Week 25 Progress (2017-4-26)

We are now waiting on Vander-Bend to look over our interlocking column blueprints so that they can be manufactured. They've given us an estimate of $115 for the sheet metal, for 0.119 inch thickness. Assuming fabrication time will still be three weeks, we might not have it ready for the Senior Project Presentations, but it should be ready for Maker Faire.

We have all made a bit more progress on the architectural models.

Claude has been working on his Palm Tree design, though he's run into complications due to the laser cutter for his acrylic. His original pattern was designed with the laser cutter in the mechatronics lab in mind, but it still isn't working. When he showed it to Kyle Meininger, he pointed out that it would not work with the laser cutter in the advanced engineering lab as the shared laser cutter line would drop the parts before they would be properly finished. As such he is currently remaking the pattern to be on two sheets so that the necessary spacing on the parts can be possible. On a more positive note, He has confirmed that the last batch of parts from Dr. Youssefi had the desired dimensions, and the last set of 3D printed parts are in production (three pairs of the small clamps and one cap) and will just need some blue tape to ensure a snug fit with the PVC pipe exterior.

Kathlyn has obtained foam pipe and attached it to her Cat's Eye design to make it more visually-appealing.

Winter took the wooden Cat's Eye model home to paint it all white. She also had Professor Youssefi 3D print a few pieces to explain how the guideway railing will attach to the column structure.