The hardware design will pretty much be the same as the manual shaker table. The platform will be thicker than the manual shaker tables, because that will make it sturdier. The table platform will shake back and forth in a reciprocating motion with an arduino driving the motor, and the motor will be turning a large gear that is connected to a rod/beamlike structure that connects to the end of the platform. We are going to house all of the hardware on a separate bump-out at the end of the frame. Once we have all of the materials and we decide on a motor, then it will be ready to be built. We should hopefully be able to have the Automatic shaker table built by the end of the week.

Week 4 Narrative
This week my task was to work with one of my partners on the code for the Arduino, so that it spins in a constant motion one way. We were able to find a code that works, but there was a small problem with the upload sequence from the library to the Arduino. We were finally able to get the code uploaded and the motor finally spun in one direction. The next step was to figure out what speed we wanted the motor to rotate in, so as to get the right ratio of torque and speed. This is the final code that we came up with that was able to get the motor working properly. It is also on the CDIO report, so that the next group will be able to use the code, as well.