Boe-Bot - 12/2/16

This is going to be one of the final days work can be done on the boe-bot. After math ended I stayed after for a little bit and went to the lab where I went to begin to begin working on the boe-bot, unfortunately neither Carlos or Joel could make it today so I was working alone. I kept in touch with both of my group members to keep tabs on the presentation status. But anyways, I broke out the boe-bot and pulled up the code and went to work. First I thought that it may not be the code at all and maybe something different. Maybe the QTIs were not wired correctly and so I labeled them all and made sure that they were correctly plugged in how the instructions called for.

After I did that I reinstalled my code and it still gave the exact same results as it did before. So I started to think that it may be the servos. So I brought the instruction book out and looked up how to correctly set the servos. I found out how to and I executed the instructions step by step. I learned while I was setting them that they were not correctly set so I was really excited when I went to test again because I thought that was the problem. It preformed better but it couldn't correctly follow the line. I thought immediately that the problem was my code.

So I changed it back to the basics without my alterations. It started to do some very weird things. Like the first time Carlos, Joel and I got it to move it was just spazzing. It was getting scary because soon I had to leave to catch a bus. But I was determined so I went back to work. I completely altered the sensor readings. The result was good. But the Bot wouldn't go straight. So I switched the Servo powers for all of the sensor readings and FINALLY. It followed a line. And it performed amazing. I tested it a few times and then packed up because I had to leave. Here are the two tests. The 90 degree turn, at the end the sensor got stuck on a bundle of tape that's why I had to grab it quickly. I'm very proud of my progress today. I was sad that Carlos or Joel could not attend. But I sent them these very videos and told them of my progress.

Boe-Bot - 12/1/16

In the beginning of this lab we got back to work on the QTI code. The best part of the day was that I was really starting to understand how this code worked. While I was messing around with it I told Carlos and Joel that because of how close the exam is that they should get started on gathering the information of the project and constructing the presentation while I work on getting the line following robot into working order. Again the group was very busy today and no videos were shared. But my new understanding of the code allowed me to get just a little bit closer to getting it right. Carlos and Joel went and started working on the presentation while I worked on the code. That was our roles for today. I was having problems with the Boe-bot not going the right direction. I even got as far as having it follow a line but not being able to take a right curve or turn. This was my code before I threw in the towel for the day. I was not able to get the code right. Which scares me because according to our WBS and Gantt we were supposed to be finalizing the testing and beginning the presentation. But I'm sure everything will work out.

Boe-Bot - 11/29/16

Today there was a lot more frustration then picture taking. So there wont be much to show for today. The whole day consisted of finishing the coding of the QTI sensors... Which we didn't finish. We followed the instructions on writing the code but it just didn't seem to want to work. Joel, Carlos and I altered the code dozens of times, changing the amount of power going into the servos. But nothing would give positive results. We ended up having to call it a day. Unfortunately the end date is coming quickly and we are not having that much to show for it. Here is a picture of how the code was looking.

Boe-Bot - 11/28/16

Today is not an official class day but after a very long break we happened to put ourselves behind schedule which worried Carlos and I. Joel, However, was not able to make it to the meeting. The main objective of the day was getting the Boe-bot to make any movement at all. So we plugged it into the computer and downloaded a code script that Carlos typed up onto the Boe-bot. This is a picture of us downloading the code.

Fortunately we were able to get the boe-bot to move, unfortunately this is what it did...

With some minor adjustments to the code we were able to make it go into circles. The original problem was the amount of power Carlos gave to the servos in the PULSOUT.

This is the most progress that Carlos and I got on the coding of our Boe-Bot today. But before we left I wanted to finish wiring the QTI sensors. When I finished that we packed up and ended the day.

Boe-Bot - 11/22/16

When we arrived to class Carlos explained to us that he read a lot on how to program the robot. This was great news because I really had no clue if I was going to be able to Find out how to program. But as we were in class Carlos was explaining everything in detail and it started making more and more sense. Joel and I watched as he showed how it was done. The program that is used for coding looks like this.

The goal of the day was to complete wiring and assembling the Boe-Bot. We also started to install the Qti sensors (Line following sensors). It was a relatively easy install. However, I'm curious to see how the coding is going to work.

