Wrapping Up the Semester

I apologize for not realizing that the blog was not updated as it should. There were some silly technical difficulties I didn't realize and will now add my last 4 posts in one large post...Thanks.

The weeks before Thanksgiving break.

Tasks:

- Become more knowledgeable with G-Code

- Machine Plastic Samples

- Prototype?

My goals here are simple. I have built enough of a foundation to start some of the visual prototyping of my design. I was able to work with a TA in the AFL lab and machine five different blocks that could work as a final product. My design was well thought out in CAD however, in real life, we all know that what looks good on paper doesn't necessarily mean it'll work in real life. So, I tried several different manipulations, machining stages, and came up with a couple blocks that do exactly what the police officer required.

Unfortunately during this time, I became quite sick and missed two of the lab meetings. I had an ear and throat infection that eventually led to nearly a week of doctor prescribed rest and quarantine from campus. My doctor said she had to be aggressive due to the campus wide out breaks of H1N1. After two weeks of antibiotics I finally began to feel better right around Thanksgiving.

Following Week:

Over the last weekend of break, I was finally able to create my best working design that limited the amount of cuts, drilling, and designed-mutilation of the UMDH. Hopefully I will be able to corporate this sample and the air sampler in the design review next week.

A group matter:

I was able to review my comments of what was said about me from my group and the grades given to me by the T.A. and I feel that an explanation could do some good. My communication with my group and attendance wasn't where it should have been to be considered a member of the group. I was a section leader in the marching band, and when group meetings are during normal hours, I'm at rehearsal, and when they are on the weekends, I'm either performing at a concert, or marching at a game. It was very difficult to be able to find times in which all team members could meet. I didn't even get to meet the one of the group members, yet she seemed to be approved to work in the lab! It seemed necessary for me to not be involved with the group testing chemicals in the lab, and that an individual endeavor would be more productive to the final outcome of the MSDA group. That's why I work on the air-sampler. As a result the group members never really got to meet who I really was and how I like to do things, this is definitely something that can/will change next semester.

Design Review:

Preparing for the design review was a little bit of a chore for me. I was able to meet with the group after they tested the sampler at the Prof's garage and a lot of good was done there. Unfortunately for me, it seemed as if the sampler design that existed was good and all fine and dandy, but wasn't really designed with the user in mind. We discussed that a proof of concept pump worked, and that the SLA created sampler should be reconfigured. It seems as if all my work trying to adapt the existing device might have been "wasted." Perhaps guidance isn't the best thing in the world, and that knowing when something is wrong, it takes going down the path to the end to realize that, yes, we should have turned around earlier because this wont work.

After a night of discussion, a proposal was made that the original CAD file of the design should be examined and altered. Bigger, and more ergonomically designed for the user, yet still able to fit on a belt for the officer. This will allow a higher rate of ease of use, and help the noise problem because of the added size to allow for a dampening solution, rubber pellets or something. This design will also incorporate a hex-head, screw valve for a direct connection to the Sorbent tube. (What I was trying to solve with the UMDH, eventually the final product will be machined out of the UMDH.) A little disappointing to come this far and turn around, however, it's what we should do.

After the review:

The biggest thing I learned all semester, and that was brought up by an engineer during the review, was that everything we do as engineers needs to have a reason and a place to start. Each process should be started all with the project partner in mind and that the design should evolve from specifications. Which is a damn good reason to take the sampler back to the drawing board and create a new one that works to what we need it to do. Many of the same technologies will be used, ie the pump, battery, circuitry, etc. however, the housing needs extreme modifications.