Testing Procedures
Introduction- The final solution must be able to travel on sand dunes, moving up and down inclines and across soft, sandy surfaces. The final solution must also be able to retrieve objects from the land and water through utilization of a robotic arm/pulley system. It must also be able to navigate successfully through a body of water. Each component of the TOV (hull, arm, wheels, propeller, motors, control box) must be tested. The test will be administered by the Systems Engineering teacher, and will take place on a simulated sand dune/body of water (pictured below).
Testing stages- For my portion of the project, I must test the internal systems and mechanics of the TOV. This includes the motors, control box, propeller, control systems, and arm.
Motor/Control box test (Exploratory)-
1. Connect motor to power source and switch
2. Place motor inside hull and place hull in pool of water
3. Operate switch to determine performance of hull/motor when sumberged.
Motor/Control box test (Assessment)
1. Place all motors in proper location within hull
2. Connect power source and control box
3. Place lid on TOV
4. Operate each switch to assess the proper functioning of all components
Motor/Control box test (Validation)-
1. Connect power source to motors and control box
2. Check all conncetions to ensure proper circuit
3. Place lid on TOV hull to conceal and protect interior
4. Place device in water
5. Operate each switch individually to assess performance when submerged
6. Attempt to pilot the TOV using basic maneuvers in order to assess control and propulsion ability
Arm test (Exploratory)
1. Connect assembled arm to hinge
2. Place weight on the hook
3. Move arm up and down to test for load bearing capability
4. Submerge arm in water
5. Assess water resistance
Arm test (Assessment)
1. Connect arm motor to battery
2. Operate arm using control switch
3. Place weight on arm
4. Operate arm again using control switch, noting motor's behavior when weight is attached
5. Repeat previous steps with arm partially submerged
Arm test (Validation)
1. Connect arm to TOV hull
2. Connect motor to battery and control box
3. Place TOV in water
4. Operate arm using control switch
5. Add weight to arm and repeat step 4
Observational Checklist
1. All components are assembled and aligned properly
2. Power source is connected in proper circuit
3. Lid is placed securely with watertight seal (when appropriate)
4. Wheels and axels begin in default position
5. Hook and pully rope are kept in wound position until needed
6. Control box switches function properly and elict a response from proper mechanics
7. TOV is bouyant enough to float without lifting propeller from water
Arm test (Exploratory)
1. Connect assembled arm to hinge
2. Place weight on the hook
3. Move arm up and down to test for load bearing capability
4. Submerge arm in water
5. Assess water resistance
Arm test (Assessment)
1. Connect arm motor to battery
2. Operate arm using control switch
3. Place weight on arm
4. Operate arm again using control switch, noting motor's behavior when weight is attached
5. Repeat previous steps with arm partially submerged
Arm test (Validation)
1. Connect arm to TOV hull
2. Connect motor to battery and control box
3. Place TOV in water
4. Operate arm using control switch
5. Add weight to arm and repeat step 4
Observational Checklist
1. All components are assembled and aligned properly
2. Power source is connected in proper circuit
3. Lid is placed securely with watertight seal (when appropriate)
4. Wheels and axels begin in default position
5. Hook and pully rope are kept in wound position until needed
6. Control box switches function properly and elict a response from proper mechanics
7. TOV is bouyant enough to float without lifting propeller from water
