Can Launching Fridge - Revision history

DerekSiegal: /* Electrical Design */

2010-03-19T17:02:53Z

Electrical Design

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:02, 19 March 2010
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	Due to the high current demands of running several motors and solenoids concurrently, a robust power supply was needed to run the electrical system. Even the bench top laboratory power supplies in the mechatronics lab were unable to fully power the largest solenoid in the project. The solution was to use a power supply taken from a laptop computer and modify it for use as a general DC power source. This method was ideal for two reasons: first, these power supplies are capable of sourcing very large currents at both five and twelve volts, and second, they are physically small enough to be attached to the designs, allowing the unit to function off of purely 120 volt AC power. For the specific procedure used to modify this power supply, see wiring a desktop power supply.		Due to the high current demands of running several motors and solenoids concurrently, a robust power supply was needed to run the electrical system. Even the bench top laboratory power supplies in the mechatronics lab were unable to fully power the largest solenoid in the project. The solution was to use a power supply taken from a laptop computer and modify it for use as a general DC power source. This method was ideal for two reasons: first, these power supplies are capable of sourcing very large currents at both five and twelve volts, and second, they are physically small enough to be attached to the designs, allowing the unit to function off of purely 120 volt AC power. For the specific procedure used to modify this power supply, see wiring a desktop power supply.

			=== Wiring a desktop power supply ===

			The information involving wiring your own power supply can be seen at this website:

			http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/powersupply.htm

	===Parts List===		===Parts List===

DerekSiegal at 02:59, 19 March 2010

2010-03-19T02:59:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:59, 18 March 2010
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	Finally, we did in fact have some troubles with the PIC32 used for the project, burning out two of our three during testing. However, both of these were due to attaching inappropriate power to the board rather than any fault of the board’s design. The first occurred when a faulty power supply was connected to the board – it had been covered by another power supply so we didn’t see the warning written on the top. Similarly, the second was damaged when a miscommunication caused one the logic supply leads to be connected to the twelve volt motor supply instead. The only other problem we ran into was the board’s sensitivity to any noise on the logic supply voltage, though that may be common to all microcontrollers. Even before the noise caused the board to restart, it was causing unexpected errors in ADC function. With that in mind however, the board was reliable and accessible.		Finally, we did in fact have some troubles with the PIC32 used for the project, burning out two of our three during testing. However, both of these were due to attaching inappropriate power to the board rather than any fault of the board’s design. The first occurred when a faulty power supply was connected to the board – it had been covered by another power supply so we didn’t see the warning written on the top. Similarly, the second was damaged when a miscommunication caused one the logic supply leads to be connected to the twelve volt motor supply instead. The only other problem we ran into was the board’s sensitivity to any noise on the logic supply voltage, though that may be common to all microcontrollers. Even before the noise caused the board to restart, it was causing unexpected errors in ADC function. With that in mind however, the board was reliable and accessible.

			= Video Demonstration=

			The following video demonstrates the launching aspect of the fridge. The video shows the trigger plate moving forward, locking into the launching plate, moving backwards to a specified spot, and then lifting up to the desired firing angle.

			link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2ejxXBUAxE

DerekSiegal: /* Launcher Assembly */

2010-03-19T00:33:32Z

Launcher Assembly

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 18 March 2010
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	[[Image:27_Belt.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|Stepper motor is attached to a timing belt drive that pulls back the launching plate.\|right]]		[[Image:27_Belt.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|Stepper motor is attached to a timing belt drive that pulls back the launching plate.\|right]]

