Week 15: Presentation #3

Dr. Furman has provided the following feedback.
1) Include detailed Bill of Materials (Screws, clamps, steel stud)
2) Select galvanized steel stud with 10 inches in depth to reduce 6 cm of deflection

Our group plans to do the following tasks.
1) Finalize which solar panels our group will be using
2) Find out which material would look similar to the solar panels

Week 13: Lockheed Martin Presentation

This week, the solar team focused on preparing for the Lockheed Marin presentation. Overall, the team presented well and had a great experience. There were some technical questions from panels at Lockheed Martin, but the team answered them with best efforts.

Week 11 & 12

For week 11 and 12, we focus more on designing and improving the existing design from Futran. In their designs, the solar panels are 1.6x1 m; therefore, the total length will be more than 9m if we are going to build at least 9m long track.



Figure 1: Assemble of two supporters and a cross canopy.

Figure 1 is an assembling of two supporters and a solar racking system. The new design has two cross trusses that were added to support the weight of the frame and the solar panels.



Figure 2: Using truss that was made out of sheet metal

Using sheet metal to construct the full-scale designs are considered as a low cost and lighter weight compared to I beams. If it was folded correctly it will generate alot stronger structure, thus it's more efficient to use sheet metal for the Spartan Superway than other types of beams.


Figure 4: A different way to connect and have a stronger rectangle truss

Week 10

More details are being ironed out concerning the truss design.  The team is currently trying to figure out how to attach the linkages.  The linkages will be made out of sheet metal.  Sheet metal should be considerably easy to bend into the desired "U" shape that is desired for the linkages.  A different option would be to simply purchase the linkages from a place like Home Depot. Much time is being spent in Solidworks at the moment.