Week 19 - Project Development

Deadline

Deadline for the project is 21.6.2017. I had 2 weeks to finish my work.

Tasks

Most of the tasks are designing and manufacturing the parts that are not ready yet. Full assemply, finalishing the code and testrunning the machine.

At this point I have completed the main support structure, stepper control electronics, Some networking boards.

I still need to compelete electronics casings, network and power electronics, application software, and assemply. First I will build the structure and mechanics on first week. Second week I will do the assemply, testing and application sofware.

All parts made during this time has worked as expected. Only major issue was the slow step speed of the stepper motors. This makes the movement of the machine quite slow. It is not a problem for the actual process. I need to deside if I want to make gear assemply to speed up the movement or try to speed it up with software. UPDATE: I could speed up the system a bit with software, making the step speed a bit faster but I can not make it faster that what it is now with software. Using the machine will show later if something have to be done to it or is the current speed good enough.

Other issue is the servo controlling the pcb arm. It is working on its limit. I need to see if the system must be designed using something else like DC-motor. Maybe I find stronger servo? UPDATE: At the end, the current servo worked ok for this assemply. For future updates for the system I have to see if DC-motor with gear assemply would be better option.

Biggest question that has to be answered is to future develompent of the system. I will be making a second model after finishing this with multiple updates to the system. All electronics need to be put on one place or even one pcb. Cable routings need to be re-designed. Support structure needs to be changed from current wooden one to metal on suitable plactic material. Would belt drive be better than current trapedsoidal screw? But these question have to be answered after this version is tested enough.

I have learned almost everything I have worked over the course. To start with, I had general understanding of some topics like electronics design or CAD-design. But I had no actual skills to do them. I had almost no skills to do any software, application or enbedded. So I have learned a lot during this course. 3D-design and printing, laser cutter operation, electronics design, hardware design etc. To sum it up every week has been a steep learning curve for me!