Testing Procedures
Introduction
The expectations of the Underwater ROV are very high on my personal standards. Through rigorous evaluation of the alternate solutions and determining the best fit for the requirements my group is asking of me, I feel that Alternate Design #3 is a very stable, reliable system performing above and beyond our expectations. The design will function very precisely and offer high end responsiveness. Through the onboard components, the ROV will have 3 axis of motion on the X, Y, and Z axes. The design is supposed to offer numerous types of pressure response and various buttons to meet the needs of both SR and DM. The final design will be professionally done, have a clean installation, have solid connections, and be very responsible.
The final product has to meet our specifications to the best of the design’s capabilities. The design is going to perform as an independent system to operate under no human input besides controller operation. The electronics will complete the task from SeaPerch replicating the British Petroleum experiment. The design will conquer the task of stopping flow of the ‘oil’ spill, capping the well of flowing “oil” every 10 seconds, and to collect oil that rose to the surface.
The overall project consists of 3 major components: the hull, the arm, and the electronics. The electrical components of the ROV will undergo testing in steps. Starting with the foundation of the project and adding hardware to the design, testing in between each addition will ensure that each component works smoothly with other components. The design will also serve a purpose of finding failing components within the overall system of electronics. They go through testing with computer apparatus for quality control and performance.
The electrical components underwent construction in the Systems Laboratory. The components register with a serial monitor to be functioning correctly. The design needs to perform in a water-exposed environment. After it works successfully underwater, the team combines each unit together and tests the product as a whole on the surface, and then underwater. Afterwards, conduct the test outside the Systems Lab in order to test different medians to prepare for the final testing challenge.
Testing Stages
Exploratory Testing:
Ensure that the design is versatile, adaptable, user friendly, and meet the needs of the competition standards. At this stage, the solutions aren’t in a finalized state.
Check the following for updates for modifications since the release date:
· Design Brief
o Is the design still plausible or able to be constructed?
o Are the proper tools and equipment available to you?
o Is the design possible to build in the atmosphere available to you?
· Specifications / Limits
o Are the competition requirements the same?
o Did the task at hand deviate from the original?
Assessment Testing:
Final alternate solution is chosen from a strict criteria used in a design matrix. Create and publish a rationale discussing the evaluation measures. How does it meet the needs of the other group members?
· Observation of the alternate solution for flaws or glitches
· Talk to others to ensure the coherence between pieces.
o Do the electronics work within the hull design?
o Do the electronics require any type of mounting hardware others should be aware of?
o Does the electronics meet the requirements of the arm?
o Is my project versatile enough to work with every subcategory?
· Revise the alternate solutions as required to unionize all work in one coherent final alternate solution.
o Make corrections to drawing and upload them to the blog with a thorough rationale and decision process to explain why it is the paramount design.
Validation Testing:
The final design is complete in the construction phase and product testing begins. The validation testing overall is in 4 different pieces: primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary.
· Primary Testing
1. Obtain and inspect each acquired component.
2. Measure components with a caliper.
3. Document the measurements for future drawings / dimensional analysis.
4. Ensure that waterproofing is a viable option with the working components.
· Secondary Testing
1. Test joints, connections, the joints that were waterproof through potting methods.
2. Test wires out of water and ensure continuity and current flows through the cables.
3. Ensure that all joints of the components are in place and acknowledge that impact may be a possibility with the ROV and failure is not an option.
· Tertiary Testing
1. Using the final electronics prototype, test the project as a whole.
2. Assembly is complete
3. Test components of the whole manually (motors and enclosures) at a depth of 15 feet.
· Quaternary Testing
1. Compilation of all of the individual systems is complete at this point in time.
2. All components / individual pieces are secure on the ROV
3. Run through quick visual checks to ensure all individual components are safe and in contact.
4. Send current/electric to the ROV and test each individual component on the Underwater ROV while on land.
5. After all systems are clear to go, place the ROV in a small tub of water (i.e. Bathtub)
6. Run diagnostics on the devices and ensure that there is no malfunctions, failures, and that everything is running up to par and expectations
7. If all systems are perfectly in check, test the ROV in an environment 15 feet below the surface to ensure it is capable of running with that amount of atmospheric pressure and to check that no complications arise such as cable length, or problems occur.
8. Test quality of the underwater camera in 15 feet of water.
9. Use test objects underwater to test utilities onboard the ROV including the arm. Ensure there is enough light for easy operation.
10. Report testing qualities on the observation sheet and survey.
Tools and Equipment (Used in the Brainstorming Phase)
- Orthographic Paper
- Isometric Paper
- Utility Pencils
- Straight edges
- Rules
- Laptop for Research
Tools and Equipment (Used in the Development Phase)
- Laptop / Desktop with AutoCAD
- Internet Capabilities
- Desk Surfaces
- Calipers
Tools and Equipment (Used in the Construction Phases)
- Drill Press
- Band saw
- Scroll Saw
- Table Saw
- Drill Gun
- Drill bit set
- Hot Glue Gun
- Caliper
- Architect Rulers
- Box Cutters
- X-Acto Knives
- Heat gun
- Laptop
- Orbit Sander
- Belt Sander
- Allen Key / Hex Key Set
- Socket Wrench Set
- Screwdrivers
- Chisels / Pry Tools
Testing Conditions, Location, and Atmosphere
Testing will begin with brainstorming thoughts, images, and ideas at workshop tables like the one below:
Afterwards, construction will occur and the end product will be a prototypes of products. These will be tested in a 5-gallon bucket for quick testing considering that this stage is mostly individual component testing. This is an example below:
After this stage, we can test motors / bilge pumps in tanks such as the one below to observe water flow rate and how it performs with water resistance. This is an example of a tank similar to what we can use:
Afterwards, once the electronics are in one unit, the team can test the ROV in an atmosphere like the one below: This is a swimming pool, but due to the deadlines we have to meet, a pool might not be available to us (due to the winter proofing process). If a pool is available to us, it is very convenient for the group to perform tasks and test for waterproofing:
Below would be our second to last testing stage:
Testing Survey
General Feedback
Functionality on Land:
Do the parts function correctly?
Are the modifications on the ROV and functioning since the last test?
Electronic Component Securing and Strength:
Are all electrical components in check and secure in the waterproof box?
Is the installation on the OtterBox secure with a proper mount and stable?
Are all of the epoxy seals on the side of the OtterBox well maintained and appear exemplary?
Do the electrical components operate with the enclosure locked?
Do the electrical components work from a remote location?
Functionality Underwater:
Do the materials rust after taken out of the water for a long duration of time?
Do the functions and components work at their peak performance 15 feet underwater?
Motor Controller
Does the motor controller support the amperage demand of the components?
Does the motor controller heat up to a concerning amount during operation?
Motors
Does the motor operate properly?
Does the motor rotate counterclockwise and clockwise motions to concur with the groups expectations?
Tether
Does the tether reach the expectations of the group and the project?
Does the tether heat up to a concerning amount where consideration has to occur?
Does the tether have any kinks, dents, scratches, rips, tears, or imperfections?
