Day 1
5/5/17
First we officially assigned roles since Dila wasn’t here last period. Next, we had Mrs. Schworetzky orally test us on ROVs and their machinery. Since I became the Equipment Manager, I was given the job of managing and keeping track of all our tools + equipment. After the test we got oriented to all our electronics and borrowed a few example ROVs to test out. Doing so gave us a better understanding of how our ROV should control and how much buoyancy matters.
Day 2
5/8/17
Today we began experimenting with our soldering and wire cutting tools. After watching a couple of training videos, me and Sawyer began wire stripping (which proved to be more difficult than we thought) and soldering. Mrs. Schworetzky helped us out with the soldering part. After the bell rang, Mrs. S gave me the job of setting up and cleaning up the soldering supplies every day.
Day 3
5/10/17
More soldering! I got lots of soldering practice as I connected two wires, like, five times. That being said, I feel the need to mention that one of the soldering irons had oxidized, according to Mrs. Schworetzky, meaning it would need to be sanded down before it would work and that I should move to a different iron. Eventually though I got the hang of it and soon enough my practice wire was approved.
Day 4
5/12/17
After a little while, me and Sawyer were able to assemble the motors. It took a little while figuring out what to put where, especially how to get/open the locktite. That being said, we eventually managed to assemble everything and even spent a little time cutting pvc for everyone in the class. The next step will be to strip wires and solder.
Day 5
5/15/17
Sawyer wasn't here today, so I was pretty much on my own. I managed to label our motors, strip all the wires and cut/slide on the weatherstripping. Today was generally just a day of set up and preparation for the really important part: soldering.
Day 6
5/17/17
Now that Sawyer's back, we got down to the really nitty-gritty part: soldering. We ended up taking turns, each one of us would swap out and spend time soldering together the connections. Funnily enough, we both had multiple scares involving whether or not we made the right connections, but we quadruple-checked our work at the end and we ensured that everything was hooked up right. We only managed to solder three wires, so Sawyer is planning on going to tutorial to finish up.
Day 7
5/19/17
Since Sawyer went to tutorial to solder the last few connections, we were left with nothing but hot-gluing and weatherstripping. If I've ever learned anything, I've learned this: using the heat gun is a LOT of fun. Not much left to do, honestly. We gave the motors to Dila for attachment to the frame, and Maddie's off doing her own thing. As far as propulsion goes, me and Sawyer are done.
Day 8
5/22/17
Pretty much all of today was spent in the small pool testing out our ROV. I'll admit, things aren't perfect, but at least they sort of work! We identified two problems: firstly, our ROV doesn't ascend and descend perfectly vertically. Instead, it sort of spins around in a circle. If I had to compare it to something, I'd say it controls more like a tank than anything. Secondly, we're not certain of where to place our camera. Wherever we do, something is gonna get in the way. We're just gonna have to figure out what gets in the way the least.
Day 9
5/24/17
Pool time! Since Dila attached her pair of metal chopsticks outside of class, this was our first opportunity to really try to complete the tasks. We... weren't that successful. The oil cap kept sliding off and we couldn't get a good grip of the Schworoctopodes. That being said, we were pretty good at the obstacle course! At this point, who knows what's gonna happen. I just pray we get our act together by competition time.
Today we began experimenting with our soldering and wire cutting tools. After watching a couple of training videos, me and Sawyer began wire stripping (which proved to be more difficult than we thought) and soldering. Mrs. Schworetzky helped us out with the soldering part. After the bell rang, Mrs. S gave me the job of setting up and cleaning up the soldering supplies every day.
Day 3
5/10/17
More soldering! I got lots of soldering practice as I connected two wires, like, five times. That being said, I feel the need to mention that one of the soldering irons had oxidized, according to Mrs. Schworetzky, meaning it would need to be sanded down before it would work and that I should move to a different iron. Eventually though I got the hang of it and soon enough my practice wire was approved.
Day 4
5/12/17
After a little while, me and Sawyer were able to assemble the motors. It took a little while figuring out what to put where, especially how to get/open the locktite. That being said, we eventually managed to assemble everything and even spent a little time cutting pvc for everyone in the class. The next step will be to strip wires and solder.
Day 5
5/15/17
Sawyer wasn't here today, so I was pretty much on my own. I managed to label our motors, strip all the wires and cut/slide on the weatherstripping. Today was generally just a day of set up and preparation for the really important part: soldering.
Day 6
5/17/17
Now that Sawyer's back, we got down to the really nitty-gritty part: soldering. We ended up taking turns, each one of us would swap out and spend time soldering together the connections. Funnily enough, we both had multiple scares involving whether or not we made the right connections, but we quadruple-checked our work at the end and we ensured that everything was hooked up right. We only managed to solder three wires, so Sawyer is planning on going to tutorial to finish up.
Day 7
5/19/17
Since Sawyer went to tutorial to solder the last few connections, we were left with nothing but hot-gluing and weatherstripping. If I've ever learned anything, I've learned this: using the heat gun is a LOT of fun. Not much left to do, honestly. We gave the motors to Dila for attachment to the frame, and Maddie's off doing her own thing. As far as propulsion goes, me and Sawyer are done.
Day 8
5/22/17
Pretty much all of today was spent in the small pool testing out our ROV. I'll admit, things aren't perfect, but at least they sort of work! We identified two problems: firstly, our ROV doesn't ascend and descend perfectly vertically. Instead, it sort of spins around in a circle. If I had to compare it to something, I'd say it controls more like a tank than anything. Secondly, we're not certain of where to place our camera. Wherever we do, something is gonna get in the way. We're just gonna have to figure out what gets in the way the least.
Day 9
5/24/17
Pool time! Since Dila attached her pair of metal chopsticks outside of class, this was our first opportunity to really try to complete the tasks. We... weren't that successful. The oil cap kept sliding off and we couldn't get a good grip of the Schworoctopodes. That being said, we were pretty good at the obstacle course! At this point, who knows what's gonna happen. I just pray we get our act together by competition time.
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