We built the frame and the control box of the Sea Perch today. Once Matt showed me how to use the pipe cutter and drill, I caught on quickly and found the instructions surprisingly comprehendable (Instructions can be found on http://seaperch.mit.edu/). The hand-held pipe cutters were fun to use and rewarding when the desired pipe length finally detached itself after long moments of strenuous pressing. I had trouble securing the drill bit on the surface to be drilled at first, but I soon figured out with Cole's help that it is easier to press the tip of the bit slightly into the surface before drilling.
I tried soldering for the first time to wire the control box for the ROV. It is difficult to keep wire ends together while soldering and to get the solder to penentrate through all of the wires. I wish I could observe in slow motion the magical moment the solder transforms into a bead of shimmering liquid. The state change always happens suddenly, and I had to practice quickly moving the soldering wire so that it would not cool and stick onto the target wires. I learned the hard way not to touch the insulated wire anywhere near the soldering region, because it really burns! Also, I learned to beware of the hot solder spontaneously splashing upwards.
After struggling with the soldering iron for some time, I checked all the electrical connections of the control box, and...the positive (+) side did not respond. I guess I'll have to take it apart tomorrow to see what went wrong!
Photos of the project to be posted soon!
Miscellaneous Happenings of the Day
- Received a MIT student ID
- Picked up useful computer facts from conversations with Jake!
- Managed to not get lost walking from Suffolk Bldg. to the Student Center :)
No comments:
Post a Comment