Week 3

 

Progress - Week 3

Lab Day: 13/02/2025

In this week, we were mainly focussed on 3 things:

1. 3D Designs
2. Testing and improving software
3. Trying to find the correct nerf darts for our project

1 - 3D Designs:

Though nearly completed, we had a set back as we realised that the base of our project which we had worked on for the past 2 weeks (base + lid + connection design) and that we wanted to print that week was rejected, and we were told to order a box instead from a local supplier. So we ordered a box and were awaiting its arrival.

We also focussed on the design on the projectile launcher, in which we decided to use attach 2 DC geared motors in the sensor head, which would allow us to attach 2 plastic wheels and fire the nerf darts by spinning really quickly in opposing directions. As a result, it was necessary to calculate the right spaces to fit the geared motors with enough space for the nerf dart to be placed in-between. 

2 - Testing and Improving Software:

We also pressed on to improve the software for the entire system as much as we could. The entire software process was split into these categories:

1. Rotation of the servo motor: Mostly complete but we were awaiting the final 3D designs to start testing it under real-life circumstances, written in "Arduino code"
2. Sensor range finding, detection and targeting: The software for the sensor's main functions (all made using python):
• Range Finding = Being able to view and display simple images/symbols on the radar UI to show an object's distance from the sensor. This is displayed on the screen
• Detection = Being able to display the cross-section of an object(s) in the form of dots across the screen
• Targeting = Once the radar sensor has taken a full 180-degree scan of the given environment it is in, it will turn to and target the closest object first.

Problems and Solutions:

P - Due to our projectile launcher design (using DC geared motors), we couldn't program it. 

S - We decided to scrap the "Fire" digital button, and create a physical button using some long wires and a switch button that would, when held, act as a closed switch to allow current and power to flow from the power source (a 9V battery) directly to the geared motors, which would spin with a high rpm while stationary, allowing the user to manually input a nerf dart and allow it to be fired at a high velocity.

3 - Trying to find the correct nerf darts for our project:

After a long while of searching with the preferred suppliers (which they didn't sell any), and after finally finding a pack of suitable nerf darts (type = correct size and shape) which was with a potentially acceptable local supplier (Argos) but later delisted the next day when we tried to order it, we finally found an appropriate solution. We found a cheap nerf blaster which had 24 of the nerf darts we needed. It was the next best, cheapest and most convenient option (also being from Argos), and so we ordered it.