SeaPerch Remotely Operated Vehicle, Construction Manual, Page: 52 / 110

OPTIONAL PROCEDURE 2.4
– FILM CANISTERS & 0.078” MOTOR SHAFTS
SeaPerch ROV Construction Manual
– Version 2010-04NW
2.4-2
3. Carefully remove any plastic burrs from the hole in the bottom of the thruster
housing, which may be left after the drilling process. When using the
standard plastic vials, made of a rather soft material, some burrs usually
remain in or around the holes after drilling. Burrs may also remain when
using 35mm film canisters. It is essential to remove these burrs, as they can
make it difficult to get the motor shaft to pass through the hole during the
waterproofing process. To clear plastic burrs, remove the 5/64
” drill bit from
the drill and pass it by hand through the hole, from both directions, a number
of times. As the drill bit shaft at the non-cutting end of the bit starts to emerge
from the hole, cut or scrape off any burrs that come through with that solid
part of the bit. Repeat this process until the hole is
completely clear .
4. Polish the holes that you drilled in the bottoms of the thruster housings to the
perfect size using the shaft of a running motor, as follows. Locate the motor
and test wires that were used in Procedure 2.2, and connect the test leads to
the battery (the polarity does not matter) using small pieces of electrical tape.
Carefully push the spinning shaft of the motor into the hole and hold it there
for a few seconds, until the motor spins freely without slowing down. Do not
hold it there too long, or at an angle, as you might melt the plastic and overly
enlarge the hole, making the shaft too loose. If that should happen, obtain a
replacement film canister and repeat this procedure.
5. After polishing is completed for all three thruster housings, disconnect the test
leads from the battery and remove the test wires from the motor. Set the test
wires aside for use later, in Unit 3.
Procedure 2.4 – Continued