	The launcher assembly is built around a polyethylene front plate connected by four steel guide rods to a box in the rear that serves as a motor mount and housing for a timing belt drive. This motor, in our case a ~~INSERT MOTOR SPECIFICS~~ stepper motor was used to turn two lead screws that run parallel and outside of the guide rods. A steel carriage plate is threaded onto these lead screws to create a linear drive capable of running the length of the assembly. In order to get smooth and reliable motion from the lead-screw drive, the alignment of the carriage had to be adjustable and the rotation had to be unimpeded. This was accomplished by machining aluminum couplers that were 3/8” - 16 threaded female on one end and exposed 1/4” rod on the other to insert into bearings. This allowed for the threaded rods to be threaded into or out of the couplers for alignment purposes, while still maintaining a constant available length. Under this was suspended half of a PVC pipe that supports the can to be launched. Finally, a launch plate is mounted on the guide rods such that it can slide freely over the pipe and these rods in the direction of launch. In action, the carriage brings forward a trigger which locks onto the rear of the launch plate. Having done so, it retracts a preset distance to store energy in the springs, and finally releases the trigger to launch the can.		The launcher assembly is built around a polyethylene front plate connected by four steel guide rods to a box in the rear that serves as a motor mount and housing for a timing belt drive. This motor, in our case a stepper motor was used to turn two lead screws that run parallel and outside of the guide rods. A steel carriage plate is threaded onto these lead screws to create a linear drive capable of running the length of the assembly. In order to get smooth and reliable motion from the lead-screw drive, the alignment of the carriage had to be adjustable and the rotation had to be unimpeded. This was accomplished by machining aluminum couplers that were 3/8” - 16 threaded female on one end and exposed 1/4” rod on the other to insert into bearings. This allowed for the threaded rods to be threaded into or out of the couplers for alignment purposes, while still maintaining a constant available length. Under this was suspended half of a PVC pipe that supports the can to be launched. Finally, a launch plate is mounted on the guide rods such that it can slide freely over the pipe and these rods in the direction of launch. In action, the carriage brings forward a trigger which locks onto the rear of the launch plate. Having done so, it retracts a preset distance to store energy in the springs, and finally releases the trigger to launch the can.
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	=== Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can===		=== Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can===

DerekSiegal: /* Parts List */

2010-03-19T00:33:21Z

Parts List

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 18 March 2010
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	1x Lubricated corrosion resistance galvanized turntable, galvanized 6.06” square – part no. 1544T1, $5.42 from McMaster Carr		1x Lubricated corrosion resistance galvanized turntable, galvanized 6.06” square – part no. 1544T1, $5.42 from McMaster Carr

	2x Pacific Scientific PowerMax II ~~INSERT MOTOR SPECIFICS~~ stepper motors - $30.00 from ebay.com		2x Pacific Scientific PowerMax II stepper motors - $30.00 from ebay.com

	1x generic DC motor w/ gearbox and 1/4" output shaft		1x generic DC motor w/ gearbox and 1/4" output shaft

DerekSiegal: /* Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can */

2010-03-17T01:15:27Z

Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:15, 16 March 2010
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	=== Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can===		=== Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can===

	[[Image:27_Trigger.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|Plate is triggered with a solenoid.\|right]]		[[Image:27_Trigger.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|Plate is triggered with a solenoid.\|right]]
⚫	<br clear=all>
	The triggering method adopts a similar method that is used in archery. The trigger plate is moved forward until it latches into the launching plate by simply pressing into it. This is done with a fence-like latch that can be found on most backyard fences. The trigger plate then is pulled back by the motor to the desired position. When the fridge has been correctly aimed and cocked, a single solenoid pulls up on a string, opening the latch, and releasing the launch plate.		The triggering method adopts a similar method that is used in archery. The trigger plate is moved forward until it latches into the launching plate by simply pressing into it. This is done with a fence-like latch that can be found on most backyard fences. The trigger plate then is pulled back by the motor to the desired position. When the fridge has been correctly aimed and cocked, a single solenoid pulls up on a string, opening the latch, and releasing the launch plate.

