User:Olawal119/Project 2

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Project Preference

 * Beat Bearing (Implement).
 * Automatic Shaker Table (Design).
 * Vision-Based Object Tracking (Conceive).

Problem Statement
To make the manual shaker table look better. To build an automated platform which can withstand an earthquake and can also hold a dinky building model while moving about an inch or two to the side. This is an implement phase project.

Project Plan

 * Put finishing touches on manual shaker table.
 * Make an instruction and safety guide for users.
 * Create a problem statement.
 * Build frame.
 * Do all wiring and soldering.
 * Build automatic shaker table.
 * Make sure all design requirements are met.

Week 1 Narrative
My task for this week was to do the motor testing and code testing for the Automated Shaker Table. The first thing I did was to read the CDIO report from the design phase of this project. I mainly concentrated on the coding section. The coding is to get the Arduino running and it also determines if the shaker table will function or not. The coding was okay but the setup picture included in the CDIO report was not clear enough. So, I searched online on http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/StepperBipolar .This site actually provided a different coding and a clear setup which is yet to be tested since the manual shaker table has to be made to perfection before the automated one can be made. I'm still searching online for more codes and setups but the one in the link above is the best I have seen so far.

Week 2 Narrative
I was going to do some testing with the code I got from last week but, something new came up. Since, the motor is supposed to cause the vibration of the shaker table my task for this week was to figure out how to make the motor's rotary motion move the whole platform of the shaker table. Over the week, I watched several videos on shaker tables hoping to see a way to do it but none of them were helpful. On Thursday, one of the group's presentation made me formulate an idea. It's possible to use gears to move the shaker table but, I'm not entirely sure that will work because it has not been tested yet. I researched on the various types of gears we have and I found one that could actually work. The racks and pinion gear converts rotary motion into linear motion which is one of our aim because the shaker table should be able to move from left to right and vice versa. The other gear that could work is the spur gear. These two gears have to have smooth edges or something close to smooth so it does not ruin the platform. The gear will be attached to the motor depending on which one of them works well. Both gears can be bought at Amazon.



Week 3 Narrative
From last week's presentation in class, I was told to make drawings of what the gear and motor setup was supposed to look like and add dimensions. So, this week was spent doing that. I drew two different setups; pictures can be found below. Both setups will have to be constrained to the motor. A bolt and nut can be used to constrain it. A hole will have to be drilled in the gear for that to occur. The hole drilled in the gear will have to be slightly bigger than the size of the bolt and nut so it'll have the ability to rotate freely because if it's the same size the gear will have little or no movement. I also found a different setup online on http://tetrixrobotics.com/Building_System/Motors_Gears_Wheels/default.aspx?art=3226&ap=2 but, this setup is more complex and only feasible if the motor runs too fast.

I went to the lab over the weekend hoping to test my setup but it was already locked when I got there. My main plan was to run a different motor using the layout and code I found on http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Motor-Shield-Tutorial/?ALLSTEPS. I'll go to the lab tomorrow and test the setup and if it does not work I'll figure out another way to constrain the gear to the motor.



Week 4 Narrative
After the presentation on Tuesday, I realized what I envisioned in my head as a way to constrain the gear to the motor was not going to work. I decided to come up with better solutions and ones that could work this week. I found a motor and gear in the lab that was similar to what I wanted to do, so I generated an idea from that. I improved on one the ideas I already had. For this solution the following materials will be needed; the gear itself, the motor, bolt and nut, a rod, and two wood pivot hinge metal. The hinge is placed at the top and bottom of the motor. The hinge at the top is constrained to the motor itself. Since the hinge has a hole on it and so does the motor, a bolt and nut will be used to constrain it. The gear will be placed on top of the hinge and a rod will then be passed through the center of the gear to the hinge at the bottom to hold it in place and allow rotation. The hinge at the bottom and the other end of the rod will be constrained using a bolt and nut to the wood that will support the motor. I drew out this solution even though it is a bit complicated but, I think it will work. The other thing I did was to help out in writing the CDIO report. I went to the lab on Saturday, but it was locked. I was hoping to work more on the project and take a few materials with me so, I could work on it during spring break.