Testing Procedures

           RC Land Sailor should match several specifications by the time the final solution is ready to be tested.  The model should be able to complete the courses in not only quickly, but with stability as well.  An unstable design would mean that there will be something wrong with the design produced as well as the research collected.  The device should be driven by the wind, and all onboard components must be powered by the onboard battery.  There are no loose components and the frame should be able to withstand the weight of all the added components once assembled.  The final product should be able to make turns cleanly on flat surfaces, which will be the terrain of the testing site.  Obviously, the battery will last for the duration of the test.  Lastly, the goal for the land sailor will be to complete the tests with the highest score possible.

            When the process comes to testing, course completion time and stability will be two of the biggest criteria.  The device is tested on the ability to make turns cleanly and stay upright for the test.  This ties into course time, as the more stable the device will be, the greater the handling and therefore the better the time.  The components on the rig, such as the receiver, battery, and motors, should be tightly secured.  Loose components will not only look bad, but have the possibility of hindering the device during testing.  The motors and sail should move smoothly and they should not jerk or struggle when turning.  The wheels should also be secured so that they do not wobble and throw off the design during testing.  This will definitely affect the efficiency and overall effect of the land sailor.  The receiver will be standard with not much to test, but battery selection will be important.  The energy output versus how much the sailor needs will be taken into account through the group’s calculations, and battery choice compared to weight will be noted.

            The testing will be administered by the Systems engineering II teachers, Mr. Cuttrell and Ms. Green with the testing forms in hand.  The evaluation will be based on the group requirements, as listed above.  The land sailor will be tested by the group because they are the ones who know how the model runs.  The group should have practiced with the rig beforehand to get a feel for the handling and how to control the land sailor during the testing phase. 

            The location for testing will be in a parking lot on Sandy Hook.  Due to the disrepair of the school’s parking lot, testing will most likely take place in one of the beach parking lots.  Because the parking lot is in in an open area, there will be a large amount of wind, which is vital to our testing.  The flat ground will make sure that any instability issues are the design’s fault, not due to surface protrusions or divots. 

Testing Stages

Test 1- Assessing the Alternate Solutions (Assessment preliminary)

·         Conditions: Dry, Stationary

·         Equipment: All alternate solution designs

1.      Group designs alternate solutions to the problem

2.      Group meets to discuss pros and cons of each design

3.      Pros and cons analyzation

Test 2- Choosing the Solution (Comparison secondary)

·         Conditions: Dry, Stationary

·         Equipment: All alternate solution designs

1.      Pros and cons of alternate solutions are compared to what is required of the final design

2.      Group chooses the design based on comparison

3.      Final design is drawn up to be built

Test 3- Construct the design (Assessment tertiary)

·         Conditions: Dry, Stationary

·         Equipment: Building supplies listed in Descriptive Abstract, power tools to put together the materials.

1.      Equipment is gathered and building tools are set up

2.      Parts are assembled as outlined in the chosen solution

3.      Assembly is double checked to reduce deviations and flaws

Test 4- Design evaluation (Validation quaternary)

·         Conditions: Dry, Moving/stationary

·         Equipment: Specifications list, grading evaluation

1.      Group arrives at the first testing site with rig to be evaluated

2.      Design evaluation takes place

3.      Group makes adjustments according to criticism

Test 5- Maneuverability Test (Validation quinary)

·         Conditions: Dry, Moving

·         Equipment: Traffic cones, stopwatch, chalk

1.      Group moves with rig and administrators to the second testing site

2.      Group sets up a figure 8 course with cones and chalk to mark the starting line

3.      Course evaluation takes place based on criteria/ completion time compared to other group times

4.      Course is disassembled when testing stage is finished

Test 6- Speed/acceleration Test (Validation Senary)

·         Conditions: Dry, Moving

·         Equipment: Traffic cones, stopwatch, chalk

1.      Group sets up straight line course with cones and chalk to mark the starting line

2.      Course evaluation takes place based on criteria/ completion time compared to other group times

3.      Course disassembled and testing is completed.

Testing Area Visuals

A parking lot similar to the one used for testing

A workbench similar to the ones wherewhere several tests will take place