List of Projects, Spring 2016

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Eustacia Hampton
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1 List of Projects, Spring 2016 Course website: Some projects may not go, particularly if they do not receive sufficient interest or if other projects have high priority. It is not necessary for students to attend the competitions (Robotic Mining). All project materials and approved travel costs are funded. It is permissible to contact sponsors to discuss the projects after you have reviewed the information below. Club Team (CanSat and Robotic Mining) refers to student volunteers from the Space Club who could be involved and helping, but are somewhat independent from your effort and may need mentoring. 1. Dr. Dyer Project 1 Carpenter Work Bench: Capstone Design Project: Carpenter Work Bench Dr. Dyer About 4 students needed An alumnus from Auburn University s vet school has built a prototype of a bench constructed from aluminum tubing to serve as a portable work bench for carpenters. His bench is portable and serves to support both a cutoff saw and router table. He is in need of a design team to bring the prototype to a design ready for manufacture. This new design should be tested and modified as necessary. My opinion is that the current device could be significantly improved particularly in the area of use of different materials, methods to connect members, ability to accommodate other carpenter operations like drilling, etc. I have the prototype and enough material to construct another unit (we might want to consider some alternate materials in the design).

2 2. Dr. Dyer Project 2 Heat Pipe to Replace Hydronic Heating

3 3. Precision GPS Precision operation of agricultural implements based on GPS-RTK signals GPS (Global Positioning System) and RTK (Real Time Kinematics) technologies are increasingly being incorporated into agricultural field equipment to enable various precision operations. GPS-RTK information in the horizontal dimensions (latitude and longitude) is currently being used in tractor and implement control (autosteer) and variable-rate or precision application of chemicals. Use of GPS-RTK information in the vertical dimension (elevation, height), however, has not been extensively studied or implemented. A preliminary study was undertaken to identify and evaluate factors critical to the incorporation of GPS-RTK into the operation of a tractor s three-point hitch, and a working prototype was designed and demonstrated. Several issues were identified, however, which require further study and design improvements. The objective of this project is to refine the prototype design, or develop a unique, improved prototype, capable of controlling the vertical movement of a three-point hitch in response to GPS-RTK signals. Contact information Ken Fisher USDA Agricultural Research Service Stoneville, Mississippi daniel.fisher@ars.usda.gov Ted Kornecki USDA Agricultural Research Service Auburn, Alabama ted.kornecki@ars.usda.gov

4 4. Litter Distribution System The USDA National Soil Dynamics Lab at the corner of W. Samford Ave and S. Donahue Dr. in Auburn has developed a prototype agricultural field implement for applying broiler litter, which is a mixture of chicken manure and a bedding material such as sawdust, in shallow trenches in the soil. One of the components on the implement is a litter distributor which is an oval-shaped device with a heavy chain equipped with flights, which are paddles, and they move the litter around within the oval. The roller chain drive for driving the heavy chain is equipped with a torque-limiting clutch. We have two problems with our current setup: 1. When we adjust the torque limit of the torque-limiting clutch, it is difficult to know how much we have changed the torque limit. 2. We have not done an engineering design of the roller chain drive and mounting of the bearings. There are two objectives for the project: 1. Consider various designs of torque-limiting clutches and other torque-limiting devices. Design and develop a torque-limiting clutch or other torque-limiting device for this drive system. 2. Do an engineering design of the roller chain drive and mounting of the bearings, and build this new design. Thanks, Tom Thomas R. Way Agricultural Engineer USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory 411 S. Donahue Dr. Auburn, AL tom.way@ars.usda.gov Tel: Fax: (334)

