Test #1 data
The first test that we did was the heat of the nichrome wire. With an electrical current running trough the wire we managed to heat the wire to a temperature of around 104 degrees. when making the wire smaller trying to increase the temperature we ended up creating a dead short which made the wire not heat up.
Test #2 data
We tested the water resistance of out benches cover. I created a smaller version of the cover that i could fit in a sink so that testing would be easier. The difference between the smaller version and the finial version is that i used hot glue to polish up the smaller version. After running water over it for about 30 seconds none of it leaked through.
Changes or adjustments
After testing the smaller model of the cover, the one with hot glue i realized that the actual cover could use a hot glue finish as well. 3 massive hot glue sticks later i was finished with the finial cover. to ensure that the finial cover worked i pored a cup of water on it and and it rolled right off of it. WE changed the heating wire by coiling it and shaping it in a zig zag formation to heat the bench thoroughly. This also increased the temperature to about 114 degrees.
summary
when trying to figure out the heating mechanics and why it wasn't getting as hot as we wanted we asked for help from one of our advisers and told us why it wasn't working.