This summer, my partner, Adhi, and I are working on the mechatronics for the 1/2 scale bogie. The mechatronics for the bogie involve using an arduino to control the two DC motors and two stepper motors. The DC motors are for moving along the track and the stepper motors are used to control the steering and switching mechanisms. The last team successfully built the 1/2 scale bogie and demonstrated it at Maker Faire. This summer, we have to improve the code and simplify the electronics.
For the first week, May 31-June 2, we read up on the last team's final report and future recommendations, and then we brainstormed improvements and additional requirements. Starting with the old code, we realized that switching hasn't been implemented yet. To steer the bogie onto its intended track in a timely manner, we thought about using Hall Effect Sensors. I started researching about Hall Effect Sensors and found an example online that detects a magnet and another one that reads the strength of a magnet. By detecting the magnet, we can send an interrupt to the arduino and initiate the stepper motors to steer the bogie.
However, the last year's team warned us about the arms of the steering not pressing limit switches on the bogie. The limit switches are there so the arms don't go too far and to check if the arms are properly engaged. Since the arms weren't always parallel to press the switch, the drive shaft used for one of the stepper motors continued turning, and eventually bent. Therefore, my partner and I decided we should add six more limit switches and code for the bogie to stop if the proper switches aren't pressed before switching.
Finally, my partner and I are researching motor driver ICs to replace some of the relays and H-bridges built by the previous team. This will decrease the size and wires of the electronics.
Next week, I will work on the code and testing the hall effect sensor more. In the near future, we will start testing the improved code with the motors, switches, and sensors.
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