Most Critical Module

The past week was spent finalizing and analyzing the most critical module of our machine. For our machine, we determined the most critical module to be the arm module. Without the arm, our team has no way to score, and little options for defense, thus the arm is essential to the machine. Our arm consists of a rail piece, a threaded rod, and an extension wedge. Initially the rail and extension are fitted together and the extension is then extended using the threaded rod.

We analyzed the critical module to calculate the torque required to lift arm with the weight of all the balls acting on it. We also created part drawings for the parts we will be manufacturing for the most critical module, as well as a bill of materials, and a manufacturing plan for each of the parts.

After the design review and other conversations with our GSI, our team has decided to continue with our basic design with the intent to add more complexity as time permits. We determined it would be much better to have a simple machine that functions than an over complex machine that doesn't function.

After some experimentation, we found that our swinging arm was having issues moving the rubber balls. They would get caught between the wedge and the wall and prevent any motion from our arm. We decided to add a plastic plate over our wedge to minimize this issue. The plate would be larger than the wedge, fitting into the slot very tightly so there is no room between the wall and the wedge for the ball to get caught.

Unfortunately, the CAEN computing labs were not cooperating today, thus pictures of the Most Critical Module will be posted shortly.