User:Wsnyder0080/ENES-100/project IWCC/CDIO pages

Problem Statement
summarize work done each week and list current problems and recommendations for new team.

Week 1 narrative
During week one, the IWCC project was devised and project requirements andd goals set. it called for a boat to be able to replicate what IWCC warships can do. which is fire airsoft projectiles at other boats to sink them and have a way of retrieving the boat after it has sunk. since airsoft guns can not be brought on campus one requirement set for the project was that the boat would be able to fire lasers and have a way of simulating a "hit" and "kill" similar to laser tag. the boat must be able to have the airsoft and laser modules easily swapped out. I looked for boxes on thingiverse to modify to make into the modules. here is one i found http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:39171 also designs were drawn up for a new cover plate that could house the airsoft and laser modules.

Week 2 narrative
during week 2 is when the fabrication started. i went to hobbyworks in laurel and purchased some 1.5mm plastic sheet stock and plastic angle iron stock to make the new cover plate. I made the new cover plate by using the old one as a template then cut out the new cover plate on the bandsaw. I then took the front and rear attachment hooks off the old cover plate. then i shortened the front cover hook so it would hook properly with the new cover plate since it sat much lower than the original cover plate. then i took the 3/8" plastic angle iron stock and cut it down to size on the bandsaw then glued it to the edges of the cover plate with plastic cement.

Week 3 narrative
during week 3 I had the idea that instead of ordering and modifying airsoft guns to fit in a box and be able to be fired remotely, why not purchase an RC airsoft tank and use it on the boat. so I looked online and found a 1:24th scale tank that shot airsoft BBs. I purchased it and then began to dissassemble it. I took apart the upper shell and lower chassis which was difficult because of a hidden screw under a sticker in the battery compartment then, removed the circuit board and associated wires, turret, turret ring and traversing assembly from the tank.

Week 4 narrative
During week 4 I decided to paint the boat one color since the turret was a green camo and the boat white it just didn't look good. so I decided to paint it matt black. i did this by first riming the boat by painting it with plastic primer then spray painting it with matt black paint.

problems and recommendations for new team

 * further testing continues to show reliability problems with the transmitter and receiver even after the modifications done to the boat antenna. it is recommended that in further testing that a line be attached to the boat so that is can be retrieved in the event of loss of signal or power failure until reliability is improved.
 * the trim of the boat is important for maximum speed and handling. with the extra weight of the turret forward in the boat, it is recommended that the battery be placed in between the motors or propeller shafts to maintain proper trim. if placed in between the propeller shafts it is recommended that the wires be extended so that the battery does not have to be taken out for charging.

Next Steps
A lot of important key points were accomplished during this process. The next steps include:
 * attach the traversing motor to the cover plate
 * improve the reliability of the transmitter and receiver
 * program a failsafe into the boat
 * change the propellers on the boat in favor of 4 bladed ones for improved speed
 * incorporate laser modules into turret
 * incorporate a system so the boat can simulate a "hit" and "kill" by stopping temporarily for varying lengths of time.
 * build a second boat so they can battle
 * eliminate resistance in the new circuit board to improve speed
 * add a ram to the front of the boat