User:Skwon9642/ENES100/Project 1

Project Preference
''Your class was given a list of projects to choose from. Please list the three projects you want to work on, from highest to lowest.''

Problem Statement
Our group will be working on the design phase of the FESTO arm manipulator. Our job is to design the different parts of the arm, such as the claw, arm, and movement so the next group can work to implement and build the arm.

Project Plan
Figure out how to incorporate ideas into plausible designs// Brainstorm possible designs to solve problems Read previous group's design// Determine how to power the device// Range of motion for all moving parts// List needed materials// Research how to control 4 motors with one computer Most efficient materials Determine total cost Identify constraints// Determine functionality draw prototypes of the final design and improve if necessary collect materials needed

Weekly update Week 1
''Read in detail about the past semester's attempt at the Bionic Arm project. There were many things that we thought was good ideas, and other things that we thought could be improved upon such as choice of materials and some minor designs. The first thing we decided to attempt was to use a plastic water pipe line instead of the regular plastic line that the previous group used. I thought the increase in flexibility would be better for movement of the arm. Another thing considered was to see if the group can come up with/find a 3D printable claw that can be attached to the arm for better grip and strength instead of the cardboard box claw of the previous group. ''

Week 2 Narrative
This week, I came up with the list of things that our arm should be able to do.

Goal-We will design a bionic arm that can pick up any object of size ranging from a ping-pong ball up to an average sized orange (3 inch diameter) and approximately 1-2 pounds in weight. The arm should grip it strong enough so that the object won't fall out. The claw will have motors attached to them so that the range of the fingers can be adjusted. It should be able to grip the object tightly and loosely. For example, it needs to be strong enough to hold sturdy objects such as oranges or a ping-pong balls, and conversely, hold fragile objects such as eggs and glassware. The fingers of the arm should be able to keep the object in it's grasp even if the object itself is held down by gravity. In addition, the arm will be moving the objects from point A to point B, point B can be anywhere up to 2 cubic foot from point A. although it won't have intelligent sensors that can autonomously avoid objects, it should be able to maneuver around small obstacles, like ledges.

Week 3 Narrative
picking up from last week, I came up with a few goals for our project, however, I did not put any specific detail into our goal. Professor Edelen has advised me to go back and edit my week 2 weekly report with more detail.

This week, I went back and edited the goals with more detail. I tried to visualize all the things that our arm should be able to do by the end of the "operate" cycle.

Later in the day: after a group meeting, we made a change on our design. instead of the arm extending from the side, we felt that it would be more stable if the arm was hanging from the top, like a bat. Changing this part of our design won't have a major effect on the overall design we have come up with so far. the second drawing is how the new orientation will look like.

Week 4 Narrative
Since our group finized all the designs and decisions for our project, this week, we decided that we should all take time to work on the CDIO report because it was worth ALOT of points.

I was reponsible for:

Requirements for each element or component derived from system level goals and requirements

Alternatives in design (concept 3)

Creativity, problem solving, and group decision-making

Implementation, verification, test and environmental sustainability

Maintainability, reliability, and safety

Robustness, evolution, product improvement and retirement

This week's task was very difficult because the CDIO report is a report to accurately record and finalize our project. It was also difficult to write one 1 report with 4 different people. I think the most difficult part of the report was to include all the details. We were given a simple phrase of subtopic to write about (like "initial design") and had to write lengthy pages. However, some of the topics we had lots to write about. There were many topics that were fun to write about as well.

The Evolution and product improvement section was very fun for me because it let me stretch out my imagination for our project. I Wrote that this tripod has endless ways of getting integrated into our daily lives. Each parts of the tripod can be thought of as a base for other uses. For example, the claw can be replaced by a flash light that can be used as a spotlight that detects performers on stage, or the claw can be used at a factory where there are lots of products to be sorted.