Week 5 - Journal

Ideation

Tell us about your assignment's idea for this week. Why do you care about this idea? What inspired you? (Please include images or links to sources of inspiration)

I am interested in generative art, a form of art that is generated by an autonomous system so when I was looking for inspiration for this assignment, I encountered the doodling bot that is in the photo and I immediately decided to make one!

Tool Chain

Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?

Software:

  • Tinkercad: Used for circuit design and simulation

  • I also used "SmartDraw" to make a schematic circuit.

Circuit component:

  • DC motor

  • LED

  • 330 ohm resistor

  • on/off switch

  • 5v adaptor

  • wires

  • Avometer for troubleshooting

Enclosure

  • two pringles cups

  • 3 markers

  • double-faced tape

  • electrical tape

  • glue gun

Design/Preparation Process

Explain the design and/or preparation process of your assignment. How did you use the tool or software to design and/or prepare your assignment before fabrication/implementation?

Circuit Diagram

Circuit design

In my project, I needed a DC motor to move the robot and I needed to connect an LED to indicate the power connectivity.

I connected a 330 ohms resistor in series with the LED so the resistor works as a current limiter. Then I connected this branch in parallel with the motor to ensure they both function optimally.

I connected a switch in series with the two parallel branches to ensure that it controls the current flow in the whole circuit.

I connected the power source to the circuit making sure that the components with polarity are connected properly.

Simulation

In Tinkercad, on a small breadboard, I connected the LED with the resistor and defined the resistor value to be 330 ohms.

I connected the DC motor with the pervious branch, one terminal with the cathode of the LED and the other terminal with the resistor.

I connected the switch, one terminal with the LED and motor and the other with the negative of the power source.

I connected the positive of the power source on the same node where the motor and resistor are connected.

I defined the voltage source to have 5 volts output and I have two reasons why not to use 9 volts power source. First, the current flowing through the LED will be high that it might burn the LED (according to the simulation, the curent will be 20 mA and the LED takes maximum 21mA). Also, when I tried to plug the motor with the 9v adaptor, the robot was jumping but the 5v adaptor gave it a smoother motion.

you can find the circuit here.

vlc-record-2022-08-22-12h05m07s-brave_eqNFG9tQ6E.mp4-.mp4

Simulation

Development/Implementation Process

Explain the development/implementation process of your assignment. How did you use the machine/tool to manufacture or implement the design of your assignment?

VID_20220821_090238.mp4

Mechanism testing

Circuit Connection on breadboard

VID_20220821_134447.mp4

Testing the connection

Mechanism testing

  • I started by designing the body of the robot using a pringles cup and 3 markers then I placed the motor on top of it and fixed it using double-faced tape.

  • I tried to connect several loads to the motor's shaft to make the robot move.

  • I tried the 9v and the 5v adaptors to see the effect on the motion and I decided to use the 5v because it makes it move smoothly.

circuit implementation

  • After making sure the mechanism is working, I connected the rest if the components on the breadboard, the LED, the resistor, and the switch.

  • I used alligators and jumper wires to make the connections and tested the circuit before mounting it.

Mounting the components within the enclosure

  • I cut the second pringles cup to make the head of the robot. I made cuts for the switch, the LED, the power socket, and the motor.

  • I changed the wires to small cat6 wires so the circuit fits inside the robot head.

  • I used electrical tape to connect the wires and make sure everything is insulated.

  • I fixed each component in its place using double-faced tape.

  • I fixed the head to the body using glue gun.

voilĂ  !

VID_20220821_143316.mp4
VID_20220821_145319.mp4

Overcoming Challenges

What kinds of challenges or problems did you face while doing the assignment, tutorials, or exercises? How did you solve them? Did you ask for help from an instructor or peer? Please provide a link to the tutorial or article that you used to solve your problem (if any)

Problem 1: wiring size

The jumpers and alligators are quite large in size and I couldn't fit them within my enclosure.

solution

I used cat6 wires and cut them into pieces small enough to fit within.

Problem 2: fixing wires with components

I didn't have tin wire to solder the components and the wires.

solution

I used a pair or pliers to wrap the wire around the terminals of components then used electrical tape for insulation.

wires reduction

WOW!

What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?

A piece of art created by my robot!

Weekly Digest [OPTIONAL]

Tell us about any other cool things that you've made this week: in the Hands-on activity, tutorial examples, exercises, or any other cool mini-project that you tried out aside from the assignment.

Sumo car Makeathon!

My team's car came last in the fight competition but i enjoyed the process xD

Assignment Design Files