User:Olawal119/Project 1

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Project Preference

 * MakerBot PLA Material Characterization (Implement).
 * Object tracking for Robot Vision.
 * Shaker Table (Implement).

Problem Statement
The main idea of the project is to check the strength of materials printed from the Makerbot. Our project is to complete and improve on the previous group's design. We are in the implementation phase of the CDIO report.

Project Plan

 * Every group member should get certified using the Makerbot.
 * Print out different materials from the Makerbot.
 * Carry out a couple of testing with the materials using different methods.

Week 1 Narrative
The first task I completed this week was to read the previous groups's CDIO report. Their report was really in depth and created a better Makerbot knowledge. I have taken the wiki test on Makerbot but I am yet to take the Canvas test because I am not sure I'll do so well in that.

I was assigned a task to research the kind of programming /software used for the Makerbot. One has to fully understand how CAD works. The main mission is to create a solid, myriad STL - formatted file for importing into Makerware or Replicator G. We're to rely on Makerbot Operators to report back and let us know new apps, scripts and plugins, and how they're using them to make the work they're doing with their Makerbots more successful and rewarding.

Week 2 Narrative
The first task I completed this week was to take the Makerbot quiz on Canvas. I got a 26.17 and I thought the score was not good enough so I retook the quiz and got a 29.67 which I feel is better because it's almost perfect. I was also able to get certified on the Makerbot this week. The group task I was assigned was to print out PLA materials in the color red, yellow and gold and then test these materials for strength and stiffness. I searched for a bunch of materials on thingiverse and discovered a new kind of testing method for strength. The picture of this testing is below. The basic thing to do is to push down on the testee which is the material at the top and if it breaks that means it is not strong enough. I converted all the materials I got on thingiverse to X3G file using the Makerware software and then uploaded them to an SD card. The Makerbot broke down when these materials were to be printed and my task for this week was impossible to be achieved.

Week 3 Narrative
My task for this week was the same as the one for last week. I was to print more PLA materials and then test them. The testing method I discovered was not put to use anymore so, the beams I searched for and converted was no longer useful. However, Mr. Edelen helped us create an Inventor file for the material which we later printed. One beam of the red PLA material was printed during class on Tuesday and I later printed another red beam after class. I came in later on Tuesday to print two more beams with my group but the beams we printed were hollow making it impossible to be used. Mr. Edelen helped us to re-print the two beams. On Thursday, we tried to print the black PLA material but we had a little problem. After changing the filament, leveling the build plate, and the Makerot started printing the raft a few sections of the raft would not print. We cancelled the print and extruded the print head for a while. After it extruded, we tried the print job again but the same problem occurred. After the seminar on Thursday, our group went to the lab to print some more materials but the Makerbot was in use. We decided to start testing but could not find all the necessary materials. We were however able to later get them from Mr. Edelen. We put our materials in a bin which we labelled so, our first task to do this week is to start testing.

The picture of the file Mr. Edelen created which is the same as the file from the previous group's work is below;

Week 4 Narrative
My task for this week was to print and test beams then finish the CDIO report. On Tuesday, we decided to test the gold beams as a group. We followed the procedure on the 2 point bending test as explained by the previous group. I took the values of data as the test was being conducted and did the calculations necessary. On Thursday, we decided to print more beams but we kept having problems with the PLA material. I decided to stay after the class and I printed three more beams. It took about 2 hours and 19 minutes for the beams to print. After the three beams printed, I started to print another set of beams. I watched the first couple of layers build and left the lab. My group and I went into the lab after the seminar and realized the beams I started to print before the seminar were warped and could not be used. We decided to print a couple of more beams but we could not because the Makerbot was broken.

Since we could not print any more beams we then decided to finish testing the materials we had already printed. As before, I took the values of data and later did all calculations. We were able to test the red, gold, and glow beam and performed more than one trial on each beam. I was able to do the force calculation which is simply multiplying the force in kg by 9.81. I was confused on how to get the ultimate stress so on Saturday I researched ultimate stress which I later realized to be the same as tensile stress which can be calculated by dividing area by force. I had previously taken the dimensions of the beam before testing so, I used my dimensions to get the area of the beam. I later filled out the testing section of the CDIO report and made some other minor alterations.

Each table of value and pictures for each test conducted can be found below;







 



 



From the data provided by the previous group and the testing we did it can be concluded that based on strength according to colors;

Red > Black = Blue > Green = Gold > Clear > Glow