Part A
Survey results so far
Personal Summary
So far in our capstone project we have visited multiple ideas and have spent a large amount of time deciding what project we were going to pursue. We have finally decided on making a modification or the Qinetiq TALON EOD bot. We have gotten almost 50 bomb squads in the U.S. to take our survey and give us crucial feedback for what kind of modification we should make for the TALON. We also have posted our survey on a sub-reddit for even more feedback.
Click below to take our survey
Part B
Previous Patents
Existing Products
Potential Market
We believe there is a market for out product because not only are there roughly 450 bomb squads in the United States alone, and within those bomb squads there are currently 353 TALON robots in service. Also, as the graph to the left shows, there will be more and more military funding towards unmanned robots and vehicles in the up and coming years. That means that there will be more TALON robots made, and more money to buy our product. Also, in line with our market survey conducted in part A the percentage of people that would buy this product is 90%.
Bibliography: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-bomb-squads-assess-a-suspicious-package/ https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7898666 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster-Miller_TALON https://goo.gl/forms/VjnCOm7U5ohHwG0i1 |
Individual Summary
In part B of our project we dug deeper in a sense to find out more about our problem. For example before we had started part B we had thought that we were the only ones trying to come up with a solution to this problem. Now that we have found that we aren't the only ones attempting to solve this problem, our solution will have to be cheaper, easier to use, and just all around better than our competition's product.
Part C
Name
Robotic
Actuator
Tool
System
Or R.A.T.S. for short
Actuator
Tool
System
Or R.A.T.S. for short
Designers
Kyle Elliott
Nate Bradford
Austin Cheyne
Nate Bradford
Austin Cheyne
Design specifications
Who is the target consumer?
Divide the following list of criteria among your team members. Each team member will then identify specific requirements necessary for a successful solution related to each assigned element. Be as specific as possible and include measurable values where applicable. For example, use “Within one second the device must warn the vehicle driver and disengage the cruise control when the car attains a distance of less than 50 ft directly between itself and another vehicle” rather than “The device must warn the driver and slow the vehicle when the car is too close to an object.” Be sure to identify the source(s) of the information on which you base each constraint. Add additional criteria as needed.
· Customer Needs. What does the customer want/need?
The customer wants a way to have more than one usable tool at a time while working with the robot.
· Performance. What must the product be able to do? Be specific.
The product must be able to use the tool attached for its intended purpose. For example, the knife needs to be situated so it can cut stuff. Also, the product cannot hinder the robot in any way such as movement or arm usability.
· Target Cost. What is the anticipated cost to the consumer for this product?
50-100 dollars.
· Size and Weight. What size should the product be, or what restrictions to size exist? What are the weight restrictions on the product?
Should be as light as possible so it doesn’t hinder how much the arm can pick up. Should be relatively small. Also, the product cannot be larger than the arm itself. Will weight 3-6 lbs.
https://www.twmetals.com/calculators.html
https://www.progressiveautomations.com/products/mini-linear-actuator
· Aesthetics. Are there preferences in the appearance features of the product (color, surface treatment, shape, material)? If so, describe them.
Keeping it the same color as the robot would look better but other than that as long as it works looks don’t matter.
· Materials. Is there a specific material or materials that must be used? If yes, describe it.
There are no specific materials needed, unless there is a preference of what tools are made of like a stainless steel knife vs. a steel knife.
· Safety and Legal Issues. Identify potential safety and legal issues that may arise from the use of this product.
Arm malfunction may cause injury.
· Ergonomics. Identify considerations for the ergonomics of the product.
The placement on robot,and the sharpness of the knife are considerations for the ergonomics
· Operating Environment. Identify the environmental conditions relevant to the manufacture and use of the product (temperature, corrosion potential, dust or dirt, pressure, humidity, vibration, noise, degree of abuse, etc.).
