Introduction
The ROV is expected to be able to transport objects, determine temperature and sound readings, and manipulating seals and locks. It will operate in a clear, lit pool and must be able to submerge to four meters in depth. The manipulator is expected to be able to pick up, carry, and relocate objects within the pool, while not impeding the motion of the ROV. The ROV must be able to operate in fresh, chlorinated water; therefore it must be sealed in order to be waterproof. The manipulator must create as little friction in the water as possible; it must also be confined to one power source. If using hydraulic or pneumatic it must come from the MATE power supply. The manipulator must also be able to open to four inches and complete all assigned competition tasks. Four systems in total will be tested. We will need to test the hull, electrical system, the manipulator, and the ROV as a whole. The people involved in testing will be myself, Ryan van Doorn, Sean Coppinger, and possibly our mentors if they are available. We have three possible locations for testing to be conducted. They are the systems lab at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, the Coppinger’s pool, or the van Doorn’s pool. We can do any dry testing at MAST systems lab, while if we need a pool we can test at MAST or at one of the previously described pools. The atmosphere will remain serious in order to ensure the accuracy of the tests.
Expectations
The ROV is expected to be able to perform basic functions and be able to do certain things in a certain environment. The ROV is expected to be able to operate in fresh, chlorinated water and be able to submerge to a depth of at least 4 meters. The ROV must also create as little friction as possible. The manipulator must also be able to pick up and relocate items within the competition pool. The ROV must be powered via an electric motor, hydraulic power, or pneumatic power. The manipulator must also be able to relocate items in the pool without damaging itself in the process. The manipulator also needs to be able to open up to at least 4 inches wide.
Exploratory
Exploratory testing is conducted in the beginning of the development process. It is used to explore the potential of possible design ideas. It answers questions about functionality, user preference, and requirements. It involves determining the needs of the users and evaluating the basic designs. At this point I was brainstorming possible alternate solutions for the manipulator. I chose the three different alternate solutions, the vertical, the horizontal, and the modified horizontal systems. I also explored different options for materials, such as plastic, pvc, wood, and metal. I also explored different systems of powering the manipulator, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, and an electric motor.
Assessment
Assessment testing is the next level of design testing. It aims to test the appropriateness of a few different preferred solutions. Through this testing you are looking to assess finer design concepts of your solutions. For this stage of testing you are insuring that the concept is usable, that it fits the user needs, can the solutions be improved, and is it able to complete the intended tasks. This stage of testing involved further scrutinizing my three solutions, where I looked over the pros and cons of each. This involved creating a design matrix so I could assess how effective the different solutions were, based on the specifications.
Validation
Validation tests are conducted at the end of the design process to ensure that all of the design goals have been met. These tests aim to assess functionality and performance, as you would want for the final product. Full tests are completed and not just walkthroughs. The test item should as nearly represent the final product as possible to ensure the most accurate tests. These tests are the actual tests where you would validate the functionality of your actual design. For the claw these include, testing that it can successfully pick up and relocate items within the pool or testing to see if the claw can open to 4 inches. These tests ensure that your final design meets all of the specifications.
Comparative
Comparative tests can be used at different points in the design process. They are used to compare one viable solution with another. It is used to determine preference and superiority of different items. Comparative testing helps the user to choose one solution from a group of solutions. Specifically for my part of the project this included the design matrix with my three alternate solutions. I used my specifications like bench marks and evaluated each solution on a scale of one to ten. This allowed me to directly analyze the strong and weak points of each of the three alternate solutions and assign point values.
Testing Procedures
1. Put the ROV in a test pool, whether it is at school or at Ryan or Sean’s pools.
2. Test the basic functions of the ROV to make sure it works as one system.
3. Test each individual element of the ROV
4. Sean Coppinger tests the hull and propulsion. He makes sure the ROV can navigate the test area simply and safely.
5. Ryan van Doorn tests the electrical system to make sure it is effectively powering the ROV. He makes sure all the leads are sealed properly and that they don’t obstruct the ROV’s motion.
6. Ryan Topal tests the claw to make sure it can pick up, move, and drop an object in the test pool. He makes sure that the claw can effectively transport the object without dropping it, and without obstructing the ROV’s movement around the pool.
Individual Testing Procedures-
1. Dry test only the claw to ensure it can open and close properly.
2. Put the ROV in a test pool, whether it is at school or at Ryan or Sean’s pools.
3. Test all parts of the claw to ensure that it is running at 100%.
4. Test that the claw has a full range of motion.
5. Make sure that the claw can fully operate without obstructing the motion of the ROV
6. Place an object at the bottom of the pool and test to see if the claw can pick up the object, secure the object, and move the object somewhere else in the pool and release it.
7. Make sure after this to test the structural soundness of the claw after the use to make sure it is not broken.
8. Repeat tests with different size and shape objects to fully test the ability of the claw.
9. Test the claw as part of the whole ROV with the other systems.
List of Tools and Materials
MAST Systems Lab
· Air compressor
· Bucket of water
· Replicas of task items
Student’s homes
· Pool or hot tub
· Replicas of task items
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| The MAST Systems Lab |
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| The same model pool at the Coppinger's house |
Observation Sheet
Does the claw create as little friction through the water as possible? YES/NO
Comments:
Can the claw effectively pick up and relocate items within the pool? YES/NO
Comments:
Can the claw transport objects without damaging itself? YES/NO
Comments:
Can the claw open up to at least 4 inches? YES/NO
Comments:
Does the claw follow all competition rules and regulations? YES/NO
Comments:
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