Project Log and Milestones
Week 1 - 2/12 to 2/18
2/14/15 - 2/15/15
2/17 - Design presentation in class for initial design ideas
- Development of design concepts and key performance criteria.
- Created Gantt Chart for implementation
2/17 - Design presentation in class for initial design ideas
Week 2 - 2/19 to 2/25
2/20/15
2/22/15
2/24/15
2/25/15
- Turned in report detailing initial design and necessary analysis
2/22/15
- Ordered parts necessary for first platform
- Constructed first platform with motor assemblies and two tape sensors
2/24/15
- Used laser cutters from PRL to cut out bottom and middle platforms and drive train support plates. Made revision to make the platforms larger to better contain the drivetrain.
- Assembled drivetrain on these platforms.
- Began developing tape sensor circuits. Spent a long time fixing unforeseen bugs with faulty components and redesigning circuit.
2/25/15
- Finished developing and tested ultrasonic sensor and tape sensor circuits, and code to support these sensors.
- Developed code and electronic circuit to control motor speed and states (between going forward, backwards, and turning in either direction)
- Met with mentor and TA to show progress on robot.
Week 3 - 2/26 to 3/4
2/26/15
2/27/15
2/28/15
3/2/15
3/3/15
- Integrated ultrasonic sensor and tape sensors onto the bot.
- Changed code to handle line following based off the tape sensor values.
- Changed circuit to handle unforeseen errors in integration.
2/27/15
- Made better electrical connections between all motor-side components.
- Added and tested contact switches.
- Continued the debugging of the tape sensors.
- Identified errors in making exact 90 degree turns onto the black tape. Designed modification to handle this: added another tape sensor on front.
- Designed CAD models to accommodate this new tape sensor
- Also created CAD designs for the top platform and dunking arm.
2/28/15
- Was not able to use PRL as desired today. The PRL (especially its laser cutters) gets very crowded very quickly!
- Made makeshift holder for our new tape sensor and began testing turning onto the line with this configuration.
3/2/15
- Cut out front tape sensor mount, top platform, and dunking arm in PRL.
- Mounted the front tape sensor and modified values to perform better turning onto the line.
- Integrated switch and fuses into circuit
- Connected the top platform, dunking arm, and servo. Integrated and tested dunking code.
- Continuous testing of line following and dunking systems, modifying values as needed.
3/3/15
- (at 3 AM!) Check off COMPLETE!
Week 4 - 3/5 to 3/9
3/6/15
3/7/15
3/9/15
- Created cables for electrical connections to Arduino
3/7/15
- Further tuned the line following algorithm, compensated for mechanical additions
3/9/15
- Final presentation! Survived one round, and then eliminated the next one in a close round that went to overtime