Week 24: Problems and Solutions

Since last weeks post, work has resumed on the bender and testing the new material that was ordered. The new material was AL 6061 T6511, and acted differently from the AL 6061 T6 that remained from the previous year's materials. Tests revealed that the smaller stock did not bend as easily, and the larger stock bent more easily. Therefore, the aim will be to use the remaining old material to create the bends for the sections of track as necessary.

With concerns to the permanent installation of the completed bender in the shop, some changes to previous plans may be made. A finalized plan will be made available as the end of the semester approaches.

The solar team provided details on the requirements for the ribs that they wanted made, so some work will have to be done with the new material to accommodate their request. It is good that their tolerances are not nearly as strict as the track requirements, so issues with handling the new material should be few.

New material, doesn't fit the curve.

Old material, fits the curve