====== Minutes ======

[[classes:principlesofdesign:cncmechanicaltester:Old minutes|January/February]]

===== March 3, 2011 =====
  * Calvin wrote a simple data storing program in python for us to build off of.
  * A specific job was given for each member to complete by the end of the week. These included:
     * Contacting Roland for additional information
     * Creating testing patterns (sine waves, steps) in mastercam
     * Converting these patterns into g-code
     * Setting up the continuous data saving file in python
     * Looking into using pydaq c as a middle step between the real time data, and the data being saved in python
     * Writing a new draft of our group's sponsorship letter

===== March 10, 2011 =====
  * We went over the space delimited g-code that will generate our sine wave.
  * We decided that for a pretest, it is easier to manually move the load cell to meet the sample for now.
  * We're in the process of fixing the three programs we need to test.
  * We will meet next week Wednesday to possibly do pretesting and put our midterm presentation together.

===== March 16,2011 =====
  * Calvin fixed the problem with continuous data saving in python and CNC movement in g-code
  * The continuous saving program now collects data from the load cell and stores it in a csv file along side a time stamp (See an example excel file of acquired data on our [[classes:principlesofdesign:cncmechanicaltester:programming| programming page)]] 
  * Supplementary python programs (pyDAQ tools, etc.) were installed on two laptops in order to run the the program along side the CNC machine (Unfortunately these are not functional yet)
  * The program for CNC movement was successful ( The video of the program in progress can be seen in the following [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJCR3f0xQCY|video)]]
  * The home screen for this new device is now being designed to allow sample parameters to be input and to provide a user friendly screen to control the tests.  
  * Each step was tested seperately and we plan to combine them in the near future.

===== March 31,2011 =====
  * Our sponsorship letter was edited by the writing center and is now in the final stages of revision.
  * It was discovered throughout the last two weeks that Python 3.0 and editions above do not read our data saving code properly. We are working on making a compatible one. 
  * Python 2.6 and all extra downloads needed were put on to a laptop so that we could test position, time, and load together.
  * The data acquisition program was made more concise by minimizing the time lapse between collecting and dumping data. 
  * Tests were combined for the first time.
  * The new signal conditioner we have has not been calibrated with the load cell yet, so our load data from these first tests are not accurate.

===== April 7, 2011 =====
  * The plans for the final step of the project were put in place
  * Our final product will include a video tutorial, a list of programs needed to duplicate our mechanical test, and the written programs to run a user friendly test.
  * The sponsorship letter was sent out to Roland.

===== April 14, 2011 =====
  * We had difficulty getting the GUI (home screen) to work.
  * The GUI program will now be made in Python 2.6 rather than 3.1
  * The calibration and testing python programs worked and will now be split so that the GUI program can call upon them seperately.
  * A list of programs and downloads needed to run the tests were made, and it was discussed whether to list them online or provide them as a downloadable package.
  * The final stages include putting together the calibration code, testing code, and g-code converter with the GUI, and creating a help menu to setup the physical connections. 

===== April 28, 2011 =====
  * The GUI is now in the debugging stage
  * The website template now has over 20 pages which are being edited. It includes tutorials, information, etc.
  * The plan is to have a final video of everything working together made by monday. We will follow the finished tutorial to make sure that our instructions are concise and understandable.
  * Roland responded to our letter saying that their engineers could not share with us the information we need for the Creep Test. A clarification letter is being formulated.

===== May 2, 2011 =====  
  * The CNC Mechanical tester now works!
  * Four minor changes were made to the GUI code
  * The website is up and running!
  * Written and video tutorials are running as well.
  * The bulk of the project is complete, we will continue to troubleshoot as problems do arise. So far, data [[classes:principlesofdesign:cncmechanicaltester:data_graphs|graphs]] for the packing peanut look promising.