New Slideshows/Photos
Posted on February 9, 2008
Two new slideshows have gone up for the solar boat project. The first is gives an overview of the nearly completed console and the other is the progress on pontoon models that we plan to test.
Console
The console has come together quite well. The only remaining steps include final coats of paint, interior fiberglass and buffing to a beautiful glossy finish. See the models here Console .Pontoons
The 1:12 pontoon models we are making are going to be hydrodynamically tested to see which one preforms the best before we pick and build a design. So far we have created all the desired designs in a 3D modeler Solid Edge and transported them into a program called MasterCam. With MasterCam we can output a script that will run the CNC machine and mill our models. See the models here Pontoon Models .
I will do my best to keep this all up to date.
Portfolio Progress
Posted on January 18, 2008
My hope is to make this site an easy way to explore some of the work I have done throughout my college career. One of the goals is to have at least a couple samples from each course, and progress is coming. I have uploaded some of the materials for the portfolio section of my website and everything is working so far. As I scan and
collect some older work I will continually update the site. Over the semester I hope to develop the website further with a more
in depth project section and a gallery page for some images.
Another section that has been improving is the projects section. I now have a full describtion from start to finish of the eBoat 1.0 project with pictures, design details, and comments on what worked and what didn't. Check it out here.
I also have my newly revised resume uploaded -feel free to explore.
A New Year: eBoat 2.0, 3+2, RA
Posted on January 07, 2008
This new year is going to be a fast paced one. Club FEAST will be completing the eBoat in time for Solar Splash which includes building the hull, completing the console, and a new motor rigging. I will also be applying to Penn State with the 3+2 program ( 3 years at Elizabethtown College and 2 years at Penn State, getting two degrees), a program I have been considering for the last year and a good opportunity if everything works out. Lastly, I'm going to become a RA in Brinser 3rd floor. A long line of transitions that I hope prove to be fun.
So here's to a good new year. Good Luck All and Cheers.
A Console Story
Posted on December 21, 2007
As construction progresses on eBoat 2.0 some projects are beginning to come together. I decided that the console project and the construction method we mostly made up was worthy of a posting. The console serves as the control center of the solar boat. The pilot, seated at the console, will be able to monitor motor readings (voltages, currents, battery life, ect.), control the speed and direction of the boat, and control (most importantly) the music from the marine grade stereo system.
Project: Robotic Arm
Posted on December 20, 2007
Mike Patrick and I have been working together for 2 years now with the solar boat. As that project matures and comes into it's own we have been getting more interested in developing something new. One of the ideas we have been bouncing around is the design, construction and programing of our very own robotic arm. The project would allow us to use our individual skills: Mike's being computer programming and anything electrical and mine in mechanical engineering.
Some of the technology we anticipate using:
I am currently developing a project page for the robo-arm project, I'll keep you up to date.CNC machine – Something that makes our project different from most robotic arm projects is that we plan to make every structural piece custom made on the engineering department's CNC machine. Over the summer while working with Professor McBride I was lucky enough to become very familiar with this great machine and Mastercam (CNC machine programming software).
Solid EDGE – I am also excited about enhancing my skills with the 3-D modeling software Solid EDGE with dynamic designer. In one of my most challenging classes to date, Dynamics, we were required to use dynamic designer in a series of group projects to analyze different systems. So I'm pretty excited to use these skills.