EASELECTRIC Team 4 Adam Frank Jackie Jon

Introduction Planning a Design General Requirements: An electrically adjustable easel that can be safely used in a community of cognitively impaired individuals. Should be light-weight and movable in 3 planes of motion and controllable tilt operations (i.e. front to back, side to side, and up and down)

Overview of Client, Harry Grim Moderate Cognitive Impairment (MR) Limited Arm Movement and Dexterity Received “Painting Easely” project developed by UConn students in 2002 Flaws include: Too large and heavy Safety concerns involving speed of movement Control settings

Specifications Safety Features: Automatic mechanism to stop movement of easel beyond its maximal excursion Master switch to turn device on/off Powered by a wall switch Slow movements so there is sufficient time to control device due to delayed responsive skills of the artist No exposed cords or wires

Control Features Detachable joysticks to control easel movement from a wheelchair Master switch located on the back of the device Simplistic controls that can be easily maneuvered by individuals with MR

Size Restrictions Requests for Device Dimensions Tabletop arrangement with room for Harry’s feet From floor to lap, allow approximately 27” Lightweight Transportable design making the device easy to store Canvas Size should be adjustable Min: 8” by 8” Max: 30” high by 38” wide

Initial Design Materials: Require a lightweight, sturdy, and cheap material for frame Wood: Too flimsy, not ideal for electric movement PVC: Again, too flimsy (used in former project) Stainless Steel: Heavy, expensive ALUMINUM

Initial Design Aluminum Advantages Lightweight Cheap Weldable Sturdy Available in different shapes, lengths, and forms of stock

Initial Design Aluminum Characteristics Alloys- 1000,2000,3000,4000,5000,6000,7000 series aluminum Fabrication- bending, drilling, punching, tacking, welding, tapping Finishes- mill, anodized, mechanical, painted Types- extruded, drawn, miniature, welded

Initial Design Aluminum Shapes: ChannelSquare TubingAngle

Initial Mechanical Design Movement driven by up to 4 linear actuators. Heavy Duty “Drawer-like” tracking for stability and guidance

Initial Mechanical Design Sturdy 2-inch square tubing base Clamped under table for added stability Manually adjustable Servo-motors

Initial Mechanical Design 2 part design for movement: Base – Responsible for front and back movement Carriage – Moves forward and back in base and allows for vertical, horizontal, and tilt motions.

Initial Mechanical Design Other ideas for movement include: Cam system or pulleys to amplify movement of actuators Enclosed screw drive or rack and pinion system instead of actuators for linear movement Pneumatic or hydraulic actuators instead of electronic

Initial Mechanical Design Different drawing surface attachments Will separate into 3 “flat” parts for storage: Base Carriage Drawing Surface

Initial Design – Electrical System Client requested the use of joysticks to control motion of easel Design ideas – Hard Wired vs. Digitally Controlled Use of Relays to accommodate low voltage/current joystick and higher voltage/current actuator

Initial Design – Electrical System Circuit requires safety mechanisms including: Master On/Off Switch Fuse or breaker Limit Switch to constrain range of motion Possibility of attachments such as canvas light Method of organizing and concealing wiring etc.

Budget is Most Limiting Factor $ ” Actuator estimates: Around $100 a piece Sliding Tracks: Around $25 a piece – 3 required Aluminum/ Steel Stock: most will be provided by Independent Welding Inc. Joysticks: $12 a piece (2) Relays: $40

Summary Goal is to create an easel that meets the needs of our client and is less expensive than current products. Mechanically we are looking for a safe and simple design. Materials need to be strong and lightweight. Electronics need to be simple yet able to properly control the device.

References bin/search_dies.pl?words=EQUALANGLE bin/search_dies.pl?words=EQUALANGLE Mouser Electronics Catalog 2005