Boe-Bot - 11/17/16

When Carlos, Joel, and I arrived to Lab today we got cracking on the project. After we finalized the Problem Statement and confirmed it with Mrs. Vestal we received our Boe-Bot Kit. My first thought about the kit was that it was very confusing. Before we opened the kit we established our roles. Carlos seemed more into programming the actual bot, Joel was going to work on the design of the Boe-Bot, while I work on assembling the bot. The focus today was the assembly of the bot. We were also faced with the task of wiring the servos of the bot as well. The body was assembled and most of the wiring was finished. Although no one had a clue how to program or work the bot, it was coming together. At this point in time we were ahead of time according to our WBS, and Gantt chart. It is going to be very interesting to discover how this contraption is going to work. Today we also decided that we will be using a line follower kit on our Boe-Bot. The line follower is the best choice due to the concept of our problem statement.

Boe-Bot - 11/15/16

Day 4

Today went much differently than expected. We arrived into class and we were faced with the task to finish our Problem Statement. We thought it was going to be much easier with the input that we received from Mrs. Vestal. So we went to work. First we made slight adjustments to the body of the problem statement. Just minor working errors and different kinds of sentence structure errors. Then we wrote our Vision, because we were missing that after finishing our first draft. We thought it was very nice but were very much proved wrong by Mrs. Vestal. We made more errors then we did before! After trial and error we finally developed a problem statement that was finally worthy. Oh look at the time. It was the end of class by the time we finished the problem statement. But that is okay! we are still ahead of schedule! Ill post a picture of the final Problem Statement soon. But that was Day 4 of the Boe-Bot project!  

Boe-Bot Group Meeting - 11/14/16

Group meeting

This meeting was very important because we finally got the chance to start designing the Boe-Bot. First we began by having a free sketch of a boe-bot and this is what we came up with.

The top left and the bottom left were two sketches that I came up with. The top right was Carlos's designs and the bottom right was Joel's sketch. After visualizing each graph Carlos, Joel, and I all decided the pros and cons of each one. We all agreed that we liked the look of Carlos's and the mechanics of mine. Joel's was very similar to mine, just a difference in the storage. So we all agreed to combine the pros of each one. We took it to the board to sketch designs with our pros in mind...

The far left is my sketch. The middle sketch is Carlos's, and the far right sketch is Joel's. With each of our sketches being very familiar we decided that it would be best to go with a similar design of Joel's because he had a very neat idea for storage. This is where we ended the meet for the day.

Boe-Bot - 11/10/16

Day 3

Ah yes... Today was a very fine day to start finishing up our WBS and Gantt Charts. Carlos, Joel and I worked very vigorously for all of the lab to complete these charts. Thankfully I found a software that constructed a Gantt chart as we constructed the WBS itself, which worked amazing. We worked between this and also revising the problem statement after Mrs. Vestal looked it over and gave us her words of wisdom. That directed us to the correct path on constructing our problem statement. The pictures I have for this week are of the final WBS and Gantt chart and also the draft of the problem statement. Doesn't look like much completed but we finally set a schedule that we can follow from now on which makes me very very very happy.

Boe-Bot - 11/08/16

Day 2

Today is the second day that we are officially working on our Boe-Bot project. We focused mainly on the problem statement today. After we each wrote our own problem statement, we evaluated each of them and then we looked for the strengths of each one and combined them to make our final problem statement. We did all of this while following the set guidelines.

Here are some pictures of us working on our problem statement. These pictures are of me typing my problem statement. One of which Joel is in the background working on his as well.

After we finished our draft we spent the last bit of class working on our WBS. This picture is of 

Carlos' WBS chart and his progress. At the same time both Joel and I were working on creating ours because the plan is to combine all three to make one WBS chart that we all agree on. We got a great amount of work done today and I'm very proud of my group so far!!! :)

Boe-Bot - 11/03/16

Day 1

Wow. Today was the first day of the Boe-Bot project. It seems like yesterday was the first day of class. But now it is time to get serious. Today was the day we picked our teams and got to thinking. Carlos, Joel and I were chosen to be in a team (Team: π) (Team Number: 3.14). First we started with discussing our team contract.

The first picture is Joel reviewing the contract and the second picture is me signing the contract.

