Monday, November 7, 2016

Week #10

We finally presented today. After all of the stress of completing the presentation, it's finally done. After our presentation, we really narrowed down what we needed to do for our project at the end of this semester, with only a couple of weeks left. Our main focus is the columns, footings and beam supports. All three of these things should be integrated together, since they're all simply pieces of each other. For the end of this semester, we're going to try and fabricate these features by using a thick cardboard, just to get an idea of how we're going to put everything together. This is important for next semester, when we're actually going to be using sheet-metal, or other sorts of expensive materials.

Here's a link to our presentation: Presentation 2

Week #9

We had our presentation date pushed to next week, so it was sort-of a relief for the whole team. Of course, after watching the teams before us present, we were able to pin-point their weaknesses and continue working on our presentation. Some members on our team were still confused with some calculations, so we had a meeting with Dr. Furman and Eric 2 days prior to our presentation day, on Wednesday.

Dr. Furman asked me to do more calculations which compared different types of column supports with the columns that we're going to use. We were using a hollow cross type of column, while I compared those calculations with a hollow cylinder and hollow square column.

These calculations and comparisons were timely, especially with a vibrations exam that happened to be on the same day as our presentation; however, I was able to complete what Dr. Furman asked.

Week #8

This week, we began preparing for our 2nd presentation about our progress. During the class session, the team broke down different aspects of the presentation into equally divided divisions so that we're able to fully cover most of the grading rubric. I quickly jumped onto the calculations part of the grading rubric, because I'm more comfortable working with equations, calculations and most importantly - numbers. For the calculations, my main goal was to try and use given parameters from our contact in South Africa. With these parameters, I was able to solve for the Modulus of Elasticity, through using Euler's Buckling Load equation.

After the class session ended, we had an outside class meeting to continuing working on the PowerPoint as a group at the MLK library, from 3-6pm on Thursday.

Fortunately, also on Thursday, Claude was able to get the laser cutter to work with the help of the IT guys and Dr. Furman - and cut pieces for our rapid prototype to show the class.

Everyone is stressed out for the presentation approaching this coming Wednesday.