11/23-11/30

This week Craig and I met to finalize the bill of materials and to create a quick design of what braking system we plan on integrating. We decided to modify a brake caliper to grip the rail and serve as the brakes. Completing the braking design is our top priority over winter break and we plan on finishing up 3-D model of the motor to make sure the components fit together.

I also worked on completing the final presentation slides and worked on the rough draft of the project report.

11/16-11/23

This week I met with Craig in order to assess the build of prototype for components of propulsion (gear and motor). We further discussed the direction of the braking system and decided that placing brakes separated from the motor shaft is our only option as the spacing within the bogie was too small to add any other component. I will continue to look at cheap brake calipers we can alter for braking.

This week I began work on organizing materials and parts in order to present them in both the presentation 3 and for our final report. We continue to have difficulty in placement of braking. Size constraints are too limiting and we are working on implementing motor braking.

11/02 - 11/09

This week I worked with Craig on finalizing some of the parts required for our build. I haven't had the opportunity to finalize the braking design calculations but Craig and I are still having difficulty in preliminary ideas of location for the band brake and the actuator. I plan on discussing this at length with other sub-teams and our advisers. The idea is to develop a design that would make the band brakes actuated individually with an actuator each (spacing must be considered).

Week 9

This week I worked on refining the information for our presentation. I worked with Craig on creating a CAD model for the band brake but we are still trying to decide how to actuate the band brake and the sizes necessary to fit in our model and also properly meet our specifications of slowing down/braking.

Week 8

This week I worked on the second presentation and on reworking calculations for the redesign of the braking system. Originally we planned on moving the disc brake along with the disc caliper and finding a way to fit it within our system, but we are now looking at integrating a band brake for the main brake system. The reason we chose to look at the band brake is mostly due to being compact and simple system of brakes. I am currently looking in making sure the correct size of the brakes will function for our bogie and will quickly sketch the CAD models for the assembly.

@. (2014). Band Brakes. Retrieved October 25, 2016, from https://pigeonsblue.com/2014/04/25/band-brakes/

Week 7

This week I was tasked to look into fitting in the brakes in to the current bogie design. It's quite difficult to figure out how to add on the disc brakes we previously decided upon. Craig and I are continually reworking designs from what we initially created due to limitations in power, and space provided for the bogie. The space within the bogie is very limited from within as the steering and propulsion will take up most of the space.

We are considering placing the brakes on the shaft driving the chain. Spacing limits to how it is placed and will be further discussed once the design for propulsion can be decided and worked into the CAD models.

An idea I plan on bringing up to the team is implementing wheels with a drum brake attached. I'm approaching this design angle in order to see how much space that design could take up into the bogie system, and if it will be plausible option in case the disc brake design is proven to be too difficult. A big problem I see within the drum brake design is in cost. I will discuss with the team this upcoming week and get feedback on this option of design for the brakes. Our gantt chart will be updated accordingly tomorrow.

Additionally, this week I am beginning to organize our research, design ideas, and calculations in order for our second presentation upcoming on October 26th.

Week 6

Week 5 I spent most of my time working on the presentation and also talking among the half scale bogie team regarding integration of systems and what goals we must meet as a group.

For this week (week 6), I worked on calculations for the brake force needed for each of the bogie. Using parameters such as braking from 20 MPH to 0 MPH at a braking distance of 50 ft, along with using 17 degree incline. Using momentum equation and Newtown's 2nd law. Some of the calculations are seen in the image provided. The parameters might change depending on materials used (e.g. friction for wheel, weight adjustment, etc.). I will have to double check with my partner and the other sub-teams to make sure the parameters are set similar across the team.

Furthermore, the team will continue to discuss with Wayside and solar as to the power requirements needed to supply our propulsion and braking system.

Week 4 (9/21- 9/27)

This week I prepared and organized information regarding the braking and propulsion systems in order to present to the class. The information describes the thought process of why Craig and I decided to use the systems presented and will present an opportunity for class input and suggestions as we proceed to finish the preliminary designs and move towards integrating the designs to the CAD currently in progress.

Additionally, I attended the Paseo Public Prototyping Challenge and festival launch. I attached a picture of myself at the launch meeting. It was really interesting listening to the speakers talk about the need for innovation within the city of San Jose itself. I came to realize how embarrassing it is to have the "heart" of Silicon Valley, San Jose, be plagued with so many issues. The harsh realities of homelessness, housing prices, and transportation leave a lot of room for improvement for this city, and it is exciting that this challenge brings together students from different fields to work together to innovate solutions for these problems. I look forward to seeing future projects and implementations towards bettering the San Jose community.

Week 3

This week the whole Bogie team decided to set forth specifications to consider when calculating values for design progress. We collectively decided to use the following: 

Weight of cabin + bogie = 600 Lbs.

Operating maximum speed = 20 MPH

17 degree slopes- Incline & Decline

(Additionally Craig and I also wanted to make sure that the braking system is able to completely stop the whole bogie system within 50 ft.)

Week 2

For this week’s work I was tasked to brainstorm more ideas to implement for braking of the bogie. Additionally, looking into the power provided from the wayside team. We have assumed a 300 lb. load to work with in the design analysis we plan on creating in the coming weeks. Last year, the brake system consisted of using electric scooter disc brakes. In last year’s report, they claimed to have issues in the keeping the hub-motor pressed on to the roof of the guide way in order to supply the vertical force of the bogie. Craig and I have discussed of implementing a linear actuator in order to resolve that issue and plan on discussing it further with our teammates. We are very cautious in selecting one design for the braking and propulsion systems as we are trying to prevent issues of integrating the other sub teams design plans and avoid a repeat of issues from last year.

Failures/Successes of projects

Working in teams can present some challenges in completing various tasks but it also has many advantages. As sixth year mechanical engineer student, I have worked with many teams to complete various projects throughout college. After each project, I learned more about how to succeed in working on big projects with people of different personalities and time schedules.

In past projects I’ve noticed that in working with bigger groups it was more difficult in communicating with the whole team on what needs to be completed and who is doing what. I encountered that issue when working on the mechanical design project in which it was very difficult to assign everyone work without really assessing strengths and weaknesses of each individual. Consequently, some team members were burdened with a lot of work, while other team members couldn’t input much work on the project. One of my goals as a team member is to make sure to address my work progress to all my team members and to maintain a very steady line of communication, whether moving along smoothly or having difficulty. Furthermore, I will try to make sure that my team members would feel comfortable asking me for help or assistance on their work and to make sure that the whole team is aware that there is help needed in certain areas.

               Additionally, one of the biggest challenges to overcome initially is deciding what project to do and how to approach the goal. Working in a team presents a lot of ideas and thought processes and it becomes difficult in deciding which approach to take. As a result, there is a lot of time spent in sorting out ideas, especially at the inception of team projects. Last year working on my mechatronics project, my partner and I worked together very well and I would say the main reason was communication. Since it was just two of us working on the project, communication was very easy, as our work was easily split up and relaying information back and forth through texts was convenient and effective. However, once we began the physical build and testing of the project there were many times in which our ideas conflicted with each other and time management became an issue. It is critical to start as soon as possible in order to meet the deadlines and manage time accordingly.