Inspiration
The team I am on is entirely made of blue collar outdoors workers with experience using skidloaders, and we have all had the issue of rain before we arrived and the skidloader gets stuck. If the skidloader gets stuck, it is a huge time drain because then only light work can be done until the skidloader can be unstuck.
What it does
Sample of mud is placed onto a tray, and a heating unit is activated. If the mud dries completely before a predetermined time (6 minutes), then the mud is safe to drive on. If it does not, then the mud is considered to FAIL the test.
How I built it
My team and I built the TSI using MDF, hot glue, various arduino components and breadboards, and used Arduino libraries. We brainstormed multiple solutions, first using just a water sensor, then using a spring and distance sensor, then using weight sensors and a turntable to even distribute heat.
Challenges I ran into
Weight sensors did not work Count variable did not increase to 9 or 10 despite evidence that the code next to the code setting that ran LED Matrix data copied from a constructor program contained hidden symbols, leading to manually typing out 88 binary values.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of
Program reliably works, display works well and is intuitive. Mains power is controlled safely and is insulated.
What I learned
Have backup plans in case the first plans do not work. Explore all options before settling on one 100%
What's next for Tread Squish Index
Talk to our foremen about it to get their opinion on whether or not they would use it.
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