Project Members
Marcie Legarde
Alexa Aguilar Izquierdo
Jared Holt
Carson Nguyen
Table of Contents
- 4.1: Project Proposal
- 4.2: Design Process
- 4.3: Kinematic Analysis
- 4.4: Implementation
- 4.5: Final Prototype and Demonstration
- 4.6: Conclusions and Future Work
Summary
Team 4 developed a mechanism capable of launching a golf ball loftily, mimicking the form and velocity profile of a human swing. This one-degree-of-freedom mechanism was designed to propel a golf ball at an angle despite a constant angular velocity input, utilizing the triple crank Watt's linkage. Specifically targeting the impact of a pitching wedge on a golf ball, which typically features a loft of 44 to 48 degrees to create upward and forward motion, the team utilized this wedge model to shape and position the end effector for ball contact.
Throughout the project, the team grappled with the challenge of bringing a six-bar mechanism to fruition. The chosen Watt's linkage presented numerous conflicting joints requiring innovative problem-solving. Ultimately, the team devised a solution by creating a split-ternary link to facilitate passage for the ground and other links, adopting a "sandwich" design where two keyed ternary links encased the ground joint.
During the manufacturing phase, the team machined their own D-shafts and fine-tuned tolerances for laser-cut links and 3D-printed bearing holes. Specialty items included on the Bill of Materials are PTFE, low-friction washers and lock nuts to secure screw joints.
RUBRIC (Work in Progress, to be deleted):
Summary (Parent Page)*
This is the main page of your report and acts as a front page and hub for the rest of the project. You
should include your team members, a brief background and problem statement, an image of your final
build, your final video, and a Table of Contents that links to all other pages. Ensure that your main
page is clear and contains the overall idea of your project (using photos and the final video) for a viewer
quickly browsing through all the project pages.
Initial Proposal*
This part is already completed from the previous assignment. No need to add anything extra.
Design Process*
Tell us how you approached your problem and settled on your final design. This includes
brainstorming, early iterations that differ from your final design, and any iterations that made it off
the drawing board. We want to see the way you thought through this problem.
Kinematic Analysis*
This page presents the kinematic analysis for all important parts of your project. Diagrams and other
graphics shine here.
Implementation
Use this page to tell us the details of how you completed your project. You should consider a section
on fabrication and assembly, electronics and circuitry, and software development.
Final Demonstration
Show off your final design here including photos and video from demo day.
Conclusions & Future Work
Tell us how your project went. Did you accomplish your objectives? What would you do next to take
your design to the next level? You should include a section for lessons learned, any future work ideas,
tips for future groups, and any acknowledgements you want to make. Your acknowledgements should
be specific people who directly contributed to your project and/or the experience. This can include
students in other groups, specific TIW or UT staff, or labs/faculty, grad-students that gave you access
to resources or advice.
*These sections will contain information from your Proposal and Prototype assignments but might also include
any changes you make to your design up to the final demonstration