Progress

Spring 2021

March 2021 Progress

This month, we focused on the logistics of the ramp and we are now ready to order components for assembly in April. Concerns this month included: trailer base modelling, machinist consultation, design optimization, and price quote comparison.

Firstly, we contacted Andrew Bittner from the UTD Machine Shop to discuss the feasibility of machining our current platform design and our idea to cut excess length off of the trailer base. From this meeting, we got confirmation and advice on many of our design questions, and quickly went to work amending and updating our designs.

Trailer Base Cut

First, we created a model of the trailer base in CREO in order to simulate the assembly of the top platform of the ramp to the top of the trailer base. This model helped us convey our design concept to Andrew, and allowed us to discuss more specific concerns.

Trailer base 3D model with proposed cut.

Using the trailer base model, we consulted with Andrew Bittner and our project mentors to determine if a cut on the trailer was appropriate. In the end, we determined that cutting the trailer would result in a potential loss of structural integrity and handling on the road.

Top Platform Mounting Solution

Next, we used the input from Andrew Bittner to determine the optimal way to mount the Top Platform of the ramp to the top of the Trailer Base. Our problem was that the platform design inherited from last semester had 1 set of central mounting legs, while the trailer base has 2 central, horizontal supports at the center that do not align with that of the top platform.

Top Platform central supports do not align with Trailer Base crossbeams.

Our solution, approved via email confirmation by Andrew Bittner, was to restructure the central support of the Top Platform into 2 centralized sets of supports that mirror the dimensions of the Trailer Base’s crossbeams.

Proposed design update of Top Platform supports to match Trailer Base crossbeams.
Proposed design update of Top Platform supports with additional diagonal supports.

To mount the Top Platform supports to the Trailer Base more effectively, we added angle iron cross beams along the bottom of the supports. After implementing the Top Platform mounting solution to our model, we updated our material procurement lists and reassembled the 3D model of the ramp.

Updated ramp assembly with amended Top Platform design.

The “Impossible” Tubing Cut

The last major concern for the ramp was a certain cut of steel tubing on the Bottom, or loading, Segment of the ramp that Andrew Bittner told us was impossible to perform due to the angle.

Close-up view of the “Impossible Cut” from the inherited ramp design.

After consulting with our project partner, Bobby Valdez, we were relieved to learn that a small gap between the ground and the lowest point of the ramp of about 2 inches was acceptable. Using this information, we amended the cut on the steel tubing.

Close-up view of amended steel tubing “Impossible Cut.”

Although the steel tubing cut is now resolved, we are currently discussing the removal of the overhanging portion of the expanded metal resulting from the design change. Because it is the lowest part of the ramp and is now unsupported by steel tubing, we have concerns that the expanded steel may eventually wear away from impacts with the ground. We will consult with Andrew Bittner, Bobby Valdez, and our project mentors to resolve this concern.

Price Quote Comparisons

Our final task this month was to call UTD approved steel vendors and compare purchase prices for the materials we need to complete the Top and Mid segments of the ramp. We are comparing many parameters to determine the best vendors, namely: gross cost, cost per unit, shipping fee, locality, and favor with the university. We will have our procurement form ready for approval in early April.

Plans for Next Month

Next month will be crucial for this project: we will be ordering components and consulting with the UTD Machine Shop a lot. We will also begin work on the design of the Permanent Safety Guard Mounting solution discussed with Andrew Bittner. While we work on this, the Top Platform will be machined, and we will need to coordinate with the UTD Machine Shop and UTDesign Studio to navigate the Trailer Base (currently in the UTDesign Studio) to the machine shop.

Spring 2021

February 2021 Progress

We made quite ambitious plans for February at the end of January, but we learned the hard way that things don’t always go as planned. Every now and then, the Texas winter gets quite extreme, and as we all know this year happened to be one of them. Despite our project being halted for nearly 2 weeks in February, we still managed to make some serious progress.

Firstly, we finally got the wheels onto the trailer base correctly, leaving only the electronics left in its assembly. Once we get the trailer base assembled, we’ll need to take it to the parking lot and secure it for storage due to its size. 

We also took inventory of the parts that we need to order to complete the frame of the ramp, and began comparing vendor prices. We then met with Andrew Bittner from the UTD machine shop and got a good idea of how we need to prepare and order our components such that we can get the majority of the frame completed quickly.

