This week our team continued advancing the project through electrical testing, manufacturing planning, and coordination with partner teams. These efforts are helping us transition from early prototyping toward more refined and durable hardware.
On the electrical side, we continued testing our circuit and successfully received the first batch of PCBs. Having the physical boards in hand allows us to begin the next stage of development, which includes assembling the components and validating the circuit in its finalized layout rather than on a breadboard. This step is important for confirming reliability and performance as the system becomes more integrated.
The mechanical team explored improved manufacturing options for the enclosure. We met with the lab manager to discuss the possibility of using the CNC machine. This led us to adapt the enclosure design so it can be more easily produced using this process. CNC machining may allow us to create a stronger and more durable prototype compared to previous iterations, which will be beneficial for long-term deployment.
We also took steps to gather structured feedback from stakeholders. A survey was completed and sent to our liaisons so they can evaluate the prototype enclosure and provide input on factors such as size, usability, and attachment style. Their feedback will play an important role in guiding future mechanical refinements.
Collaboration with other teams also continued this week. We met with Team 6 to better understand their hardware timeline and ensure that our communication systems will integrate smoothly with their platform. Aligning progress between teams is essential for successful system-level testing.
Next week we will focus on reviewing the feedback from the enclosure survey and mechanical prototypes to identify any necessary design improvements. On the electrical side, we plan to begin soldering components onto the PCB and continue circuit testing. The team will also work on improving the communication protocol and actuator code to ensure reliable system performance. Additionally, we will continue researching CNC manufacturing methods to develop a stronger and more refined enclosure prototype.
Overall, the project continues to move forward steadily as we refine our hardware, gather stakeholder feedback, and strengthen integration with partner teams.
Electrical circuit for the prototype.