log 27

DA has purchased new safety glasses which he keeps in the CAD land. We dawn the glasses before we enter the Systems Lab. This week, we have been working on our propellers. At the start of the week, we searched on the internet for different types of propellers and their corresponding prices.  These websites included amazon, ebay, and various RC websites.  Tuesday, we set up a place for the propellers on the aft end of the VEX robot.  We had to move an existing plate foreward in order to create a place for the battery pack which be attatched via zip tie.  Wednesday, we set up the chain and sproket kit that will spin the propellers.  The smaller gear will be attatched to the propeller and the larger gear attatched to the drive shaft connected to the motor.

Log 26

This week, my partner and I did a lot with fine tuning on our VEX robot.  We added stoppers on all side of our gears in order to ensure total stability.  We changed the gear ratios in order that we ensure total control.  We started to discuss how we can set up the propellers and make them spin fast.  We discussed either chain and sprockets or multiple gears.  We also thought about two propellers on each side.

Log 25

Today, DA was absent so we could not go down to the lab.  My partner and I devised a plan to test the ability of the claw to throw a ball.  The original challenge was misconstrued in the way that it was presented to us, therefore we may have to develop another solution in order to complete this challenge.  I believe that one quick mothion of the claw's wrist will throw the ball through the hoop, but my partner thinks otherwise.  I would attempt to throw the ball throw a hoop five times in a row to prove  I have skill and not luck. This will have to wait until Monday.

log 24

Today, my partner and I stabalized each drive shaft moving the claw and its arm.  We had to put stoppers at each of the five gears that rotated the shafts.  This prevented the much wobbling that was occuring during our tests.  This was a difficult process because these pieces were small and the places where they needed to go were cramped.  Neither of our instructors had tweesers so it took a little longer than we wanted.

log 23

Today, we worked a little backwards today. It has been all about the gear ratio since my partner, the structural engineer, discovered the magic of gear ratios.  If a small gear is directly attatched to the shaft and a larger gear is attatched to an apparatus, then the device will move slowly and accurately; vise versa.  Today, the wrist of the claw was remodeled with new knowledge of gear ratios in mind. Tomorrow, we'll do something to something to make that more accurate and stable.

log 22

Today, my partner and I changed the gear ratio on the base of the claw's arm.  We had no control over how fast the arm went because the shaft rotated too quickly.  This lower gear ratio allowed for more control over the intense power of the VEX 269 two wire motor.

log 21

Yesterday, my partner and I re-worked the design for our claw arm.  The arm had too much power behind it to be controlled by the simple remote.  We need more gears to lower the gear ratio.