University of Houston Capstone Team 6 - Blog 3

                                   University of Houston Capstone Team 6 - Blog 3

    During the work period of October 28 to November 11, Team 6 has completed Milestone 2 and is approximately 75% completed with Milestone 3. At the time the team was 50% completed with milestone 2 and were brainstorming different design solutions to present to SLB during their weekly meetings with final top pick designs. After finalizing the design solution with the client the team worked on the heat transfer calculations of the chamber and spring to determine the thickness of the desire insulation required to protect the load cell from the high heated temperatures.  To determine the stability and dimensions of the designed frame the team also performed solid mechanics calculations based on the expected loads. Finally, on November 11, 2023, the team finalized the CAD designs with the SLB to begin the next stages of prototyping spring compression testing devices. The team is currently working on task 3d to ensure the design device is within the client SLB budget.  

    From the work period of November 11 to November 25 the team expects analysis/simulation to be completed on the modeled device (FEA/thermal simulations) to finalize decisions on methods such as protecting the load cell from heat and ensuring the design of the frame does not incur any compliance which would cause the load cell to have inaccurate measurements. After the results are approved by both the team and the client, the team will move on to create a bill of materials (BOM) of the entire device to supply the client. This will begin the process of purchasing parts and machining stock for assembly by Thanksgiving (11/23) that will move into the next semester.

    In the upcoming two weeks, Team 6 anticipates encountering several challenges that could potentially impede progress in their mechanical engineering capstone project. One primary concern revolves around the availability of adequate funding for the prototyping phase. The team recognizes that if unforeseen issues arise during prototype testing, there may be a constrained budget to address and rectify these errors. To effectively navigate this financial limitation, the team is contemplating modifying the bill of materials for certain components. This strategic adjustment aims to reduce costs by eliminating unnecessary elements identified during the modeling phase.

    Another significant hurdle lies in the team's limited expertise in specific technical domains, particularly in coding and working with electronic components such as the thermocontroller. The intricacies of coding the prototype to accurately register the applied force on the system and illustrate the exponential growth in temperature within the samples pose noteworthy challenges. Coding tasks related to generating outputs like force overtime and force over spring compression are expected to be particularly intricate in the future stages of the project.

    To address these knowledge gaps, the team recognizes the importance of seeking additional expertise, possibly through collaboration or external consultation. This proactive approach aims to ensure that the team can overcome these technical challenges and achieve successful outcomes in their capstone project. Additionally, the team acknowledges the need for effective communication and collaboration to mitigate potential delays caused by the identified obstacles. By taking these strategic measures, Team 6 aims to enhance their project management and problem-solving capabilities, fostering a more resilient and adaptable approach to the anticipated challenges ahead.

Milestone 1: SLB Approved Scope (Completed)


                                               
                                                Figure 1: SLB Current Compression Setup



                                      Figure 2: Measurements from SLB Compression Setup

Milestone 2: Design Feasibility Evaluated (Completed)

Figure 3: Design of testing device phases from the beginning to the current period (left to right)

Milestone 3: 3D design analysis completed and submitted to SLB (Remaining)


                                             Figure 4: Thickness of insulation calculation procedures 

Details of simulation for device’s properties:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















































Location: 956 Teetshorn St, Houston, TX 77009, USA

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