Our plan going into March is to get all the parts ordered for the entire ramp and to begin cutting the steel tubing for the ramp frame with the help of the machine shop.

Spring 2021

January 2021 Progress

During the little time we had this month, we introduced ourselves and became acquainted as a team. We established our place as the Spring 2021 roster of the Neigh Sayers by completing our Team Charter. After that, we immediately went to work identifying the final logistics needed to be done for February.

Firstly, we plan to take inventory of the amount of A36 cold-rolled square steel tubing that we will use to make the frame of the ramp (in feet of tubing purchased). We will then do a brief price comparison and get the steel ordered as soon as possible. Ideally, we can have the frame done by the end of February. As a minor detail, we will visit the UTDesign Studio a few times in early February to wrap up the trailer base assembly and transport it outside.

We are setting ambitious goals for this semester, as we hope to finally have the ramp delivered to Equest for Bobby and his clients.

Fall 2020

November 2020 Progress

During November, some of our team members felt that due to health concerns, it was best that they no longer visited the UTDesign Studio this semester. The progress we made this month was divided into two main goals: continued assembly of the trailer base, and logistics concerning the Portable Mounting Ramp.

As it stands, we have completed approximately 90% of the trailer base. We are currently stumped while attempting to affix the wheels to the base, which is barring our progress. However, the main frame of the ramp is completed, and the pieces that come after the wheels are add-ons such as the handles.

Front half of Trailer Base assembled.

Front and back half of trailer base in folded state.

The instructions mentioned removing the hub caps of the wheels so that we could slide the wheel onto the side of the trailer base, after which we would have to reapply the hub cap. However, this caused a roadblock, as there was some sort of blue lubricant within the bearing of the wheel that would ooze out was we applied pressure. Currently, we have not secured the wheels to the trailer base.

Blue lubricant oozing from within bearing of wheel.

**We limited our time in close proximity to 15 minutes per day as specified in the UTDesign Studio safety requirements. We made sure to wear a face mask at ALL times, and applied a face shield BEFORE coming in close proximity for long durations.**

 

Our team members that stayed home worked on some of the logistics of the ramp. This included converting the ramp assembly into a CREO file from a SolidWorks file, continuing research into railing alternatives, and brainstorming alternatives for the ramp walking surface and side coverings. We also began taking part inventory using the updated CREO model in order to prepare a Bill of Materials for next semester’s procurement request.

Updated model of Ramp in CREO Parametric 6.0.

Regarding the walking surface, one of our main considerations was replacing the solid 0.15″ thick steel plated with a thicker, meshed steel walking surface. This would cut the cost of the walking surface down, and we already had some of the material on hand to experiment with. In order to go through with this change, we must ensure that walking canes will not skip through the holes in the mesh and that the structural load-supporting capabilities of the mesh equal or exceed the requirements given to us by Equest.

Metallic mesh used for mesh/grid-like walking surface consideration.

Considering our limitations under current circumstances, we think this semester has been very productive for the Equest Portable Mounting Ramp project. We ironed out the design flaws in the ramp, completed the majority of the trailer base, and have a part inventory on the verge of completion. It has been a blast to work as a team on this project, and we hope the Portable Mounting Ramp will be finished next semester!

Fall 2020

October 2020 Progress

October was a very busy month for the Portable Mounting Ramp Project. This month, we finally got our hands dirty and made some major physical progress. We spent most of the month assembling the trailer base and delivering our semester presentation. We also further discussed mount railing holder solutions, although we did not dedicate as much time to that aspect of the ramp.

One of the biggest problems we ran into during assembly of the trailer base was interpreting the instruction manual. We spent quite a few attempts trying to properly line up the components of the front frame of the trailer base.

The instruction manual pages detailing the assembly of the front frame of trailer base.

 

Front frame of the trailer base aligned for assembly.

 

We also needed to learn how to use a ratchet and socket and also how to properly use the tool when the bolt is not secured. The solution was to have one of our teammates hold the bolt in place on the outer surface with a different socket/wrench while another teammate tightened the nut on the inner surface using the ratchet and socket.

Jarren and Milan securing the front frame of the trailer base together using a bolt and nylon lock nut.

 

Jeremy and Milan also securing the front frame of the trailer base together using a bolt and nylon lock nut.

