Shepard Test Stand Procurement v1.1¶

This is a newer document based on this one , and you should refer to that original version if you want to see the revision history.

Mechanical System¶

All of the items in the mechanical system are described on the wiki , and detailed information including measurements can be found in the BoM .

• The lumber used to build version 1.0 of the test stand was standard English unit stock, and could be purchased anywhere including Lowes and Home Depot in the U.S.
• The coarse thread drywall screws used as fasteners were standard English unit stock, and could be purchased anywhere including Lowes and Home Depot in the U.S.
• The drawer slide used as a linear guide is PN D80614C-ZP-W from Liberty Hardware .
• Several COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) items were purchased as part of an engine mount kit from Estes Rockets :
  • Estes E Engine Mount Tube (PN 30463)
  • Estes E Engine Retainer Ring (PN 30160)
  • Estes E Spacer Ring (PN 35005)
  • Estes E Engine Block (PN 30174-S) - modified
  • Estes E Engine Hook (PN 35022)

Data Acquisition (DAQ) System¶

The items in the DAQ system are described on the wiki .

• The Arduino Uno used in this project was purchased from Radio Shack , but can also be purchased from vendors like SparkFun . It can also be purchased from the Arduino Store for around the same price if you are willing to wait 15 days shipping time. The Uno used in the version 1.0 test stand was purchased at Radio Shack.
• The Arduino ProtoShield used in the version 1.0 of the test stand was a true Arduino product, and was purchased at Radio Shack for about $20. Not all Radio Shacks will have the ProtoShield in stock though. The ProtoShield can be purchased from the Arduino Store for around $10 more than you'd pay from U.S. based vendors. Similar boards can be purchased from many vendors including AdaFruit for $20 including shipping.
• The Force Sensing Resistor was purchased from SparkFun.
• The Type K Thermocouple used in version 1.0 of the test stand was purchased from Adafruit Industries
• The operational amplifier used to amplify the signal from the FSR in version 1.0 of the test stand was purchased from Mouser Electronics .
• The two 560 Ohm resistors used in version 1.0 were also purchased from Mouser Electronics so that shipping costs could be combined.
• The thermocouple amplifier used in version 1.0 was purchased from Adafruit .
• The FSR cable was made from a left over CAT 5e cable that was on hand. Any inexpensive Ethernet cable should work fine to be disassembled for this purpose. The wires used in soldering the ProtoShield were breadboard jumper wire available from Radio Shack.