Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
14 Acoustic Spoke Tensiometer for Bicycle Wheels
Design Award
 Andrius Bobbit
Sakeb Kazi
Xi Li
 Thomas Galvin design_document0.pdf
final_paper0.pdf
presentation0.pdf
proposal0.pdf
Our project aims to design a tensiometer for bicycle wheels based on the audible frequencies emitted by the spokes when they are being struck. Currently available mechanical meters require clamping of the spokes in order to determine the tension based on the physical deflection of the spokes. This method is time consuming and highly dependent on the proper calibration of the meters.

Frequencies resonated by bicycle spokes when struck are between 300-1000Hz. Since they are dependent on the spokes' lengths and tension, the measured audible frequency of a spoke would tell the user whether the spoke is under-tensioned or over-tensioned (assuming the lengths are uniform for all spokes measured). Correctly tuned spokes would emit a certain desired frequency.

The device would have an infrared sensor to measure the effective spoke length and users would also be required to input other parameters (e.g. butted/non-butted spokes, wheel lacing pattern). The device would take into account all these variables and calculate the optimal tension. Additionally, the device would have an "automated plucker" that strikes the wheel consistently as it is being spun so that tension measurements can be done quickly and stored into memory, automating the process.

Prosthetic Control Board

Caleb Albers, Daniel Lee

Prosthetic Control Board

Featured Project

Psyonic is a local start-up that has been working on a prosthetic arm with an impressive set of features as well as being affordable. The current iteration of the main hand board is functional, but has limitations in computational power as well as scalability. In lieu of this, Psyonic wishes to switch to a production-ready chip that is an improvement on the current micro controller by utilizing a more modern architecture. During this change a few new features would be added that would improve safety, allow for easier debugging, and fix some issues present in the current implementation. The board is also slated to communicate with several other boards found in the hand. Additionally we are looking at the possibility of improving the longevity of the product with methods such as conformal coating and potting.

Core Functionality:

Replace microcontroller, change connectors, and code software to send control signals to the motor drivers

Tier 1 functions:

Add additional communication interfaces (I2C), and add temperature sensor.

Tier 2 functions:

Setup framework for communication between other boards, and improve board longevity.

Overview of proposed changes by affected area:

Microcontroller/Architecture Change:

Teensy -> Production-ready chip (most likely ARM based, i.e. STM32 family of processors)

Board:

support new microcontroller, adding additional communication interfaces (I2C), change to more robust connector. (will need to design pcb for both main control as well as finger sensors)

Sensor:

Addition of a temperature sensor to provide temperature feedback to the microcontroller.

Software:

change from Arduino IDE to new toolchain. (ARM has various base libraries such as mbed and can be configured for use with eclipse to act as IDE) Lay out framework to allow communication from other boards found in other parts of the arm.