Mounting for tracking system in CEA greenhouse

[lionfish0]

Design, procure, build the mount required to support early version of tracking system & modify the system to secure to the mount.

Sketch: [3d model]

Tasks:

• Find an appropriate Square U-Bolt e.g. this [but this is too short].
• Find plate to mount to U-bolt
• Find an appropriate stage lighting yoke
• Modify current system or 3d print new one to fit yoke
• Attach internal components sufficiently well
• Add safety cable

[lionfish0]

The beam:

[lionfish0]

Quick mount plan: straps.

As a quick alternative, let's use ratchet straps to mount the tracking system.

Step 1: Attach straps to beam

Step 2: Attach using second pair of straps, the tracking system to the first set,

Step 3: Use a wire cable to provide safety protection to the system (to avoid it falling)

• Example ratchet straps (link)

  

• Example safety line (link)

  

[lionfish0]

From Scott:

I read through the notes and I am sure we can figure out a bracket to attach the systems. Once they are in hand and we look at them in the space, we can solve that issue one way or another. One quick idea in addition to u-bolts or straps is to use Unistrut with bolts and create a sandwich around the beam.

Summary:

• We could send the tracking systems as they are, and leave it to the team there to get them mounted! [need to confirm with Frances this is ok].

[lionfish0]

Scott has a mounting system design: Scott's system has two (cylindrical) threaded rods that pass through the tracking system: At the moment he's been able to fit them through the 'hatches' on either side of the system, but the new version clearly needs this taking into account -- we need two holes for these rods.

I think the only critical dimensions are the spacing between the two rods (s) and their diameter (d). Anyway things to think about: a, b and s: The position of the two rods from the top/bottom and their spacing. c: The distance from the front (I guess this is quite flexible).d(⌀): The diameter of the hole: I assume we want this quite snug, but I guess if there's a bit of space it doesn't matter (best that the hole is too big than too small!).

Notes:

• Besides the tripod mount (for the field trials here), we also need mounts for the greenhouses in Ohio.
• Scott has designs a neat rig that let's us angle and tilt the camera (basically a custom-version of the stage lighting holders).
• To Confirm Rods are 1/4 inch diameter.
• To Confirm Slot spacing = 2 inches (centre-to-centre) and the slot size = 9/16 in x 1-1/8 in. 
• To Confirm spacing between centres of the two rods 3-2/16 inches to 4-14/16 inches. But I guess @Chris aim for about 4inches, e.g. 95mm to 108mm.
• To Confirm The diameter needs to comfortably fit 1/4 inch diameter, so let's make it 10mm-12mm diameter.