The product must be able to endure most if not all climates while maintaining functionality. As long as it’s not hot enough to metal, dust and dirt will have little to no effect. Vibrations, noise and humidity will also not have much of an effect on the product’s functionality.
· Global Environment. Will the product include any toxic or dangerous substances? What is the plan for disposal of the product at the end of its useful life?
The product might contain plastic and that can be recycled along with the metal that will be used in the product.
· Service Life. What is the required service life of the product?
10 years
· Product Life. What is the anticipated length of time that the product will be produced before it is replaced by a newer version or alternate product?
5-7 years
· Durability and Maintenance. Will the product require routine maintenance during its service life? If yes, answer the following.
Yes
o What specific parts of the product must have easy access for maintenance?
The actuator
o What is the anticipated maintenance schedule?
Once or twice a year depending on how many times it is broken or damaged.
o Are special tools required? How will they be acquired?
Maybe a hex wrench. Go to a department store or order one.
o Will replacement parts be required? How will they be acquired?
· Yes if something breaks such as the knife it will have to be replaced by either ordering more or having more on hand.
Additional Criteria
2.As a team prioritize your list of criteria from most important to least important.
Weight <6 lbs
Cost $50-$100
Must be done by April
Divide the following list of criteria among your team members. Each team member will then identify specific requirements necessary for a successful solution related to each assigned element. Be as specific as possible and include measurable values where applicable. For example, use “Within one second the device must warn the vehicle driver and disengage the cruise control when the car attains a distance of less than 50 ft directly between itself and another vehicle” rather than “The device must warn the driver and slow the vehicle when the car is too close to an object.” Be sure to identify the source(s) of the information on which you base each constraint. Add additional criteria as needed.
· Customer Needs. What does the customer want/need?
The customer wants a way to have more than one usable tool at a time while working with the robot.
· Performance. What must the product be able to do? Be specific.
The product must be able to use the tool attached for its intended purpose. For example, the knife needs to be situated so it can cut stuff. Also, the product cannot hinder the robot in any way such as movement or arm usability.
· Target Cost. What is the anticipated cost to the consumer for this product?
50-100 dollars.
· Size and Weight. What size should the product be, or what restrictions to size exist? What are the weight restrictions on the product?
Should be as light as possible so it doesn’t hinder how much the arm can pick up. Should be relatively small. Also, the product cannot be larger than the arm itself. Will weight 3-6 lbs.
https://www.twmetals.com/calculators.html
https://www.progressiveautomations.com/products/mini-linear-actuator
· Aesthetics. Are there preferences in the appearance features of the product (color, surface treatment, shape, material)? If so, describe them.
Keeping it the same color as the robot would look better but other than that as long as it works looks don’t matter.
· Materials. Is there a specific material or materials that must be used? If yes, describe it.
There are no specific materials needed, unless there is a preference of what tools are made of like a stainless steel knife vs. a steel knife.
· Safety and Legal Issues. Identify potential safety and legal issues that may arise from the use of this product.
Arm malfunction may cause injury.
· Ergonomics. Identify considerations for the ergonomics of the product.
The placement on robot,and the sharpness of the knife are considerations for the ergonomics
· Operating Environment. Identify the environmental conditions relevant to the manufacture and use of the product (temperature, corrosion potential, dust or dirt, pressure, humidity, vibration, noise, degree of abuse, etc.).
The product must be able to endure most if not all climates while maintaining functionality. As long as it’s not hot enough to metal, dust and dirt will have little to no effect. Vibrations, noise and humidity will also not have much of an effect on the product’s functionality.
· Global Environment. Will the product include any toxic or dangerous substances? What is the plan for disposal of the product at the end of its useful life?
The product might contain plastic and that can be recycled along with the metal that will be used in the product.
· Service Life. What is the required service life of the product?
10 years
· Product Life. What is the anticipated length of time that the product will be produced before it is replaced by a newer version or alternate product?
5-7 years
· Durability and Maintenance. Will the product require routine maintenance during its service life? If yes, answer the following.
