This week marked an important milestone for the team as we successfully completed our first PCB prototype. After receiving the boards, we soldered all of the electrical components onto the PCB and verified that the device code ran correctly on the new hardware. This step represents a major transition from early breadboard testing to a more stable and integrated system design. Ensuring the code worked properly on the PCB gave us confidence that the circuit layout and component selection are functioning as intended.

Building on this progress, the electrical team also began developing the second iteration of the PCB. This updated design will support improved actuators and provide greater flexibility for future testing and refinement. On the mechanical side, the team continued investigating CNC manufacturing as a potential method for producing the enclosure. Exploring CNC machining allows us to evaluate options for creating a stronger and more durable housing compared to earlier prototype methods. We also made improvements to the device’s code to ensure more reliable system performance.

Over spring break, the team plans to focus on preparing the Final Design Report. This will involve documenting the progress we have made so far and clearly outlining the final system design and testing results. In addition, we will continue working on the communication protocol to improve the reliability and performance of device communication.

Overall, the completion of the first PCB prototype represents a significant step forward for the project, and we are excited to continue refining the system as we move toward the final stages of development.

The team hard at work.

Emilio hard at work on the second PCB.

Matt Brown hard at work.

Tyler hard at work.