02 Aug Colorado School of Mines, Week 8
It is the end of week 8 my last week here at the Colorado School of Mines and we made one last prototype for the avionics for the IPEx Rover before I had to go home.
New sensors and protoboards for the rover
The Drum motors and the Drivetrain motors all connected together to the teensy and raspberry pi
This week’s big focus was on the CDR (Critical Design Review) Presentation that happened on Wednesday this week. On Monday and Tuesday I was working to finalize the slides and my part of the CDR Presentation and getting it ready to present. I updated and finished with the new Avionics Architecture and the Wiring Diagram. On Tuesday we also got the components we ordered last week which included the current sensors, voltage sensors, and the protoboards that we will use to connect all of the sensors and smaller components together in a neat and organized way. I also started the redesign for the avionics box and the new organization of the avionics inside the box because of the new components that we will be using. The stepper motors that are spinning the drums will be controlled in pairs and will only need 2 stepper drivers to control them. These steppers might also be controlled with much smaller stepper drivers that will free up a lot of space for the other sensors and avionics in the box. Along with the addition of the protoboards there will need to be new mounts to mount these to the inside of the avionics box.
Drawing of an idea for the new organization of the avionics
On Wednesday we had our CDR which was much longer than our PDR bing almost double the length. Overall the presentation went well and some issues that I was overlooking I was told about one of the biggest being an emergency stop button to stop the rover if anything went wrong. On Thursday my last day I spent making a transfer document to tell everyone about the work I did and where to find it. We finished the day with setting up the drum stepper motors connecting them to the teensy and coding them to work off of key on a keyboard connected to the raspberry pi. The rover’s name was also chosen this week and its name is Roxy.
Getting the plane ready for the cross-country flight
Outside of the lab this week I took my last flight in Denver doing a flight from Broomfield to Colorado Springs to Limon and then back. I also took my last few nighttime bike rides before I left. Finally I went to top golf after the CDR Presentation and had a great time after our long presentation. I was so glad to be a part of the RoSE lab and am so grateful for this opportunity I was given. I am exited to see where the project goes and what will happen to Roxy.
Rcketman Fan
Posted at 20:48h, 03 AugustWhat an incredible finish to an amazing 8 weeks! I am so proud of everything you accomplished at the Colorado School of Mines and the RoSE Lab. Getting Roxy’s motors up and running, nailing the CDR presentation, and designing the new avionics box is such impressive work.
Also, what a way to wrap up your time in Denver with that cross-country flight from Broomfield down to Colorado Springs and Limon! The lab was lucky to have you on the team this summer. I can’t wait to see where Roxy—and your next big adventure—goes from here. Welcome home!