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This report describes the development of a 3-stage plan for refurbishment of the planar motion mechanism (PMM). The purpose behind refurbishing the PMM is to make improvements that will translate into more accurate test results. This report looks at increasing the PMM structural stiffness by replacing the yaw mechanism, designing and building a new modular dynamometer for use on the PMM, and the issues associated with the current software for the PMM as well as possible improvements to be made in replacement software. Stage 1 of the refurbishment involves the design of the dynamometer. A cruciform structure was used as it showed greater stiffness then the present trapezoidal structure in finite element analysis. Other improvements made to the dynamometer include the use of button load cells as opposed to cantilever for increased stiffness. Stage 2 involves incorporating two tapered roller bearings into the yaw mechanism of the PMM. One bearing has a particularly large diameter that sits between the dynamometer and the PMM frame. This increases the stiffness of the PMM by allowing the dynamometer to be held closer to the PMM frame and through a wider contact surface. In stage 3 of the refurbishment issue with the current control software are addressed. The most important of these issues is the lack of documentation for the software. It is felt that rewriting the software would be the best solution. Stage 3 also lists some possible improvements that can be made to rewritten software such as the separation of the software into two entirely separate programs instead of having one program with two parts, as is the present case. Also, the future expansion of the PMM is considered in the software improvements by having excess control channels programmed into the software that would allow additional hardware controllers to be used. |