Yes
o What specific parts of the product must have easy access for maintenance?
The actuator
o What is the anticipated maintenance schedule?
Once or twice a year depending on how many times it is broken or damaged.
o Are special tools required? How will they be acquired?
Maybe a hex wrench. Go to a department store or order one.
o Will replacement parts be required? How will they be acquired?
· Yes if something breaks such as the knife it will have to be replaced by either ordering more or having more on hand.
Additional Criteria
2.As a team prioritize your list of criteria from most important to least important.
- Performance
- Target cost
- Durability
- Size and Weight
- Customer Needs
- Product Life
- Service Life
- Safety and Legal Issues
- Materials
- Ergonomics
- replacement parts
- Aesthetics
Weight <6 lbs
Cost $50-$100
Must be done by April
Target Consumer
Our Target consumer is bomb squads and military units. Any military robot could be retrofitted with our design to allow them to use more tools. We will base our product on the Qinetiq talon and will fit the best with it but can be attached to most other robots.
Individual summary
In this part I helped my group complete the design specifications questions and the prioritizing of our criteria. I was only able to help in these two sections of part c as a result of me falling ill and not being able to come to school to help my team for the first two days of us working on part c.
Part D
List of people interviewed
Mr. Gooding
Mr. Hunter
Ms. Hill
Mr. Cheynet
Mrs. Cheynet
Ms. Sangwan
Mr. Bradford
Mrs. Bradford
Mr. Elliott
Miss. Valerie Kelm
Mrs. Helen Kelm
Mr. Hunter
Ms. Hill
Mr. Cheynet
Mrs. Cheynet
Ms. Sangwan
Mr. Bradford
Mrs. Bradford
Mr. Elliott
Miss. Valerie Kelm
Mrs. Helen Kelm
Summary of my findings
So far we have found that when presenting our ideas to normal people we need to dumb it down a little so people can understand what we are saying. Also that we have a good idea, we just need to refine it a little more and explain it to people better. We also need to watch what we make so that we can make sure that it isn't too similar to already patented ideas similar to ours. We also need to hurry up in making our project as we are far behind.
Linear Actuator with block attached that can easily equip new tools and can be used without interfering with the robot's claw function. Also can extend the reach of the robot by ten inches.
Part E
1. We need to understand that one tool that works perfectly or next to perfectly will be better than a bunch of tools that only somewhat work.
2. During the construction stage of our prototype we will hopefully use some sort of clamp to hold the actuator in place on the arm and use a 3D printer to create all of the tools and the block. During the testing stage we will focus on getting the actuator to move back and forth with the inputs on the control system. While gathering data we will see if any length adjustments should be made and if we need to find another way to use the actuator.
3. Josh Bunting and Jon VanDeventer
4. The software and technology for our product will include a linear actuator and the code to make it go in and out. While creating the tools for the prototype we are planning to use a 3D printer.
2. During the construction stage of our prototype we will hopefully use some sort of clamp to hold the actuator in place on the arm and use a 3D printer to create all of the tools and the block. During the testing stage we will focus on getting the actuator to move back and forth with the inputs on the control system. While gathering data we will see if any length adjustments should be made and if we need to find another way to use the actuator.
3. Josh Bunting and Jon VanDeventer
4. The software and technology for our product will include a linear actuator and the code to make it go in and out. While creating the tools for the prototype we are planning to use a 3D printer.
Introductory Letters
Part F
Product Viability
For this project we have all the skills required to easily build a prototype. The actuator will require a little bit of coding in order to make it extend and retract on the signal of the fire control's burst of electricity. We will also need to make a battery for the actuator. Our modification will still weigh less than 6 pounds. We will still be using ABS 3D print plastic to make modifications to the actuator and make it's battery case. Other than the actuator the only moving part is the screw for the tools to be attached. The coding we will use will probably have to be a sort of state machine to operate the actuator.
Except for a few patents that we've carefully avoided copying, there are currently no laws in place that will hinder our design for the future.
