We extend our gratitude to all our outstanding sponsors, whose unwavering support has propelled CU Hyperloop to what promises to be our most remarkable year yet. As we stand at this pivotal juncture, it's with great excitement that we update you on our progress. Our manufacturing process is underway and proceeding at an impressive pace. We're thrilled to report that we are on schedule to complete the construction of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) by November 17th, which is six months earlier than last year. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our team and its twenty new members. The early completion of our TBM allows us to do a test dig in Colorado before the official competition. The first in the history of the club. This will provide us with valuable insights and allow us to fine-tune our machine further, ensuring its performance. We are eagerly anticipating the outcomes of the test dig, and will send out invitations once the details are finalized.
An Innovative Approach to Propulsion
Reflecting on last year's machine, the team recognized that the gripper-style propulsion system consumed excessive space and led to soil ingress, prompting the need for an innovative solution. Gripper-style propulsion systems are typically employed in TBMs that dig through rock, due to their simplicity and cost. However, if used in soil, this system allows dirt to get into the machine, since you usually extend a platform to the tunnel face to hold the machine in place. By incorporating inflatables into our design and employing a pneumatic circuit to control gripper states, the grippers increase contact with the tunnel walls while avoiding soil ingress. Each gripper, inflated to 40 psi and controlled from the surface, provides the necessary reaction forces for thrust and torque. This innovative approach not only minimizes soil ingress but also optimizes space, paving the way for more efficient and advanced propulsion systems in the future.
New Talent: Interview with Maryann Gorka
Q: Where did you first hear about the team?
A: I first heard about the team while attending the Engineering Immersion event at CU. This was an event at the school which allowed various STEM-oriented clubs to showcase what they were all about. I was most impressed by CU Hyperloop and felt immediately that I must be part of it. It was their level of professionalism in both their presentation and how they carried themselves that drew me in most.
Q: What are the biggest challenges in your work?
A: I think the biggest challenge I have faced with my work is finding time to do it all. Ultimately, it is my determination to see things through which has allowed me do so well in finding a balance between homework, studying, and time for projects.
Q: What are you most looking forward to?
A: I most look forward to presenting our boring robot at the competition in March. As a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student, it's incredibly gratifying to be able to apply my skills to something tangible, and for lack of a better word, really cool. I am very excited about what we are developing in CU Hyperloop and thoroughly enjoy learning design and manufacturing skills along the way.