**We limited our time in close proximity to 15 minutes per day as specified in the UTDesign Studio safety requirements. We made sure to wear a face mask at ALL times, and applied a face shield BEFORE coming in close proximity for long durations.**

We completed about 1/3 of the trailer base this month, but we also learned and developed our knowledge of manual tool usage and interpreting instruction manuals. This month was our learning curve in regards to trailer assembly and hand tool usage. The knowledge we gained by studying the trailer base instruction manual will help us when we begin making our own manual for the Portable Mounting Ramp. Our goal for November is to finally finish the trailer base.

Fall 2020

September 2020 Progress

This month was quite eventful for the Neigh Sayers. We contacted the UTD Machine Shop to have our final engineering drawings approved and to inquire about in-person training to help fabricate the Portable Mounting Ramp. Due to current circumstances, we unfortunately will not be able to assist in ramp construction this semester, which will increase our total build cost.

On a positive note, we ordered the trailer base upon which the ramp will be mounted. It is currently in the UTDesign studio where we will spend next month assembling it while we procure parts for the ramp itself. The Irontron Trailer Base we ordered is shown below:

As we finalized our Semester Plan, we noticed that our project is currently over-budget by quite a large margin. Given the magnitude of the ramp, we expected to be over-budget, but not by this much. To cut down on costs, we are currently brainstorming alternatives to replace the Single Post Mount Railing Holders shown below.

Spring 2020

Spring 2020 Progress

January

  • Made a rough estimate of total length and cost of steel tubing and steel mesh needed 
  • Looked into available trailer base options 
  • Visited with project partner to introduce ourselves and learn more about what they need. Also gained insight into some additional small requirements 
  • Side of ramp facing horse must be covered to prevent harm 
  • Railing along the side opposite of the horse as well as on the back

February

  • Met with shop machinist as a group to discuss design details 
  • Bolt platform onto the trailer, rather than welding it on 
  • Consider capping off the ends of the square tubes 
  • Use Metal Supermarkets in Dallas for raw materials, and McMaster-Carr for components like hinges 
  • Focus on fully completing every design aspect of the project and get the loading platform and trailer assembled 
  • Started remodeling the ramp in SolidWorks with the correct tubing dimensions (¾” x ¾”)
  • Looked into which trailer base to purchase

March

  • Some team members completed in-person machine shop training 
  • Started mid-semester presentation PowerPoint 
  • Continued remodeling in CAD 
  • Trailer base has been ordered
  • Finished re-designing each individual segment of the CAD model 
  • Designed a rough idea of the railing system
Fall 2019

November, 2019

During the last month of our project, we ran through our list of goals and set about fulfilling them as our semester was coming to an end.

Firstly, we revisited the machinist in order to have our CAD model looked at and updated the model as per his requirements.

Here is what our final CAD looks like:

Once the CAD was finished, we ran through most of the required simulations for our model. This included both a force and a displacement analysis. Since our model is supposed to support two adult males and a wheelchair, our project partner required us to support 700lbs. Our model was built to support 800lbs so as to ensure the feasibility in the case of excess weight.

Here are the simulations:

DEFORMATION SIMULATION

DISPLACEMENT SIMULATION

STRESS SIMULATION

 

The month ended with the UTD Expo, wherein we presented our prototype with the relevant data.

In conclusion, we were really proud of our project and hope to see it completed by the end of next semester.

 

 

Fall 2019

October, 2019

This month has been very productive for the Neigh Sayers. In the first week of October, the team visited the Equest facility. Other than discussing the requirements of our project partner, we connected to the needs of our client. Seeing the smiles of the clients of Equest, it made us more determined to work on a better version for our project. Here are a few captured moments from our visit:

After the visit, we integrated our project partner’s inputs into the design, specifically what kind of trailer base they desired. After constructing one from scratch, we performed a cost analysis on the design. Since the cost was exceeding the budget for the whole semester, we finalized a trailer base that we could buy and presented Professor Bennet with the idea. Since he gave us the go-ahead, we initiated the process to buy the following:

 

As far as the CAD aspect is considered, the team is finished with the CAD for both the platform and the ramp, thus meeting the deadline we had set for ourselves. Here is a hand-drawn sketch of the ramp:

Future:

Since the CAD aspect is winding up, we have to make an appointment with the Machine shop. Also, we need to finish the machine shop training in order to work at the shop. Other than that, we should have acquired the trailer base by the end of this month and run all possible simulations on the CAD design.