Testing Arm Movement

Testing Arm Movement

Date: 4.21.17
Location: Logan HS
Time: 2 hours
Goal: Our goal was to fabricate a mount for the warning light that will be placed at the top of the linear rail to indicate when the machine is in operation and test the arm on the linear rail.

The entire arm had to be disassembled to tighten up the gas spring bolts and replace lock washers. The spring assembly creates a lot of force on the frame which caused the nuts to loosen. Nothing fell apart, but we tightened the nuts down more. This take about an hour to disassemble and reassemble.

We also made a mount for the warning light at the top of the linear rail out of aluminum plate.

The big test was the movement of the arm when attached to the linear rail. We found the farther we extend the arm, the more force it takes to move it on the rail. When we bend the arm back toward the rail so its center mass is close to it, the assemble moves easily up and down. Also we noticed some of the small bearings that attach the mount to the arm on the linear rail came out.  We are not sure why, it could have been a burr on the linear rail when we cut it, or just the wear and tear from the arm moving up and down. We were able to put the bearings back in, but we will have to watch to see how this progresses.

We are pleased with the movement of the arm while attached to the rail system. We feel we have the spring tension very close to what we want. Movement is smooth and it does take the load of the grinder off the operator and transfer it to the arm and rail system. If you check out the video below, you will see how it moves.

Now we begin working on the base and wiring the system electronics.

Mount for light.

Mount temporarily attached to the linear rail.

Video of arm movement.