Winter Break Update 1
I'm on winter break and you know what that means, project time!! I've got a bunch of projects that I'm working on this break. Here's a list of them and then I'll touch on each one.
So this project came about I took my mechantronics final. On the final there was a question regarding the task design for a reflow oven made from a toaster oven. The temperature profile would be sent to the control board via a serial connection. So as I was taking the test, I thought to myself, "Geee this would be a fun and useful project, I should do it." So I am. I took the tasks that I came up with on the test and made state machine diagrams for them in my notebook. I'm in the process of translating the diagrams into code. It would be a little easier if I had made the diagrams a little more complete but I can come up with transitions on the fly.
I'm using the SerTinyLogger board, I made back in the summer. Since the oven will be reaching temperatures higher than normal temperature sensors go, I'm using type-k thermocouples to sense the temperature. In order to read the thermocouples easily I'm using Kenneth's thermocouple board he sent me oven the summer. I finally bought the op-amp that I needed. If you combine that board and the SerTiny together then you get his SerialCouple board which would be perfect for this.
The code is almost finished. There is still A LOT of testing to do. Pretty much the only thing that I have working currently is that I am able to send packets of data between the computer and my board. Update: I have an LED that acts as the state of the on/off controller. Eventually I'd like to have a nice GUI that displays the profile and the ovens current temperature.
Small Hybrid Rocket Motor
Some of the research I have been involved with at Cal Poly has related to hybrid rockets. So I thought that it would be neat to make a small one that I could launch/do static tests. I did a little searching on the interwebs and found out that small motors are made. The pictures on the website gave me enough info to get started. I had seen some hardware store motors that were to big for flight and used oxygen for the oxidizer. I was wondering if there would be way to use nitrous oxide for the oxidizer. Turns out that's what the motors from the above link use. I had no idea but I guess N2O cartridges are sold for fancy whipped cream dispensers.
I made a prototype version of the nozzle out of aluminum. I found that I have to change the geometry a little bit in order to make machining easier. I picked up some crummy steel from my local metal yard that should clean up nicely. I still have to design the interface between the N2O cartridge and the combustion chamber. I'll probably pick up some CO2 cartridges to do some tests. I should have everything finished up later this week or early next.
RC Hovercraft
I'm slowly making progress on this. The hull is getting glued up. Then I need to figure out what motor I need for it.
Machining
Besides the parts for the rocket motor, I'm also making a myself and a friend of mine some triple clamps. He's going to use them for a scooter and I want to use them on a moped that I'm planning on building.
General Electronics
So since I built up a free PCB from Dangerous Prototypes, I got another pcb code. This time I got a XC9572XL CPLD development board. You can create your own custom logic chip with it. Now I have no clue what I'm going to use it for yet but it seems pretty cool.
My PCBs for SNES to USB adapter should be here any day now. I have all the parts so once those come in I can solder them up.
Well that pretty much sums up what I've been working on the last couple days. I'll be sure to post some more updates when progress has been made.
- Toaster Reflow Oven
- Small Hybrid Rocket Motor
- RC Hovercraft
- Machining
- General Electronics
So this project came about I took my mechantronics final. On the final there was a question regarding the task design for a reflow oven made from a toaster oven. The temperature profile would be sent to the control board via a serial connection. So as I was taking the test, I thought to myself, "Geee this would be a fun and useful project, I should do it." So I am. I took the tasks that I came up with on the test and made state machine diagrams for them in my notebook. I'm in the process of translating the diagrams into code. It would be a little easier if I had made the diagrams a little more complete but I can come up with transitions on the fly.
I'm using the SerTinyLogger board, I made back in the summer. Since the oven will be reaching temperatures higher than normal temperature sensors go, I'm using type-k thermocouples to sense the temperature. In order to read the thermocouples easily I'm using Kenneth's thermocouple board he sent me oven the summer. I finally bought the op-amp that I needed. If you combine that board and the SerTiny together then you get his SerialCouple board which would be perfect for this.
The code is almost finished. There is still A LOT of testing to do. Pretty much the only thing that I have working currently is that I am able to send packets of data between the computer and my board. Update: I have an LED that acts as the state of the on/off controller. Eventually I'd like to have a nice GUI that displays the profile and the ovens current temperature.
Small Hybrid Rocket Motor
Some of the research I have been involved with at Cal Poly has related to hybrid rockets. So I thought that it would be neat to make a small one that I could launch/do static tests. I did a little searching on the interwebs and found out that small motors are made. The pictures on the website gave me enough info to get started. I had seen some hardware store motors that were to big for flight and used oxygen for the oxidizer. I was wondering if there would be way to use nitrous oxide for the oxidizer. Turns out that's what the motors from the above link use. I had no idea but I guess N2O cartridges are sold for fancy whipped cream dispensers.
I made a prototype version of the nozzle out of aluminum. I found that I have to change the geometry a little bit in order to make machining easier. I picked up some crummy steel from my local metal yard that should clean up nicely. I still have to design the interface between the N2O cartridge and the combustion chamber. I'll probably pick up some CO2 cartridges to do some tests. I should have everything finished up later this week or early next.
RC Hovercraft
I'm slowly making progress on this. The hull is getting glued up. Then I need to figure out what motor I need for it.
Machining
Besides the parts for the rocket motor, I'm also making a myself and a friend of mine some triple clamps. He's going to use them for a scooter and I want to use them on a moped that I'm planning on building.
General Electronics
So since I built up a free PCB from Dangerous Prototypes, I got another pcb code. This time I got a XC9572XL CPLD development board. You can create your own custom logic chip with it. Now I have no clue what I'm going to use it for yet but it seems pretty cool.
My PCBs for SNES to USB adapter should be here any day now. I have all the parts so once those come in I can solder them up.
Well that pretty much sums up what I've been working on the last couple days. I'll be sure to post some more updates when progress has been made.
