1/31/2011

Just finished STEMM report and handed it in.  I will try to get it on my blog, but the file might be too big.

Log 1/28/2011

The marking period is over and midterms are almost over too.  I have been working on my STEMM report, which is due on my blog next Monday, January 1st.

Construction (support structure)

Below are pictures of the construction of my support structure, which is made out of 1/4 in. thick plywood.


Fig. 1: A view of the wood before it was cut

Fig. 2: A view of the wood after it was cut



Fig. 3: Me measuring the wooden box



Fig. 4: A view of the wooden pieces glued together to make
the box that will hold the electronics

*Please note that due to last minute design changes the dimensions of the box pictured in figure 4 were not big enough and a larger box will be made tomorrow.

All pictures taken by MM.

Log 1/18/2011

Presentations were pushed back a day so my partner, ES, and I will most likely be presenting on Thursday the 20th.
Today I handed in my presentation outline, which can be found here: http://se2glassbottomboatmm.blogspot.com/2011/01/mp2-presentation-outline.html

Construction (Electronics)

Below are pictures of the electronics I took out of my RC car.

Fig. 1: A view of the empty battery pack attached
to the circuit board, transmitter, and motors

 

Fig. 2: Another view of the battery pack for
the motors, transmitter, and circuit board

  

Fig. 3: A view of the electronics for the camera attachment
The transmitting wire is the red wire, the circuit board is
covered by the plastic cover

Fig. 4: A view of the exposed circuit board that controls the two
motors shown on the left side of the picture and the plastic
cover is shown on the right side of the picture

All pictures taken by MM.

MP2 Presentation Outline

 I. Introduction
        A. Mae McKenna
        B. Senior at MAST
        C. Systems Engineering II

II. Background
    A. Scientists can’t enter water in winter months
    B. Need to observe marine life year-round

III. Design Brief
    A. Team Design Brief      
          1. To design and construct a remote controlled model vessel that marine biologists will use to film marine life in bay type situations in a variety of cold and/or severe weather conditions.
    B. Individual Design Brief      
          2. To design, model, and construct a flexible camera attachment that is remote controlled.

IV. Construction Intro
    A. Chosen Solution
          1. Amended orthographic drawings
    B. Model
          1. Pictures of model
    C. Final Solution
          1. 3D CAD drawing

V. Construction Process
    A. Construction Progress
          1. Pictures of working on project
    B. Construction Process
          1. Gluing all pieces together because screws would split wood
          2. Take motors, battery pack, and transmitter out of the RC car
          3. The motors will stick out of the box and attach to gears

VI. Summary
   A. Glass Bottom Radio Controlled Research Vessel
   B. Work completed
          1. Main structure construction
          2. Battery pack and transmitter has been detached from RC car
          3. About 50% done- 50% left to go

VII. Conclusion
   A. That concludes my presentation
   B. Any Questions?

Amended 3D Rendered CAD Drawings

Note the change in design.  The support beams are now tapered off at the ends so that when we put the water proof tarp over top the beams won't jut out and pull or tear the tarp.  Also I have included the plastic Velcro in this drawing and made the box for the controls deeper to fit all the electronics.

Fig. 1: Top Isometric View

Fig. 2: Bottom Isometric View

Fig. 3: Front view

All drawings done by MM using AutoCAD.

Log 1/11/2011

I was going to continue making my own batery pack as well as taking the circuit board out of the RC car today, but unfortunately I am unable to locate the RC car.  This can be a major issue seeing as I need it for all moving parts of my project.

Log 1/10/2011

Just came up with a solution to our waterproofing problem.  It seems like it should work though I will check with one of my mentors first.

Log 1/7/2011

My father, RMM, will act as a second mentor for me because he is knowledgeable about motors and robotics.  It will be easier to receive help from him because I see him everyday and can have face-to-face contact with him and do hands-on work with him.

Use of RC Car

Fig. 1: RC car wheels turned to the right

Fig. 2: RC car wheels turned to the left

In the above pictures (Figures 1-2) I used a 30-60-90 triangle to determine that the angle the wheels turned off the center line was about 30 degrees.  The line of symmetry of the car is represented by the dashed line on the paper under the car.  The wheels were made to return to the forward position when the control was released.  I removed the spring that caused this so that the tilt piece will stay in the direction I want it.  Without the spring in place the mechanism can move 60 degrees.  This mechanism and the motor that controls it will be used for the tilting part of the camera attachment.

Fig. 3: Exposed motors in the RC car

Above (Figure 3) is a picture of the motors that will be removed from the car. The motor labeled 'A' is the motor that will control the tilt operation of the camera.  The motor labeled 'B' is the motor that will control the rotate operation of the camera.

Fig. 4: Exposed circuit board of the RC car

Above (Figure 4) is the exposed circuit board of the RC car.  This circuit board works as a receiver for the radio control.  The receiver receives the controls through the wire, which will be included in my design.
Below (Figure 5) is the battery pack attached to the RC car.  Currently the battery pack blocks access to the receiver, so with the help of my other mentor, RMM, I will have to make a whole new battery pack for the receiver and motors.

Fig. 5: Exposed battery pack on RC car

All pictures taken by MM.