The IoT4Ag team was able to bring our fully assembled robot to ACRE research park, where we tested the functionality the auger system. Drilling in soft soil was very successful and could drill almost 3 feet into the ground, but the robot had trouble with hard soil. This was a great proof of concept and allowed us to give design suggestions for the future of the project. Additionally, as predicted earlier in the design process, truss elements will be added on the angled aluminum to mitigate deflection of the entire system when under stresses. (from drill vibration, vehicle movement, etc.) 

For many of the parts I was able to utilize the rapid prototyping lab to quickly test parts. We ended up keeping some of these printed parts in the final design because they met design requirements and did not fail in tests.

This is a view of the bearing and 80/20 plate assembly on the linear actuation system. The custom plate allows interface with the threaded rod through a bearing and shaft collar, as well as 4mm screw mounting into the 80/20 rail. 

In order to mount the drill physically to the threaded track (slider) we needed to accurately measure dimensions of the drill using a digital caliper and manufacture a casing with specific mounting locations. This was difficult as measurement of certain geometries with a caliper proved to be a challenge and recognizing critical dimensions was even more difficult (figuring out what geometry we actually needed in our casing to constrain the drill).