Z-Intake

The Z-intake was fabricated from UHMW plastic using a lathe in the Undergraduate Machine Shop. The Z-intake provides open water to the center thruster of the AUV, allowing water to flow through the center of the vehicle. The center thruster can thus control the altitude (z-position) in water. An addition to providing water flow, the z-intake provides structural support for the AUV when it is out of water, taking the weight off the bottom acrylic shell.