PFF: Follow was a tracking module that can be easily integrated into many different robotic platforms. It is used to integrate the following system like Gita into any platform. For this fixture software quality assurance was testing the viability of the module at different heights and angles. What I did was:

• Designed, assembled, and tested a fixture to be able to test Follow

• Ensured Follow can reach 5+ different heights and 5+ different angles stably

• Integrated the fixture with 2 different robotic platforms and a stationary platform

• Made changes through the testing cycle to better ease of use 

The results of this fixture was the SQA team was able to test the radar system on two different robots, the PFF Kilo, and the Husarion Panther. With these two platforms, the testing was able to continue and allowed for the public release of the follow and for the software to be confirmed

Some skills that I honed were:

• Participatory design

• Inventor weldments assembly

• Welding, machining and manufacturing

PFF Kilo is a flatbed robotic platform that utilizes Follow for tracking in a factory environment. It is a 4 wheeled robot that uses all wheels to turn, proving difficult to test. The Software and Mechanical Quality Assurance Teams needed to have a way to test the robot without moving it, so I designed a wheel test fixture. What I did was: 

• Designed, assembled, and evaluated a fixture that allows the wheels to rotate and turn at speed

• Researched a previous solution and what was currently used by the company for Gita

• Iteratively designed a 3D printed versions of the rollers to show a proof of concept 

• Researched and optimized component price to reduce cost on the production of the fixture

The results of this were the completion of the test fixture and allowing it to be used in the factory and lab so that the multiple kilos can be tested by different people in a smaller footprint. Furthermore, more of these dynos were built to allow for end of line testing.

Some skills that I honed:

• Quick prototyping for proof of concepts

• Welding and machining methods

• Collaborative design methods to understand previous solutions 

PFF Kilo is a flatbed Robotic platform that utilizes Follow for tracking in a factory environment. To ensure the platform met the payload specification, the legs that attach the wheels to the turning mechanism needed to be assessed and optimized for their load to weight ratio. What I did was: 

• Researched previous solutions in which the wheel style was used

• Designed and test in a virtual force environment to find stress exhibited and deflection of the leg (NASTRAN)

• Iteratively tested 3D printed versions to explore installation steps and wire routing methods

• Recorded the impacts of changes to the structure of the leg to changes in load to weight ratio

The results of this project were the streamlining of the assembly methods, and the minimization of material for the machining of the part. Furthermore the model that was created is now implemented in the current prototype and in the concept images of the robot.

Some skills that I honed:

• FEA analyses

• Manufacturing methods

• Quick prototyping methods