Work Since Blog 2

Since blog assignment #2, I have been working closely with the members of the steering and braking sub-team. We discussed different bogie designs that can be implemented to provide different switching and braking speeds. After discussing with Prof. Furman, I found out that it would be more ideal to modify the existing bogie design rather than designing a whole new bogie from scratch. I agree with this route, because I think if we changed everything we would be nullifying everything the previous years have done. We will be figuring out ways to modify the steering/braking/ and failsafe to the current design. One suggestion I would like to explore is keeping both steering wheels engaged at all times and only disengage one when it is time to steer. The problem with the current design is that when one wheel is engage at a time, the wheel and the weight of the bogie are creating a moment which is potentially putting the bogie at risk of failing. I think that keeping both wheels engage will cancel that moment and keep it static. However for this to work, the railing design would need to change to accommodate the two wheels that are engaged. I will be adding sketches in the near future to clearly express this idea.

For the rail team, I have spoken with my lead to come up with a track that demonstrates the requirements of the 17 degree slope while using little material to save cost. The rail will be closed loop track with one edge dropping and raising at 17 degrees. We discussed that this drop can not be a sudden change and it needs to be gradual to avoid the front of the cabin from hitting the rail. The track will also have a split so it can demonstrate switching at station exits. Previously the rail had to travel backwards to return to start position, but since we plan on a closed loop it will go back to start after completing a lap. Again I will be adding sketches with dimensions to clearly express this idea.