From Concept to Commissioning
Students at California State University, Chico, designed a versatile and scalable vehicle that starts with precision agricultural spraying but aims to push the boundaries of what's possible.
Along the way, these students gained hands-on experience and technical expertise that will empower them to excel in real-world engineering and innovation roles after graduation.
Design
This vehicle platform is all about simplicity and precision!
Designed for easy scalability, it used a skid-steer configuration, controlling the left and right wheels independently for unmatched off-road maneuverability.
A compact single-board computer handled the drives with analog velocity commands, while a separate computer processed high-level commands, seamlessly controlling the vehicle's actuators over a wireless network.
Engineering an initial design was about laying a solid foundation for success by combining creativity, precision, and problem-solving.
The result? A streamlined, responsive system ready to tackle any terrain with ease!
The Team
The student engineering team consisted of Laine Wood, Lars Bartels, Wiliam Kettle, and Adam Garza (Not pictured). Joshua Miranda,(Not pictured) Senior Capstone Design Program Coordinator, oversaw the project.
Challenges and Obstacle
As in any engineering endeavor, challenges and obstacles arise throughout each process.
The main challenge was expanding control of the drives from discrete signals on the vehicle controller to network-based control over the drives.
The existing setup relied on individual signals for each drive, which limited the flexibility and scalability of the system. To achieve a more efficient and dynamic control mechanism, the team aimed to transition to a network-controlled system that handled multiple drives simultaneously with more precision.
Every challenge encountered along the way becomes an opportunity to refine ideas, strengthen the design, and build resilience. By embracing obstacles as part of the journey, engineers set the stage for innovative solutions and lasting impact.
ADVANCED Motion Controls Drives
ADVANCED Motion Controls played a critical role in the vehicle's design. To ensure the platform could scale easily, Digiflex® Performance DPCANTE-060B080 and DPRALTE-060B080 servo drives were chosen for there versatility. These drives come in a wide range of amperage ratings and form factors.
This variety allowed the team to use the same motion and control system, whether they scaled the platform up or down.
The team working with the Digiflex amplifiers informed AMC that it was a great experience. The software and documentation were straightforward, which made the process smooth. The team was able to get each of the drives controlling the motors within a few hours of unboxing them. Leading to an efficient and seamless integration.
"The performance of these drives met our expectations, expanding our control capabilities and opened up a wide range of possibilities for future developments. We are excited about the potential these new platforms bring and look forward to further advancements."
- Joshua Miranda, Senior Capstone Design Program Coordinator
College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management
Progress Continues
Moving forward, the California State University Chico Engineering team made significant progress by getting two more vehicles up and running. The first platform is now ready for testing and is better suited for indoor navigation, incorporating 4 Digiflex® Performance DPRALTE-020B080 servo drives that are also used in the Motion and Machine Automation Course at Chico State.
The second platform is a smaller vehicle utilizing RC components.The team is currently looking at implementing AMC drives for traction control.
