Week 1&2 (January 11-22 2021)
This week our team met to discuss the next steps for this project as we move ahead this term. Since we are now in a "state of emergency" due to COVID-19, things are a little unclear as to how they will progress for the rest of the term. WatiMAKE is currently closed and they are in the process of figuring out if they can open for FYDP prints.
As a group we have decided to focus on subsystems before meeting up to integrate the entire system. This week we aim to enhance the website, begin creating our brochure, start creating the electrical system and 3D printing the motor and screw mechanism. Furthermore, we will ensure that we have the proper coding applications and software downloaded to connect the electrical and app systems. To stay on-top of tasks we have created a Trello board to ensure that every team member knows what they have to work on for the upcoming week.
We have decided to hold off on the hardware/physical build as it is important to ensure that the smaller sub systems work before creating the overall casing for the project. To simulate the casing that we will be using for this project, plastic containers and cardboard boxes should suffice for initial prototyping.
What we accomplished in these two weeks:
- We were able to set up the electrical components and complete the circuitry required for the project. We tested our ultrasonic sensor to make sure that it works, as well as our one-way speaker and motor.
- Sent off parts to get 3D printed (courtesy of a classmates' printer) for the screw mechanism and motor mount
- Launch webpage and brochure
We also began working on the software this week. We created the following systems on Arduino and Node Red. The Arduino system is coded to do the following below according to the flow diagram.
The NodeMCU microprocessor checks for the dispense message and sends sensor data to the MQTT broker. This continuously loops on a set interval. Similarly, the Node Red dashboard reads the sensor data and visualizes it. It then checks the current time and the dispense flag to determine if the dispense message should be sent to the NodeMCU microprocessor. This process is also run on a loop with a set interval. Overall, this allows the NodeMCU controller and Node Red dashboard to effectively communicate and carry out the expected tasks.
Node Red uses a GUI to program. It works through drag and drop elements which is unconventional to traditional programming. The following flow was created to process information on the Node Red dashboard:
As well, the visual dashboard was created using drag and drop UI elements in Node Red:
Next week we plan on testing the load sensor and refining the 3D printed parts as needed. We also have a meeting with our professors to determine what the best course of action is going forward regarding the physical build and how to pivot incase we do not have access to the machine shop.
Week 3&4 (January 25- Feb 5 2021)
We worked on the electrical system more and it is coming together nicely as all the sensors seem to be working as expected (wooohooo!!). We are testing the load sensor and eventually we will have to calibrate it as it is very sensitive right now. The load sensor will be used to help with distribution amounts and ensure we are dispensing the correct amount of food.
WatiMAKE has decided to open up! YAAAY! During these two weeks we were able to modify and finalize the CAD parts before sending them in to be printed. Once that was done we sent in the parts to get laser cut and 3D printed. With these parts available, we can now mount the motor and load sensor and slowly begin testing the integrated system.
What we accomplished this week
- Printed load cell mount
- Tested sensors and load cell sensor
- Print laser cut parts
- Logo design
In other exciting FYDP news, we finally came up with a logo for Canine Companion. Its simple, clean, and representative of our target market. Check it out below :)
