Procedure:
0. Assignment
1. Questions
1a. What Is The Deadline? How Much Time Do I Have Left?
1b. What tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain?
1c. How will I complete the remaining tasks in time?
1d. What has worked?
1e. What hasn't?
1f. What questions still need to be resolved?
1g. What have you learnt?
2. Project Plan
0. Assignment
Complete your final project
Track and document your progress
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Evaluate project plan.
Apply time management techniques
Summarise and communicate the essence of the project.
HAVE YOU...
1. Questions
a. What Is The Deadline? How Much Time Do I Have Left?
I do not have much time left as I am doing as well my Final Thesis Project in Architecture. I need to be very efficient. Right now I am doing a first prototype that has an input, and output, I use several technologies to have a more functional prototype, where I bring together:
-two input devices (2 ultrasonic sensors)
-one output device (1 Stepper Motor)
-creating a networking (through serial communication)
-using two technologies (3d printing & lasercutting), but for the final table several more such as CNC machining, molding and casting and other types of networking,
I need to focus on creating now on something that works, moves correctly. On the spiral development this is the first step. Once I successfully do this, the next one is to continue working on the other 2 projects that combine the whole drawing table.
b. What tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain?
The tasks that have been completed so far are having most of the passive parts with the exception of the belt's tensor. It is almost finished but still testing on it.
On the other hand, I have planned the possible code for the machine and ready to be checked with my instructor. As I am using the Networking input and output boards, I do not need to create the electronics again.
Then, the final part is to calibrate the machine considering all the different problems that may have while moving.
c. How will I complete the remaining tasks in time?
Completing the first step of having the physical prototype is close. The big next step is the programming.
After all these weeks getting use to coding and creating my own programs, I am able to make it correctly. My instructor will be important in this part of the process.
How I will do this? Doing several things at the same time. While something is printing on the 3d printer, I will be programming and testing the machine. By having several things open at the same time now that I have my design almost done, it will be able to optimise my time.
d. What has worked?
For now, the structure works, especially after stiffing it with two longitudinal wooden pieces that hold the piece together. The slider moves from one side to the other without any problems and after the first tests with the tensor, the next design should work correctly.
As well, the motor's attachment is finished holding it as if it was one piece.
e. What hasn't?
I am still re-designing the belt's tensor as the first design was not the one. It has failed to the job its suppose to do.
Last week I had some problems with the structure (not holding everything together) and the motor's attachment (it broke). As well, I had some problems with the slider for it to slide smoothly through the horizontal axis, having to pour some oil to make reduce friction.
f. What questions still need to be resolved?
The questions that still need to be resolved are:
-Are the sonars prepared to react to error like both having obstacles at the same time?
-What parts of the first prototype can be used for the architectural table?
-How Am I going to have a communication between two boards that work at different speeds? Not networking baud rate, but reading sonar's distances and the motor reacting to them).
g. What have you learnt?
What I have learnt these past weeks are several things. Although right now I am doing a functional prototype, all the different parts that take part in this project are more complex than I thought.
I am used to design static objects (buildings and furniture), therefore, I am used to the designing process of things that do not move. In this case, I am creating something that moves. Although the movement is restricted sideways, still it is more difficult to think in dynamic terms. This project really motivates me to create my goal of my architectural table, having a nice clean design incorporating what I have learnt in electronics and machining to make it possible.
2. Project Plan
During this last month, this is the planning. I need to mention that during this whole process I will be at the same time finishing my Final Project for Architecture.
