CAPSTONE BLOG #6: 2/17/24


    Throughout the work period of February 4 to February 17, the team has finished 3D printing and is currently waiting on fasteners and bolts. The ratchet system was printed and was able to fit properly into the t-slot extrusion after sanding down  and evening out some surfaces. Some fasteners have also been collected at local hardware stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's. The clamp has also been finalized and rotates as intended with the use of bearings. 

Figure 1: Ratchet System Slotted into Aluminum Extrusion


Figure 2: Assembled Rotational Clamp with Sleeve Bearing Carriage and 3D Prints


Figure 3: Assembled Sliding Handle Bar

     Currently, some specialized framing brackets and fasteners are currently being sorted out through the local vendor as there was a delay on their part. The team has placed (not paid for) the required order with the vendor, and are waiting for them to respond once they have acquired the items. The team's plan if the vendor does not receive the parts is to order through McMaster instead.


    By February 22nd, the team's plan is to finish receiving the remaining parts from McMaster and our local vendor. Once all materials are acquired, the team will then assemble the device by the end of that same week, February 24th.
   Afterward, the team will enter Milestone 5, which is validating and testing the prototype. The team has acquired 4 of the 5 different trash cans and will test with measurement tools from home and the UH Engineering Department. Milestone 5 (prototype validation) should not take more than a week, with an internal deadline of March 1st. After validation, adjustments to the device (the 3D-printed material or other components) will be made, which is the beginning of Milestone 6. The goal is to get through all of Milestone 5, and part of Milestone 6 (updating the device) by March 9th.


    One potential obstacle is continued delays from the local vendor. As stated previously, if the vendor continues to delay, the team will bite the bullet and order from McMaster instead.
    On the design side, the team foresees difficulties with having the proper cam size that will create the pre-determined knot. The cam allows the clamp to open and close. If the clamp angle created doesn't create the knot, then the cam will be reprinted to return a different clamp angle. We expect several prints to be made after validation for the knot to be created. 

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