What are the most significant risks that could jeopardize the success of the project? How are these risks being managed? What contingency plans are ready?
The most significant risks to the success of our project will be integrating all of the components and ensuring that they can communicate over wifi. The most integral component of our project is the user being able to connect to the braille printer with their phone, so it is important that we ensure the communication between each component runs smoothly. We are thinking about managing the risks of communication between components and communication on wifi by possibly using a WIFI sd card and sending the g-code instructions wireless through this way. We are also considering using a wifi adapter for ramps boards. If this doesn’t work we may consider having the user plug their phone into the braille embosser.
Another risk is the power management of the solenoids and ensuring that they don’t generate too current. We are managing this risk by including flyback diodes for each solenoid and separating the control of the solenoids (arduino) from the power source of the solenoids.
Were any changes made to the existing design of the system (requirements, block diagram, system spec, etc)? Why was this change necessary, what costs does the change incur, and how will these costs be mitigated going forward?
Provide an updated schedule if changes have occurred.
During the design proposal, we presented a 6 solenoid system. After doing more research on the solenoid mechanism and the mechanism of our braille printer, we decided that a 3 solenoid system would work better under the constraints without compromising timing requirements. This however, does not alter the design and will lower the cost. It also will not impact the schedule.