Began work on ultrasonic sensor software, bidirectional stepper control, and ADC reading -Evan
Further testing of new mounting system for force sensing resistor. Cut a plastic square to push on the active area of the FSR. The readings were still inconsistent. -Spencer, Rohit
Monday, April 16, 2018Cut out a slightly smaller plastic square to push on the FSR (30 mm instead of 38 mm). More consistent readings, although still some variability due to creeping and imperfect repeatability, as expected from the datasheet. We may use a load cell if refilling is not consistent enough (Goal to refill the bottles 80-90% of their maximum capacity). Began building the main structure (rails, mounted the z axis stepper) -Spencer, Rohit
Wrote software for Z axis stepper. Having some issues with reversing the stepper. -Evan
Wednesday, April 18, 2018Greased the rails, hot glued the bottle rotation stepper, bottle holder, and the horizontal motion stepper. Bored a larger hole in the timing belt pulley to make it fit the stepper. There are problems with the rails bending when a full bottle is added. Brainstormed ideas to fix (could add a 3rd rail or a counterweight. Also could just move the capper motor out further so it aligns with the cap). -Spencer, Rohit
Thursday, April 19, 2018Started building a wooden bottle rotation stepper mount. This will replace the 3d printed plastic part. The new mount will have 4 holes (to be drilled) so it can slide on 4 rails, arranged in a rectangle. Drawing was made of the design, to be finished on April 20. The new mount will allow the stepper to be bolted on instead of hot glue and the 4 rail system will bend less. -Spencer
Motor driving, stepper driving, ultrasonic sensor, and ADC have all been tested and are functional. The LCD is the only major software controlled device to be programmed (SPI communication and a library for drawing pixels to the display). LCD programming to be continued tonight or tomorrow. -Evan