Simple Update

     With the completion of the Full-Scale Model and the Lifting Gantry we can now move on to our own design project. Moving forward we will be finalizing our own model design with our main focus being to minimize drag while maximizing interior comfort. We will be running more aerodynamics test on both our own model, as well as the Swedish team's model. To go with this we will begin working on an interior design model for the cabin. In conjunction with this we will continue evaluating station securing mechanisms, and decide with which method is best. Then a design for the mechanism can be started. We are pushing into the final stages of the design portion, and should be well prepared for the next building portions.
     Future decisions to be made will involve material choices and how we plan to create our cabin for the 1/4th scale.

Full Scale Cabin Completion Walkthrough

When we first inherited the cabin project we already had the basic shape, and simply needed to complete the aesthetic portion of the design. We do not have any pictures of the cabin with the bondo for the moment. When we started our work we finished up placing bondo to fill all cracks, dents, and holes. From there we took both hand sanders and automatic sanders to smooth out the entire surface. After bondoing and resanding multiple times we were eventually satisfied with the cabin. We then used an automatic spray paint gun to give the entire cabin a semi-gloss white coating (Seen in picture below).




After the white paint dried and a few weeks later we began to use blue masking tape to sketch out the predetermined design. We also decided to keep the color scheme of green and gray.




























Once the shape of the lines was clean and precise we began to paint both the green and dark gray portions. Rather than using the spray gun we chose to use small paint rollers, so we could reduce the chance of the color getting onto the white sections.



We ended up doing two coats for the green paint and one coat for the gray because it was already so dark. The painting portion went incredibly well with no mishaps, in relation to getting color on the white paint. Once the paint dried we removed the blue masking tape and the plastic covering from the windows. Once the window covering was removed it looked even better than before because it added great color contrast to the white paint. The lines came out extremely sharp and well defined, although there was some paint bleeding under the tape. If we have the time or skill to clean up the lines we may make an attempt.

Before Caleb left back for France he designed a gantry that would allow us to lift the cabin. This would allow us to simulate how it would look when suspended in the air, as well as allow for us to finish up the bottom of the cabin. Caleb did all of the designing, as well as the cutting of the steel beams and plates. We then took the parts to campus where we were given help in welding the pieces together.



We finally got the pieces bolted together through the use of a forklift because the pieces are extremely heavy and stand at around 12ft tall. We then attahced the lift to the steel frame and it is now ready to lift the cabin. Getting the cabin safely suspended is our next task.







I hope we did the Swedish team and Caleb proud. Their designs and hard work came out looking great!

Presentation #2

Which Green?

 The color chosen will be the green color which will be used for the full-scale model.

Presentation #1

Mark's Proposal

Mark will be focusing on both the interior and exterior of the full-scale model. The main focus on the interior is to include wheelchair accessibility as well as bike accessibility. Adding bike hooks and foldable chairs is one design of the interior. Figure 1 shows an example of what the interior can look like. The folded chair will enable room for a wheelchair to sit safely and comfortably. Also, vents are added for the HVAC system. For the exterior, the current model will be used with minor adjustments. Figure 2 shows a redesign of the windows as well as an example of a station. The design also implements a sliding door that slides outwards.

Figure 1: Interior Design (Symmetrical on both sides; 4 seats total)

Figure 2: Exterior Design with guided rail systam

Rebecca's Proposal

Rebecca will be focusing on the design of the full-scale cabin, station, and safety features. The safety features would mainly focus for handicapped; with adding hooks and ramps. The ramp is there if the platform of the station and floor of the cabin are not leveled. The ramp would be in place of a step because for  wheelchair accessibility and passengers that can not step up or down. The ramp would also cover the gap between the station and cabin, which will prevent tripping accidents for the passengers. She would like to implement sliding doors because they would slide along the sides of the cabin. Having sliding doors is the better option because swinging doors would require space when opening, which could possibly hit a passenger if they are standing close to the entrance of the cabin.

Figure 1: Hooks for the wheelchairs

Figure 2: Cabin with sliding doors

Lucas' Proposal

     Lucas' main focus will be on the design and fabrication of a cabin securing mechanism for when the cabin is stopped at a station. The mechanism will be mounted to the ground at every station, and when a cabin arrives it will clamp onto it holding the cabin in place. This mechanism is important because it adds another layer of security to the loading and unloading process. For the time being the bogie brakes are the only thing securing the cabin. With this new mechanism the cabin will be held in place reducing sway and other movement during the loading/unloading period.

Cabin/Station Team Initial Project Proposal

Proposal:

The group would like to complete the full-scale cabin, done this summer, by sanding and painting it for demonstration purposes. The main focus for this group will be to design a cabin and station with mechanical securing mechanism for the cabin. We would also like to make some interior improvement to include wheelchair accessibility and safety features. Some safety features would include locking device for wheelchairs and seat belts, since the cabin is designed to go at fast speeds with curves and slopes. Then the creation of a full scale vertical cross-section design with interior view for a full-scale would further exemplify the interior and exterior together. The group would also design a platform that will mimic the station when a cabin is parked.

Team member task:

Mark has body work experience which will be used to finalize the look of the full-scale cabin, that was not completed this summer. He also has woodworking and carpentry skills to work on the 1/2 full-scale. He will be helping with the interior improvements of the cabin.

Rebecca will be the taking charge of documentations and the integration portion for the cabin and the station. Adding safety features to the cabin will also be part of her task. She also has carpentry and metalworking skills to apply to the cabin and station modeling.

Lucas will be team leader for this part of the project. As team leader he will be making sure that the group stays on track with completing schedule goals. He will focus on the station part of the project. When needed he will use his skills in Solidworks and Creo to make drawings.

Sketches/drawings:

Figure 1: Wheelchair hooks

Figure 2: Wheelchair ramp for cabin

Figure 3:  Cabin with sliding doors

Figure 4: interior design (symmetrical on both sides of the cabin; 4 seats total)

Figure 5: exterior design with guided rail system

Figure 6: Rail Clams

Tentative schedule:

Fall semester:

• Finish full-scale cabin (from summer project)
• Brainstorming
• Sketches
• Digital drawing (Solidworks, Creo, and AutoCAD) with stress analysis as needed

Break

• Start 1/2 full-scale model of cabin

Spring semester:

• Finish 1/2 full-scale model of cabin
• Write report on this portion of the project
• Final calculations

Budget: (Complete estimate $300)

Full-scale model:

• sandpaper -5in disk (pack of 7) - $7.97)
• paint (TBA based on the quality and type)

1/2 full-scale model:

• 2inx4in wood (96in long $2.97)
• bendable plywood (per sheet 13.97)
• chicken wire (1 in. x 2 x 25 ft. $12.98)
• expansion foam (TAP X-30 polyurethane foam 1-qt $29.95)
• bondo (1 gallon $24.97)
• seats (TBA)
• paint (TBA)

Team members and Scope of Project

Team members:

Mark Acoba

Rebecca Alvarez

Lucas Petersen (Team leader)

Scope for team:

    This team’s goal is to work on a design for the cabin and station with mechanical securing mechanism.The team will focus first on the finishing work of the summer Swedish team full-scale cabin. We will then proceed to making a cabin that shows an aesthetically pleasing interior and exterior views in one model. The model will include new safety features and needs for the riders. And simultaneously building a station with mechanical securing mechanism for when a cabin is present and a platform if needed.