This week was focused around working with Stefan and Archana to get the project ready for demo and making the slides for the final presentation. I worked with Stefan remotely to integrate the different systems and debug the hardware. I also made my share of the final presentation slides and met with the team to prepare for the presentation.
Harper’s Status Report for 4/24
This week was focused around integration. Because I was able to make a trip to Pittsburgh, I brought with me the materials I had assembled to get the load cell to work with calibrated readings. I then worked with Stefan to integrate that into the LCD and enclosure.
Updated Gantt Chart for Demo
Team status report 4/10
This week was focused around getting the demo ready for Wednesday. The shell was printed and tested with the buttons and LCD components. While the shell was designed around the PCB, it also fits an arduino uno which will be used for the purposes of the demo on Wednesday. The app is ready to integrate data from the scale but needs to incorporate the BTE connectivity. The appropriate hardware for that was ordered so that that work can begin. Lastly, the load cell interface is being worked on with an arduino uno substitute as well. While this doesn’t involve the MCU we originally designed around, using an arduino for all the components will make the seperate sub-system integration more seamless.
Harper Status Report 4/10
This week was focused around preparing for the demo coming up on Wednesday. I started on making an arduino based load cell interface to show how the data would be collected once it is plugged into the STM32. I also ordered nrf24l01s to connect to the arduino so that we can start creating the pseudo bte connectivity for the app. Next week will be focused around making sure the disjointed demo is ready.
Harper’s Status Report for 4/3
This week was focused around the new load cell. After proving that it worked last week, I adapted the CAD model of the scale to include a model I made of the load cell. I had to guess the thread size based on the screw and a through hole ruler I have but we’ll be able to test it by 3D printing the threads when another load cell arrives in Pittsburgh.
Team Status Report 3/27
This week the team made progress in researching a new load cell and using it with our amplifier. We also made progress with the firmware and ordered all the parts that won’t be assembled on the PCBs when they arrive.
Harper Status Report 3/27
Due to concerns from the design report about the load cell, I ordered a development board for our load cell amplifier and an espresso scale that measures 500g with a resolution of .01g to remove the load cell and test if we can use it for our purposes. I disassembled the scale and found that the load cell inside uses the same Wheatstone bridge connection we use for the load cell amplifier so it should work electrically. Next weeks goal is testing if it will work with our amplifier and an Arduino. If so, the CAD will be modified to use this load cell with our PCB once it comes in. The disassembly process is documented below.
Team Status Report for 3/20
This week the team focused on the design review report making sure to incorporate any details that would clarify the questions asked after our presentation. Next week we hope to make headway on the firmware and will continue to push forward on the firebase/app development.
Harper’s Report for 3/20
This week’s focus was mainly the design report and finalizing design documents so that they could be included in that. This includes finalizing the power consumption analysis and double checking how everything connects within itself. Since I didn’t get to start looking into firmware this week like planned, that will be a priority next week.