Applications and Implications
More on the final project.
A lot has changed since I proposed the idea for my final project in Week 1 . The one thing that changed the most is that I'm more aware of possibilities and can ahve more realistic expectation in regards to the final product and the process of producing it.
What will it do?
My first idea was to fabricate a self-watering planter that would work based on a timer. I realized that it would be more practical to design an external body that can put in any existing planter to measure the soild moisture and water plant based on its input, it will also connect remotely to a smartphone to track progress. This is not a new invention as it has been done before extensively.
Who has done what beforehand?
During my research, I came accross these guides on self-watering plants:
IKEA's Self-Watering Planters
Intructables - Automatic Gardening System
Orchids Self-Watering Pots
However, later on, I decided to fabricate an external body that can be added to any existing planter. I saw these waterig globes that are very close to what I want to create.
What will you design?
The product will include the following:
one board, with a soil sensor as an input, and a water pump as an output, and an ESP board to connect to a smartphone.
A laser-cut acrylic case for the board
a 3D printed body that works as a water reservoir.
What materials and components will you use? Where do thy come from? How much do they cost?
All needed components and parts are available at the lab, except for the water pump which I bought from a pet's shop for QR 65 (around $18). This is the Bill of Materials needed:
What part of this system will be made? What processes will be used?
3D print of the external body that acts as a reservoir.
Laser-cut acrylic case for electronics.
Printed Circuit Board.
What questions need to be answered?
I need to make decisions on the sizes of the materials I'll use - this will depend on the boeard's size.
I need to decide wether or not I'll be including the remote-ability of the product - depending on time.
How will it be evaluated?
During the process, I will have to make sure to include all the following:
* 2D and 3D design (CAD for laser cutting and 3D printing, as well as 2D design of PCB)
* additive and subtractive fabrication processes (3D printing and laser cutting and PCB milling)
* electronics design and production (PCB Design and production)
* microcontroller interfacing and programming (PCB Programming)
* system integration and packaging (Board packaging)
To see where things are going, you can have a look at the project development plan and the final project .