We did the preliminary analysis of the high altitude balloon test. The balloon flight path matches the University of Michigan’s predictor. However, we only searched the landing zone predicted by Cambridge University.
UCIRP Hybrid Engine Injector Plate Cold Flow Test
We finally finish the fabrication of injector plate. Cold flow test looks good
UCIRP High Altitude Balloon Test
We conducted the first major test on April 17th. We lost the communication with balloon thirty minutes after launch.
IOTOYS update
Last quarter we had some difficulties integrating our system on Unity. Toward the end, with some help from a fellow student in computer science, we were able to figure out a lot of the kinks within our code. We are still dealing with optimizing the code and are in the process of 3D printing our controller. What we decided on …
Apr 20, 2016 Another Taz Update
The heat bed! Since last time, we were able to fix the extruder, but we found that the heat bed was it’s own separate problem, temperature not getting past 68 Celsius. We decided to order new thermistors (the thermistors are used to monitor the change in temperature on the bed). We tested the bed with an infrared thermometer gun and …
Apr 18, 2016 Grind, melt, spool, repeat!
During Spring Break, the Filabot Spooler arrived which was one of the last key components that our team has been waiting on! Testing the spooler led to a few problems: 1. The guiding wheels had too much tension in between them which then caused the filament to be off center; 2. The slip-notch wheel was too loose and didn’t catch …
Week 2 and 3 – The balloons and wing frame update
For these past few weeks the structural team has begun to place the finishing touch on the design of the interior frame. The importance of these last two weeks was to optimize the structural integrity of frame such that it is as light as possible while also being as sturdy and as strong as possible. They have also begun to …
Apr 16, 2016 DIGGING our new shovel!
Currently we’re having trouble getting our recycled plastic pieces to automatically grind in our Filabot so we manually have to use a small, 3D printed trowel to push the recycled pieces into the grinder. Since the triangular shape isn’t ideal for pushing, the team assigned Aaron and I to model a tool that would resolve this issue. The first idea …
Apr 14, 2016 Update on Battery Design
New battery design is here! We have completed two boxes and we are working on the wiring for now. This updated design will provide more efficiency and easier access when connecting/disconnecting the batteries. We are looking forward to get all the wires hooked up and load them to our cart!
Apr 14, 2016 The Covington Community paid us a visit!
SPAM did its first speaking event this last Tuesday! The Covington Community was welcomed to UCI on a beautiful spring afternoon April 12th. The suns warmth beamed into the concrete as I lead them to the 3rd floor of the CAC building for our presentation and demonstration of 3D printing. After everyone was seated in the quiet presentation room Jesse …