Mechanical
AUV
Left to right: Ryan Shaw, Dylan Leier, Lukas Schuler Desnoyers, Karan Salvadi, Allen Chen, John Mabbayad, Nate Katzer, Ryan Buch, Jaeden Rossner, Dani Mackay, Ben Muwanga, Evan Kappes
Not pictured: Abdullah Arif, Daniel Lu, Sam Bachnak, Harnoor Chugh, Jeffery Duong, Mahmoud Zaher, Matthew Ohlmann, William Kusuma, Zahidul Islam Bayzid, Ryan Adib, Tanner Knapton, Luke Kachura
Structures
The revised aluminum frame reduces the number of individual members and simplifies joint geometry compared to the previous iteration, making assembly easier while creating additional space for future actuation features. Redesigned thruster mounts use continuous volume infill geometries to reduce the risk of waterlogging and support foam filling, increasing the AUV’s buoyancy.
Battery Enclosure
To improve thermal management and serviceability of Ogopogo, we relocated the batteries from the center of the control enclosure to an external, custom-machined aluminum enclosure. This results in simpler distribution of power to future enclosures, increased heat transfer and significantly more space within the control enclosure.
Electrical Tray
The electrical tray was redesigned in close collaboration with PCB designers to improve cable management and board placement. The new scaffold has a smaller footprint with pop-in tray holders for easier PCB access. Based on feedback from previous iterations, the tray frame reduces unnecessary structural support and uses custom push-fit fasteners with friction-fit connections to improve accessibility while isolating the tray from known failure points.
Robo Arm
The gripper arm was redesigned for simple, reliable motion to better support evolving challenge requirements. It now operates with a single degree of freedom and uses a straightforward four-bar linkage, reducing mechanical complexity and enabling faster, more efficient iteration on gripper design improvements.
Torpedo
Utilized SOLIDWORKS computational fluid dynamics simulations and weight distribution analysis to improve torpedo stability. The launcher design was refined for more consistent firing and now includes adjustable launch force, enabling further tuning to improve launch stability when needed.
Dropper
The dropper mechanism was redesigned as a standalone module using a single servo and simple rotating mechanism to deploy up to two markers. Its straightforward design improves reliability while allowing for quick repairs and modifications during competition.