Week 7 Update

Here is a picture of the second solar panel we constructed at the machine shop from the dimensions of the first. put two coats of paint on the base and it really turned out nice. Prior to painting it we did all the measurements, drilling, and cutting so putting it together was not too difficult. The final design looks great and we should have the solar panels mounted on the rig within the week.

The LabView program has been a bit of a struggle but AJ is working out the last few kinks and should be up and running very soon. There was an issue going from Dr. Scoles Mac version of LabView to AJ's PC version of the program. Joab has the CREO designs just about finished. These turned out very good as well, looking exactly like what we built.

Our plan for the week is to have the solar panels mounted and get started on the electrical aspect of the project. Once we get plywood we can get started on that. We also have to draw up a layout of how to organize all the parts we need to get the network up and running.

-Ellis

Week 5 Update

Hello again!

           This has been a busy week for us, but we have made a lot of progress in building our solar panel.  We scheduled an appointment in the machine shop got to work in cutting the plywood needed for the base, as well as the metal pieces needed for the supports.  First, though, it was necessary to create a 3D model of the base on Creo 3.0.  The model of the base and wheels can be seen here.  

                       

            It's always necessary to create a model of an object before trying to put the object together.  With a model, you can make necessary corrections, add details, and adjust measurements all scaled to the actual object.  3D modeling is even more beneficial because the parts of the object are able to be viewed from every angle.  3D modeling in creo is also useful because each part can be made separately, and so even when many parts are put together in an assembly, each part can still be viewed and modified.

           Aside from the physical aspect of the panel, we have been working on our program in LabView that would enable us to measure the power output of the solar panel.  However, we are having trouble getting LabView to detect the solar panel system.  We have tried to test different cables to see if it could be a wiring issue, but so far we are stumped as to what could be blocking the signal.   There may be a missing driver that we will have to manually install.  We will continue working on this as well as begin creating procedures for a set of undergraduate labs.  That's all for this week!  We'll keep you posted on our progress, over and out!