Session: 15-01-01: ASME International Undergraduate Research and Design Exposition

Paper Number: 98830

98830 - Rover Design for Mars Missions 

The ASME chapter of University of North Texas is working on the development of a rover, bringing together students of different majors to compete at the University Rover Competition. Teams must demonstrate how we have tackled the competition by producing a Gannt Chart in a scheduled manner, submitting updates on progress of producing a rover, cost involved in the rover to not exceed $18,000 dollars, and performance of the rover. 

The physical performance of the rover can be broken down into different categories: science mission, extreme retrieval and delivery mission, and equipment service mission, autonomous navigation mission, and an optional drone mission. The science mission is the course that involves the rover using a soil extractor, developed by the team, which can determine if the soil can produce life for crops. The extreme retrieval and delivery mission consist of a one-meter drop test and a driven obstacle course that the rover must pick up and carry the payload back to the starting line in a timely manner. The equipment Servicing mission show cases the rovers arm moveability, ability to pick up objects, manipulate its surroundings, and type on a keyboard. For the autonomous navigation mission, the rover will navigate a driven circuit with its ability to use computer vision a course no greater than 2 km. The drone must not bump into objects while conducting a mission to provide reconnaissance and coordination to the rover. 

The use of CAD/CAM modeling in Solidworks, fusion360 & Mastercam, Python coding, and finite element analysis using ANSYS & Solidworks are employed in this work. The rover’s concept comes from extensive research of design breakdowns of components, electrical circuit design with motor driven calculations, and weight and size constraints. Sub-teams brainstormed to produce designs that would later be applied with finite element analysis under limitations set by the competition specifications of loads, and judgmental procedures. Materials used to make components for construction of the rover to help limit the scope of 3D additive, machining, and Casting manufacturing methods. Later, designs where integrated modularity design assembly focuses on construction.

The rover designed by the team is under the weight requirement of about ten percent, without an arm attached. The team is composed by a total of twenty-three people who aided in the production of the rover, and currently fifteen active members of various majors working on the completion of the rover. 

This work will show the components breakdown of the chassis, the FEA simulated model, modular manufacturable design, and ports for exchangeability that are supported by the chassis.

Presenting Author: Shazad Ali University of North Texas

Presenting Author Biography: Shazad Ali is the current American Society of Mechanical Engineers of the University of North Texas President, a student organization that helps prepare the standard by means of introduction of guest speakers and project workshops. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers inspires undergraduate and graduate students to learn new skills and which are later applied to projects. <br/><br/>While enrolled as a Bachelor Student in Mechanical Engineering, the President serves as the official representative, liaison, and leadership role for all organization matters. Scouting out potential avenues for projects for members to enjoy and to learn something new. To keep A.S.M.E. active, coordinating a team of 7 officers with their specific roles together, and having game nights to keep it relaxing.

Authors:

Shazad Ali University of North Texas
Sean Ali university of north texas
Jonas Ahonen university of north texas
John Creley university of north texas
Ben Levine university of north texas
Maurizio Manzo University of North Texas