5/3/2019 Week 5 Update

Lecture Day 4/29/2019: During the time given to the class as recitation, the group decided to rewrite the proposal based on the feedback that was given to us the Lecture in Week 4 (4/22/2019). The group had used the wrong case of address (1st person plural vs. 3rd person plural). The proposal was also wordy and lacked depth. It was missing most technical details about the setup that we are choosing to build; it was lacking specifications of technicalities, a setup design or dimensions of our parts / setup.

Lab Day 5/1/2019: During Lab time, the group finalized the 3-D models for the dish table and the magnet holder. These 3-D models will be submitted to be 3-D printed as prototype parts and will be tested for fitment and function.

Fig. 1 - Side View of the 3-D models to be 3D-printed

Fig. 2 - Opposite Side View of 3-D models to be 3D-printed

Joseph and Benedict took a look at the control code presented in the Week 1 Lecture slides. In order for this code to function, we needed an "AdaFruit Motor Shield V2". This breadboard has to be used instead of the Arduino. When the group attempted to use the Arduino with the given control code, MATLAB gave errors that will have to be debugged.

This board also has no pinned connectors soldered into it (neither male or female). Since Benedict already has soldering knowledge, he will solder the male pin connections to the board. He will also, however, teach Joseph and possibly Ryan how to solder, as we deem it an essential learning experience that is intended to be taken away from this class.

Once the 3-D printed prototype pieces of the table and magnet holder exist physically, Benedict can start building the camera stand and design a base for the motor, breadboard and wiring to be tucked under (this is done to shield the electronics from the strong influence of the Neodymium magnet).

The group hopes to have the 3-D printed pieces by Friday (5/3/2019) and Benedict aspires to have the camera stand built by Lecture on Monday of Week 6 (5/6/2019).

Meanwhile during the Lab Day, Joseph has gotten the motor to move in a manner that would be used to spin a dish of gel, as proposed in our setup: