Tuesdays, Week 4: try, try and try again

This week the vacuum arm and drill arm continued to grow.  Problems that came up last week were solved, re-solved, and then re-solved again.  In addition to facing new problems, we also had a new face in class today, August!  

Vacuum team split into two groups and began experimenting: how to extend the vacuum tube, and how to cut down a specific joint in order to loosen it.

Noe and Sophie began tinkering with how to make a jig for the PVC.  the measurements of the wood and the PVC didn't quite line up so they had to try a bunch of times to figure out a way to keep the slippery pipe in place.  

Building the first jig!

Second iteration.  Sophie and Noe realize that its not quite tight enough, and set out to find a sliver of wood to fill the gap.

Final solution!  Sophie and Noe find the only piece of wood in the shop that could fill the gap!

Finally they can start setting about on using the hacksaw to trim the joint to the length that they want.

Meanwhile in the other vacuum team set about figuring out how to extend the range of the vacuum hose, as well as how to wear the backpack on their backs!  

Munir and August tinker with the interface between the PVC and the vacuum hose.

Munir and August make measurements and test materials for the vacuum-backpack.

On the drill-arm side of the shop, Nolan and Jaro experiment with how to attach the device they made last week to the wearers body so it doesn't feel as heavy. 

Jaro and Nolan decide to add webbing straps around the wearer's torso, but their first iteration turns out to be uncomfortable!  They scrounge for new and different materials and settle on using a webbing strap holder as well.  They have to figure out how best to affix this, and then hot to get the straps around the wearer.  After many tries, it finally works!