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The most important thing we learned from prototyping is that not everything that works in Solidworks will work in real life. The sharp corner in the input link path slot that was projected to work in Solidworks caused the system to bind in the physical prototype. Furthermore, material choice is important, especially in planar systems that require a low coefficient of friction for links to slide against each other or against slots. When we originally used wood, the friction between the slot and the dowel massively increased the input force required to move the mechanism, greatly decreasing the mechanical advantage of the system. When talking to the TAs, we learned that we can create PETG inserts (PETG has one of the lowest coefficients of friction out of all the materials in TIW) that interface between the slots and the dowels to prevent the system from binding due to friction. We have since learned from the first iteration as the second iteration of the end effector was made out of acrylic, which made a noticeable difference in terms of smooth mechanism movement. Furthermore, for the first iteration of the end effector specifically, prototyping made our group realize that the slots in the end effector assembly were redundant and overconstraining over-constraining the system/adding unnecessary friction.
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Having received some feedback from both the TAs and our own analyses we conducted, we recognize that we have a long way to go in terms of design iteration. Since we now have a better understanding of how to approach the end effector especially, those force graphs need to be optimized using the methods mentioned in the mechanical advantage analysis section (i.e. stacking levers, shifting the slot path position). The linkage system also needs a redesign of the slotted paths, incorporating a variable radii curve instead of sharp transitions from curved paths to linear paths. Design is projected to be done by the end of this weekend (before 11/13), at which point we can begin iterating on the final product using the 2-3 weeks we have left before the final demo day.
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