Nikolas Mifsud Spartan Superway

This week was intended to do FEA on the drive bogie and work towards the finishing the modifications to the slave bogie. WE ran into some issues getting the model into ANSYS so the FEA we hoped for was not completed. We will keep working on this to get this important data. This week was mostly spent working with other teams on integrating their systems into the bogies. The Motor Team provided us with final sizing specs, allowing us to correct the mockup model we were using in our CAD assemblies. We also ironed out the spacing for the wheels relative to the tracks. Additionally, we are working on placing the route selection for Guideway Team. Finally, we have decided to use a simple pin system to link the two bogies. This will allow the motion we require for Maker Faire while giving the option of a linkage with more degrees of freedom when needed.

This week, I headed the redesign of the drive bogie. It was a huge relief that Wayside Power confirmed that they could power the two wheel drive system. That allowed me to simplify the designs and throw out the concepts I have for articulation of the wheels for turning. I took cues from Futran on their lower clamping wheel system, designing a rigid set of wheels that do not actively hug the bottom of the rail. These wheels aid in keeping the bogie on the tracks and prevent the drive wheels from losing traction with the rails. Additionally, the two sets of wheels are offset to prevent twisting on the rails. The passive wheel assembly This should mark the end of design for the drive bogie. From here, I will send off the CAD to my teammates for a full set of FEA tests. From there, I will alter the design as needed. I am confident in the design and feel that it may only require a few supports to be ready to build. Drive Bogie V4