Breakthroughs
This section details some of the breakthroughs and discoveries we made during our audacious excursion through uncharted vertical plotting territory...
04.29.01
Objective: |
To complete this project.
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Results: |
No matter how much we manage to accomplish, there's always more we could implement!
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04.25.01
Objective: |
To allow the user to input points that can be plotted automatically.
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Results: |
When anything is left to the user, everything can go wrong.
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04.23.01
Objective: |
To build our own soldered, portable 8515 programmer.
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Results: |
Ignore STK200 documentation, and do not use any components (like diodes) that a CS major doesn't understand.
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04.20.01
Objective: |
To have the computer control both motors and draw a vertical line of fixed length.
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Results: |
Our design improves the users self-esteem by inexplicably inflating the input length by a factor of 50%.
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04.18.01
Objective: |
To finish soldering firing circuit for both stepper motors.
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Results: |
Solder has become a hot commodity around the 476 lab.
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04.16.01
Objective: |
To add second motor to plotter assembly and attempt manual plotting via pushbuttons.
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Results: |
Duct tape can fix anything.
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04.13.01
Objective: |
To lift the pen off the board using a push/pull solenoid.
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Results: |
Do not depend on Guardian Electronics to send you free samples of their products.
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04.11.01
Objective: |
1. To draw an arc by attaching the wire to one motor, and fixing the other end. 2. To attach the pen.
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Results: |
1. The motors do not have enough torque to only excite one coil at a time. Instead, excite two. 2. The dry erase markers fit perfectly through the center of the spool of fishing line.
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04.09.01
Objective: |
To get a stepper motor to turn a specific number of revolutions.
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Results: |
1. Our 7.5 degree motors require 48 ticks for one revolution. 2. The stepper motors become uncomfortably warm, but it is apparently "okay".
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04.06.01
Objective: |
To purchase needed hardware and supplies.
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Results: |
1. Sears does not carry curtain hangers. 2. Ames does not carry bookends.
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