Final Project: test 1-2 critical elements

We decided to go with opening a curtain with two wheels that drive along a curtain rod. 
Our critical elements were testing the light sensors and getting readings and then to build the frame of the vehicle. We used legos to build our initial frame. We built two walls and placed the wheels in between them. We started off with the pico motor and a gear train but then realized that the NXT motor would be much easier since we wouldn't have to adjust the speed or torque. 

 

We created a rounded (or stepped with the legos) base to hold the rod. The two wheels drive over the rod, the friction allowing them to grip and drive across the rod. The motor is only on one wheel, the other wheel does not have a motor attached to it but it allows the for better balance. This is just the basic skeleton, so when we build the works-like model we will have a better look. We created 'cradle' to hold the broom handle/ rod rather than a rectangular box. We thought that this would hold the rod better. Also we have the wheels over the rod since that we know for sure there will be contact between the wheels and the rod. The only problem is balance. The motor on the side makes the vehicle roll over. We have the device flipped over and the command board is on the top - we were afraid to go this at first since we thought that gravity would pull the wheels down and they wouldn't touch the rod. Before creating out final lego form, we thought about what our final delrin design would look like. It would be a delrin box with a divider between the motor and the wheels and another compartment for the board. We are going to try to curve delrin around the rod so it doesn't move around. 

The we tested the light sensors. It was cloudy so we got readings for cloudy light. We will test it again in the sun light. We also got sensor readings for ambient indoor light and the florescent lamp- these are the number we will likely use in our program.