Wednesday, April 27, 2011

RoboPro: Subprograms and Meters

The recent activity that we had wanted us to create subprograms, specifically one that increases the value of a variable.



The benefits of these subprograms is that it provides more space to complete our main code, and create simple smaller functions where we can use a variable to define rather than recreate the entire code.

Delieverable

The Red Barron

Design Notes
1. The challenge of this project is to create a simple glider out of balsa wood, tissue paper, and glue. The goal of this project is to have the most distance and hang time compared to the other gliders.

2. Air resistance is the key factor to creating the best glider so our first major ideas were to create a rounded bottom and also have large curved wings.




3. Criteria:
  • Sustained flight
  • Durable enough for multiple flights
  • Well enough assembled for a solid throw
Constraints:
  • Materials
Test Notes

When we tested our gilder it didn't have a stable balance point so we added a front weight to the nose end to fix it.

4. The test day had more wind then anticiapated and caused problems at first. The extended nose snapped off so we hot glued it back much stronger. After the glue set we took the first test and it performed beautifully. The one thing I would change if done again would be having it be able to make a softer landing as to make many more throws after that.

Egg Drop Challenge - Iteration #1

Total # of Achievements Earned: 20
Achievements:
  1. Material Weight: All of my materials weigh less than 25 grams = 7 achievements
  2. Drop Accuracy: MISS = 0 achievements
  3. Material Size: My materials were 4 pieces of paper and tape which fit in an cigar box = 3 achievements
  4. Egg Resilience: INTACT = 6 achievements
  5. Calculation Achievements: Arithmetic:
Algebra:  x =  xo + vo + 1/2a + t^2
  • 4.37=0+0t+(1/2)(9.8)t^2
  • t=.944s total fall time
Geometry:
  • θ is important, because it effects the accuracy of the drop. Any variation in angle could change the whole design of your system
  • θ= 83.47 
Calculus: Velocity in 1/2 second.
  • Int [1/2(9.8),0, .5]
  • = 2.25 m/s
6. Even though our system wasn't the lightest in the project Josh and I had the ultimate protection. We wanted to slow down the rate at which it would drop using air resistance and when it lands we had a shock absorbing very light weight material, which is the same thats used in the "pool noodles". If I were to alter anything of my project I would like to design something to make the drop more accurate. Possibly a rudder system.

Engineer Program Investigation (UNF)


1. UNF (University of North Florida) appeals to me because of the area and people attending. I have family at this college and would love to join them.

2. Electrical Engineering is interesting to me because I feel you can almost always figure out a way use it when creating and designing.

3. The most interesting would Aerospace Engineering but with only a very selective few areas of use it wouldnt be as valueable as something that would be used everyday.

Technology, Entertainment, Design

1. TED was established in 1984 and is a small nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading. Its basically a group who shares the rest of the worlds good ideas.

2. The website is very easy to navigate and the purpose is just that. To make it easy for people to spread ideas.  You can see a picture you like and click it to proceed to the video.

3. Technology, design, science, and even global issues could be considered "engineering" topics. They all have to do with ideas being innovated.

4.http://www.ted.com/talks/harvey_fineberg_are_we_ready_for_neo_evolution.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_belcher_using_nature_to_grow_batteries.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/carolyn_porco_could_a_saturn_moon_harbor_life.html

These are all good "talks" I've found that cover technology and innovation. They all cover a very large topic with a few small/simple ideas.

5. My Video - Adjustable eye glasses using water pressures
http://www.ted.com/talks/josh_silver_demos_adjustable_liquid_filled_eyeglasses.html

6. If I were to work with the glasses I feel training in optomotry and manufacturing to be able to develope and work with the glasses