		⚫	<br clear=all>

	=== Controlling the Launch Angle ===		=== Controlling the Launch Angle ===

DerekSiegal: /* Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can */

2010-03-17T01:15:11Z

Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:15, 16 March 2010
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	=== Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can===		=== Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can===
	[[Image:27_Trigger.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|Plate is triggered with a solenoid.\|right]]		[[Image:27_Trigger.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|Plate is triggered with a solenoid.\|right]]
⚫	The triggering method adopts a similar method that is used in archery. The trigger plate is moved forward until it latches into the launching plate by simply pressing into it. This is done with a fence-like latch that can be found on most backyard fences. The trigger plate then is pulled back by the motor to the desired position. When the fridge has been correctly aimed and cocked, a single solenoid pulls up on a string, opening the latch, and releasing the launch plate.
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>
		⚫	The triggering method adopts a similar method that is used in archery. The trigger plate is moved forward until it latches into the launching plate by simply pressing into it. This is done with a fence-like latch that can be found on most backyard fences. The trigger plate then is pulled back by the motor to the desired position. When the fridge has been correctly aimed and cocked, a single solenoid pulls up on a string, opening the latch, and releasing the launch plate.

	=== Controlling the Launch Angle ===		=== Controlling the Launch Angle ===

DerekSiegal: /* Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can */

2010-03-17T01:14:51Z

Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:14, 16 March 2010
Line 23:		Line 23:
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>
	=== Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can===		=== Triggering the Launch Plate/Firing the Can===

	[[Image:27_Trigger.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|Plate is triggered with a solenoid.\|right]]		[[Image:27_Trigger.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|Plate is triggered with a solenoid.\|right]]
			The triggering method adopts a similar method that is used in archery. The trigger plate is moved forward until it latches into the launching plate by simply pressing into it. This is done with a fence-like latch that can be found on most backyard fences. The trigger plate then is pulled back by the motor to the desired position. When the fridge has been correctly aimed and cocked, a single solenoid pulls up on a string, opening the latch, and releasing the launch plate.
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	=== Controlling the Launch Angle ===		=== Controlling the Launch Angle ===

DerekSiegal: /* Circuit Design */

2010-03-17T01:11:03Z

Circuit Design

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:11, 16 March 2010
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	[[Image:27_Circuit_Diagram.jpg\|thumb\|600px\|The entire circuit diagram.\|center]]		[[Image:27_Circuit_Diagram.jpg\|thumb\|600px\|The entire circuit diagram.\|center]]

	If the above picture of the circuit diagram is too blurry, and a closer inspection is required, download the schematic file (in PCB artist) by clicking [[Media:~~Final Circuit~~.~~sch~~\|HERE]].		If the above picture of the circuit diagram is too blurry, and a closer inspection is required, download the schematic file (in PCB artist) by clicking [[Media:Final_Circuit.zip\|HERE]].
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DerekSiegal: /* Circuit Design */

2010-03-17T01:09:34Z

Circuit Design

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:09, 16 March 2010
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	[[Image:27_Circuit_Diagram.jpg\|thumb\|600px\|The entire circuit diagram.\|center]]		[[Image:27_Circuit_Diagram.jpg\|thumb\|600px\|The entire circuit diagram.\|center]]

			If the above picture of the circuit diagram is too blurry, and a closer inspection is required, download the schematic file (in PCB artist) by clicking [[Media:Final Circuit.sch\|HERE]].
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

DerekSiegal: /* Circuit Design */

2010-03-17T01:07:31Z

Circuit Design

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:07, 16 March 2010
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	= Circuit Design =		= Circuit Design =
	[[Image:27_Circuit.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|The actual circuit, made on a solderless breadboard.\|right]]		[[Image:27_Circuit.jpg\|thumb\|150px\|The actual circuit, made on a solderless breadboard.\|right]]
	[[Image:~~27_CircuitDiagram~~.~~pdf~~\|thumb\|600px\|The entire circuit diagram.\|center]]		[[Image:27_Circuit_Diagram.jpg\|thumb\|600px\|The entire circuit diagram.\|center]]

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