Week 4

 

Progress - Week 4

Lab Day: 20/02/2025
(Last day!)

On this day, we made the most progress we had ever completed before and completed our project!



Progress:
  • We finally completed and printed the "Sensor Head" after many hours spent on the design, from paper to printing
  • We received our much needed nerf darts with the nerf blaster
  • We received the "base" box 
  • We got to work assembling the entire build
  • We began to test the entire system, from rotation to detection to firing
  • We optimised the build and found new problems and innovative solutions



3D Designs:
With all of our 3D design work complete, we were finally able to print off and receive the parts that we needed: the "Sensor Head" and a "Lid" to be attached together.


 
Additionally, we received our base box part, which is vital as it contains the "organs" (critical electronics) such as the arduino UNO R4 WIFI motherboard, electrical wiring, breadboard and power source (9V battery) for the projectile launcher. The rest of the system will be automatically regulated to 5V by the arduino, which is powered by a USB-C connection from our main laptop, which houses the radar UI and digital buttons.

We also planned to cut out certain areas for holes for the external button (launcher system), and USB-C power cable.



Assembling the build:
We got to work immediately to assemble all that we had together, which went much quicker than expected as we had prepared for the moment beforehand, ultimately resulting in this:


As we were 5 members, each person assembled different parts whilst working together. One member assembled the sensor into the sensor head (also seen above), another person assembled the internal wiring, combining the arduino motherboard, computer and sensor together and another 2 people assembled the motor gears and wheels together. 


We also:
  • Measured out and cut long wires for the DC geared motors, launcher button and battery
  • Measured, marked and cut out holes into the box lid and sides 
  • Tore apart our new nerf blaster for parts to help enhance our project
  • Used a solder (with adequate ventilation and following all safety procedures) to carefully melt some plastic to help with the cutting and hole-making
  • Soldered wires to the launcher button, 9V Battery, DC geared motors and more
  • Used hot glue to level and maintain the wheels onto the geared motors (especially important for structural integrity, safety and reliability)
  • Rigorously tested and optimised the software of the whole system whilst trying to make it work together as 1
  • Received our nerf darts and used them for testing our projectile launcher (within a safe and controlled environment)



















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