Next we went into discussion about the project itself. We went over what a Boe-Bot was and what kind of project we were going to do. After that class was over but we scheduled a get together to start working on our WBS. Here are some of our sketches of what Boe-bot we would make.

East Carolina Trip

Trip Blog - ECU

Today was the day of the long awaited ECU Trip!!!

It all started with an amazing two and a half hour drive to the campus. Actually it wasn't the best experience but it was over before I knew it. As soon as we arrived we made our way to the science and technology building where we heard a very great introduction about their engineering program.

 After the details of the program and a few amazing speakers we were able to tour the different labs in the building. I have a load of pictures but here are a few that were very interesting.

In these pictures you can see the different kinds of equipment and contraptions they have made. You will also see the different kinds of printers and even some equipment from their bio labs! It was all very interesting. After the tour we went to go eat. The food hall was amazing and the food was great.

Afterwards we went and took a tour of the actual campus. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures but the campus was beautiful and I really enjoyed it. To end it we all endured the trip back. When we arrived back to Elizabeth city we said our goodbyes and that is how we ended our day.

Discipline Report

WBS & Gantt Chart Food Lab - 10/20/16

Today was the day that our group had to come together and create the final WBS that we would follow to complete the assigned task at hand... To go and get food for everybody. First we started off by comparing WBS charts. At first it was just Carlos and I that had it completed. William had not shown up yet and Alex and Joel didn't complete theirs. Mine looked something like this...

Carlos had more of a in depth list of the whole project which he included the minutes of each step which I didn't. Mine was a lot broader chart form of the WBS that he made. At this point the group was having difficulties deciding which to focus on until William came in with his.

His was great because it was a great in-between of both Carlos and I's WBS. So we decided to focus on Williams. Before we completely finished finalizing the WBS we had already decided where we were going to go which was a big no-no to Mrs. Vestal. She had us decide another place to go. After the finalization of the WBS we went to work. We had to first decide where we were going to eat. After only 3 or 5 minutes of communication we had already planned to call up a pancake place called Andy's Pancake and Steak house. While Carlos had them on the phone getting them to list the order we were taking notes on the cost... We then decided that we wanted to get. Some of us including Joel and I only had cards, while some of us only had a larger for of currency other than 5 dollars. So it was settled that Carlos and William would throw in a 20 each and the rest would pay our cost. We decided them that William and I were going to go get the food and I would be driving.

It didn't take William and I but only 10 minutes maximum to get to the Pancake house and about 5 minutes to pay and collect the food. They were very nice people. But William and I forgot an important part of the order... the receipt. But it was a pretty hefty bill and when she said the cost it was stuck in my head, $32.50. After only about another 10 minute drive William and I were welcome by the rest of our hungry looking group. The area was nice and clean, I was impressed! We then all sat down and all enjoyed our delicious pancakes!

After that nice meal we all cleaned up and that ended our successful first of its kind EGR Breakfast! Later I Got to working on a more accurate WBS and the Gantt chart that goes with. I used the excel program to create the Gantt chart because I felt like it was the most effective and easy way to create it. Although I couldn't change the cell size for different time intervals I did however use a shading feature in the cell to make it look like it was taking up less time. So here is my refurbished WBS and my newly made Gantt Chart... Enjoy!

3-D Printing Lab - 10/17/16

Final

Today was the day that I finally got to print my design! I was very excited to see how it was going to turn out. After Calculus I got the chance to talk to Mrs. Vestal to see if I could print, she said yes and we were off to go turn on the printer and get it warmed up. We had some minor difficulties with getting the design to print, mainly because of the type of file that was associated with the design. I fixed the file type, put it onto a usb and then finally I was off to go print!

I would like to remind you of the design that was created.

I thought the design looked very pretty, and it certainly did look okay. But there was a problem that I first thought off in the beginning. The way the wings were suspended above the ground. It certainly was an issue....

When we pressed start the print was off. It looked very beautiful.

It was looking like amazing progress. Unfortunately I was right about the wings. I saw where the printer took the wrong turn and so I left so I could be surprised by the outcome and trust me... I was.

Even though it wasn't exactly like my final design, not even similar in fact, I'm still very proud of the first thing I have designed for the 3-D printer. If I were to do it again I would have done what Mrs. Vestal told me after my final print... To keep it simple. But we live and we learn :)