This week, Saline Sync not only had parts arrive to begin prototyping their model, but we are also traveling to Naples, FL to visit the Arthrex site!  

The team received the peristaltic pump and tubing required to test ideas for their proof of concept and understand how to control different components that are bought for the prototype. With the peristaltic pump, the team discovered that the motor has a higher “cold start” current and requires a higher current to start itself. After it has the current needed to start, it can draw normal amount of the current. We also discovered that we need a motor shield as the motor may need PWM to adjust its RPM. Yiwei taught members how to solder wires to the peristaltic pump in the IPPD lab, improving the team’s overall technical skillsets so we have multiple members ready to hop in and assist with the building of the prototype.  

The team is currently on their way to Naples, FL to meet with Arthrex to present our PDR tomorrow! We plan on practicing and making final adjustments tonight at the hotel. Arthrex also plans to give us a tour of the facility and host lab sessions with the team to give us a better understanding of how their products work!