5 5. Army Project 1: Noise on IMU

6 6. Army Project 2: Gunfire on IMU

7 7. Assembly Robot for Ultralight Handguns

9 8. NASA Robotic Mining NASA Robotic Mining Competition 2016 is for university-level students to design and build a mining robot that can traverse the simulated Martian chaotic terrain, excavate Martian regolith and deposit the regolith into a Collector Bin within 10 minutes. Robots include a digging system, on board storage, a drive system and a dumping system. There exists 6 motors, sensors TBD, and a mechanical team last semester created a preliminary design CAD assembly and a mobility platform which needs to be completely fabricated and tested for the competition in May. Autonomy a must!, handled largely by EE students, however MEs who seek to learn robotics technology and are lifelong learners can embed with the controls and programming subsystem team. You will work with a multidisciplinary team, and club team members. There is particular relevance to NASA s mission of pioneering a human presence on Mars through resource mining and utilization. The unique physical properties of basaltic regolith and the reduced 3/8th of Earth gravity make excavation a difficult technical challenge. Features: Robotics, mechanical systems, composites, controls, sensors and motors, a significant competitor is there, competition at KSC in May, award money, Grant Apperson helps with technical advising, 4-6 students. Note to MECH4240 students Spring 2016: This project is first semester build and test with the current 4250 students with club team assist. You will get an all-expenses-paid trip to KSC in May to compete. In the summer you will propose mechanical design improvements based on competition results.

10 9. CanSat Competition 2016 (maybe prep for 2017) This a small satellite that fits within a soft drink can or similar structure, and is launched by a rocket (rocket supplied, not to be designed). The CanSat is released at low elevation and fall to earth and collects science data during the fall. When the science vehicle is released from the container, it shall glide in a circular pattern with a diameter of no more than 1000 meters. During flight, the glider science vehicle shall sample the air pressure and temperature at a rate of 1 sample per second and transmit the data to a ground station. Position data of the sample data shall also be recorded and included in the telemetry at the same rate. Speed of the glider shall be measured with a pitot tube and compared with GPS generated velocity data. The glider science vehicle shall take a picture of the ground with the camera pointing at the ground when requested by the ground station judge. The imaging shall be initiated by a command sent from the ground station to the glider science vehicle. The images shall be recorded for retrieval after landing. Features: Competition in May or June, project is satellite engineering project, and assembly and interfacing of sensor and actuator systems and measurements and data collection. Working somewhat with club team. Technical Advising by Dr. Harris, assist from Dr. Adams (EE) and Dr. Triggs (AE) students.

11 10. Vegetable Peeler Whether a soldier who lost a limb in the line of duty, or a child with an amputation after an accident, or someone born with a limb difference, the simple task of peeling a carrot isn t so simple for some. One of the many activities taken for granted, for many, this simple task is highly frustrating and maybe even avoided all together. Help me adapt the standard vegetable peeler to make life a bit easier for those with a limb difference. What may seem a dull expedition is one that can bring tremendous assistance to hundreds of thousands of people. A functional vegetable peeler that can be used by someone without a hand, yet also attractive and sleek enough for anyone and everyone to want one in their kitchen. Complete product design. from concept, through multiple prototypes, through patenting and manufacturing ready product.

12 11. GKN Project GKN is a manufacturer of aerospace composite parts in Tallassee, AL. automatic machinery design? Learn composite manufacturing? Job potential?, most likely

13 12. Disabled Child Mobility Device You would be connected with a child with a physical disability and design something for that child. Work with physical therapists?, rehabilitation engineering center. This project could be combined with the peeler if a large team shows. John was born prematurely after 25 weeks gestation and weighing 1lb 8oz and spent 19 months in the hospital. He is currently 3 years old and is enjoying life with his family. He lives at home with his mom and dad. He is learning to eat and tolerate food and receives physical, occupational, and speech therapy. As he continues to grow, transportation has become a bit of a challenge. Traditional strollers are not sufficient as he requires a vent, oxygen, go bag, food bag, and a food pump. Additionally, the mother stated that he could use a high chair that he could not rock and that is big enough for him. John continues to make tremendous strides but as he grows, he is aging out of traditional infant/toddler equipment.

Technical Advisor/Sponsor: Dr. Jordan Roberts

Technical Advisor/Sponsor: Dr. Jordan Roberts Project Choices MECH4240 Summer 2017 The rules: Rank your top 4 choices, in order, giving a list with project number and project name, and email those by Sunday, 6 pm to Ross Lambert (trl0007@tigermail.auburn.edu)