Dec 10, 2024

Testing completed:
 - Used hydraulic scissor jack cart to test raising/lowering service tray onto front-end, with only manipulators, placement of jack table done by hand because it isn't freely moving on the plane of the lift table.
 - Removal and insertion of the center post pin with indirect view to FE.
 - Application and removal of VCR gaskets on HVFT water connection array with 3D printed tool, only for 1/2" size (service tray side of VCR joints).
 - Checking whether the VCR joints can be done up with the service tray 'lifted' (not fully connected but the screws on the HVFT bracket are slid onto their slots)


Observation/notes:
 - Lift table slope creates some difficulty bringing the service tray up.
 - Effective misalignment of service tray changes with the degree in which it is 'brought up' because the ribbon connectors start to compress and exert load, tipping the service tray. There isn't a 'CG' that we can place the table under which will balance the service tray throughout the attachment operation.
 - Service tray is large and will not be fully supported by the base jig without custom jig on top.
 - Using a clamped piece of 2x4 wood on the jack cart worked to increase the supported region during testing, something similar with the base jig may work.
 - The service tray needs to be brought up such that the HVFT is ~1" from being fully engaged before the screws on the bracket can be upturned and start to engage. Likely the bus bar connectors will have started engaging before this is achieved (bus bar connectors roughly 2" in depth), this can create complications because the loading on the base jig will be really uneven at that point.
 - The pin for the center post can be easier to handle if we added a handle or an extender. A makeshift handle was made using tape and scrap U-channel nearby.
 - We managed to remove and attach the pin with the HTV table facing East using a remote camera view, but in practice it would be ideal if we could rotate the front end with service tray supported by some jig between orientations where the HVFT and center post are more easily accessed. This will require the ribbons and the alignment cylinders on the HVFT to transmit some force onto the lift table to overcome any friction the base jig may have on the lift table during rotation.
 - With the brackets on the HVFT on, we were able to start and even tighten the VCR joint closest to the corner bracket (using low clearance wrench, no photo).
 - Difficult to get at all brackets on HVFT and do up, will need cameras irrespective of the orientation, did not do up the bracket yet so we don't know how careful we need to be when inching each up and establishing the HVFT connection.
 - Difficult to get at and rotate screws on HVFT bracket, with torque tool due to proximity with HVFT structure, a longer bit on the torque tool will be beneficial. Note, using an Allen key with the manipulator gripper is difficult because of the same issue.
 - VCR wrenches slippery without catching features, will add pin for better grip
 - If 'fence' on HVFT for water lines is taken off it is quite easy to loose track of where the lines are supposed to return to, should have markings/labels for where the water lines need to return.
 - HTV side ribbons bend inward instead of outward.

Recommendations/follow up items/questions + answers as appropriate:
 - Consider adding grabbing features and an extender attachment for the center post pin: (Dec 16, 2024) Michael agreed to cut the tab and cross-pin the center post pin to match the HTV water connector pins.
 - Can we change the screws used on the HVFT bracket to be longer so it can engaging before the bus bars? (Dec 16, 2024) Michael will look into.
 - Can we add a lip to the HVFT top brackets to keep the screws in place and not fall out during tightening? (Dec 16, 2024) Michael will look into.
 - Consider more items that may help simplify the brackets on the HVFT
 - Is it possible to re-orient the center post holes to be toward the HVFT instead of aligned with the HTV platform axis, this may avoid the need for re-orienting the FE when raising/lowering the service tray. (Dec 16, 2024) Michael will look into.
 - Need to capture effect of bus bars connection in future testing. (Dec 16, 2024) Albert will design and send something to the shop to work with Phoenix's mock up.
 - Need to repeat service tray testing with base jig.
 - Check if ribbons are bending in the right direction. (Dec 16, 2024) Yes.
 - Perform full service tray coupling with actual machined brackets to inform coupling operation (3D printed brackets currently not strong enough and deflect unrealistically).(Dec 16, 2024) received spares from Michael.
 - Need modification to wrench to prevent slippage. (Dec 16, 2024) Albert and Aaron working on this (will simply add cross-pin)
 - VCR gasket tool for smaller size VCR's to be made.(Dec 16, 2024) Chad to do.
 - Real deal VCR gasket tools to be made out of soft metal to prevent scratching sealing surfaces in operation
 - If not possible to do with base jig, possibly a suspended plate with turnbuckles instead will be sufficient to support the service tray during attachment/removal operations. (Dec 16, 2024) Discussed with Michael the possibility of changing the HVFT 'cables' to threaded rod to also facilitate ejection of the service tray on the HVFT side (necessary to disconnect bus bar connections).