2020-05-13 Meeting Minutes - Science

Owned by Ethan Cronier
Last updated: Aug 17, 2021
2 min read

Wednesday May 13th 2:00 PM - 

Attendance:

Asha Mills Emmett (2A tron)

Emily Adam (1A tron)

Design Ideas

  1. Closer Bar: Same idea as before, but move the holding bar closer to the center to reduce moment arm size

Components: Hooks + servo, starfish pole, sliding starfish

    Pros:

  • Not much design work to be done, just need to slightly modify a couple parts
  • No new actuators

    Cons:

  • Moment arm still exists (although lesser) so there is still a possibility for binding


  1. Pizza Seal: Stationary lid with one opening for the current test tube being filled. Tubes arranged in a U shape so that they can all be covered by the lid at some point in the rotation

Components: Stationary pizza lid

    Pros:

  • Removes need for an extra actuator + removes hook
  • Removes binding

Cons:

  • Can’t do full rotations to mix, would have to do wiggles back and forth (or vibrate?)
  • Would be a loose seal 

   

  1. Shifty Starfish: Same starfish shape as before, but instead of lifting it to open the tubes, it just rotates to open the tubes

    Components: Shifting starfish + servo

Pros: 

  • Removes hook
  • Removes binding

Cons:

  • Probably want a slip ring?


  1. Frypan Covers: Individual lids close off each tube. Constant force springs hold the lids in place until a bar (either attached to the elevator or fixed to the plate) moves the lids out of the way

Components: 9 sealing lids each with a CF spring, a bar to move the lids (+ maybe a servo)

        Pros:

  • Removes hook

        Cons:

  • Individual points of failure for each tube
  • Each frying pan needs to be spring loaded, excess of assembly/pieces


  1. Toilet Seat: Just a big lid that closes over everything. Controlled by either a servo to pivot the lid or linear actuator to pull down the lid

    Components: big lid, servo to control lid OR linear actuator

        Pros:

  • Simple to implement
  • Minimal points of failure

        Cons:

  • Would be a loose seal
  • Would not be secure, could easily flip back up
  1. Flapping Starfish (Wannabe Spider Legs): tension system pulls up starfish arms when the system is pushed down by the elevator

    Components:

        Pros:

  • No binding

        Cons:

  • Shovel has to be still when delivering
  • Fragile
  • Many points of failure
  • Pusher attachment is problematic (prevents elevator from going down)


Plan Moving Forward:

CAD ideas 2 and 3 and see which one we like the most