Individual Summary
In Part F I really got to look over what the final design for our project will look like. I also got a good look at where our design will be after its service life has come to an end. Overall I am happy with what our project is coming out to be and am proud to be one of the people behind this project.
Part G
Materials
- Actuator
- 3" hose clamps
- 12v to 5v step down
- PLA Filament
- Arduino Nano
- xt-60 connectors
- Motor Driver
- Wire
Arduino Code
Building Procedure Pricing
- Wire the actuator to the motor controller and connect the motor controller to power (12v battery)
- Connect the Arduino to the proper wires
- Set up the 5v step down on the Robot and connect it.
- Design the code and upload it to the arduino.
- Connect the Actuator to the Robot with 3" hose clamps.
- 3D model and print tool attachment devices and make tools
Part H
Testing Research
Usually in the EOD industry Tools and robots must be very durable and reliable. Therefore when testing occurs on a new product then there is usually stress tests done so that they know how capable their product is. Also the product must be reliable so tests are done over and over again so they know it will not fail in a scenario that the product might be in.
Prototype testing plan
Part I
Test 1
In first through second trial code failed to work.
In third trial actuator extended and stayed on wasting power.
In fourth trial motor driver broke. New one has been ordered.
In fifth trial actuator code was perfected and worked flawlessly extended and retracted.
In third trial actuator extended and stayed on wasting power.
In fourth trial motor driver broke. New one has been ordered.
In fifth trial actuator code was perfected and worked flawlessly extended and retracted.
Test 2
In first trial hook broke and was unable to pull dummy.
In second trial hook pulled dummy for one foot before snapping.
In second trial hook pulled dummy for one foot before snapping.
Changes made after testing
After we finished test one we kept adjusting the code until the state machine on Arduino was working.
After we finished test two we were short on time so we just printed another and hoped for the best.
After we finished test two we were short on time so we just printed another and hoped for the best.
Individual summary
In this stage of development we were hard-pressed on time, so we had to rush through this phase. This is what resulted in some of the failures during our presentation, like the hook and knife snapping. however i was happy with how good the code worked as well as how reliable the actuator turned out to be.
Part J
Presentation Review
I think our presentation overall was pretty good, granted I stuttered a lot and let me nerves get to me. However, the rest of my team did great with presenting our innovation. The demonstration of our products I feel worked really well to show the use of the actuator and the tools. That along with the detail of our slides we covered all that we wanted to but we went slightly over time which probably could've been avoided.
Main Adviser's bio
Jon VanDeventer is a retired teacher and now works as freelance engineer.
Part K
Kyle
Overall this project was fun and taught me a lot about the design process. It gave us real world feedback on our innovation and helped us learn why there are so few successful inventions nowadays. I wouldn't change anything about this project. This class has been a complete blast and I would recommend it to anyone. Sure in the beginning the Pre-Engineering class requires a lot of work and intelligence, but in the end I believe that there is no other program in high school that is as beneficial and fun as this one.
Austin
I Learned so much about engineering and design through the capstone project. in IED we learned about the engineering design process and I understood it but did not really comprehend all the parts that went into it. When we were presented with the capstone project then we were not prepared to fully design and prototype a product and do all the proper research. Now I am much more prepared to enter college and be presented with these classes and challenges. Another benefit I got from this Project was time management. We were pressed with time and had make sure parts got done so we were ready to present our prototype. Overall I benefited greatly from this experience as a whole and am excited to take the skills ive learned and apply them to real work applications in the future.
Nate
The experience i had with this project was a great one to say the least. This project has open my eyes to the problems that people have and how there are so many possible solution for all of them. While this project was in progress is was so excite to see this final project come to fruition, it was the first time we created something meaningful to society and that could help other people. It was the first time we put our knowledge to the test and acted like engineers, which felt amazing. This project has taught me so many invaluable things over the past 3 months and wouldn't change any part of the experience.