Among the major systems in a woodworking shop is the dust collection system. Woodworking produces huge amounts of wood shaving and dust, which is considered a health hazard. Most of the dust particles remain airborne for an extended amount of time. The dust collection system removes and holds all the shaving and dust. This system is made of a strong vacuum/blower, a dust holding bag and pipes extending to each machine. For an efficient use of this system, its advised to concentrate the vacuuming power to each machine by using blast gates that allows dust collection for a certain machine at a time. Most commercially available blast gates are manual so i decided to automate this system and make my workshop more efficient and healthy.
The video explains how they work and how to make them.
First, i used tinker cad to sketch and design the circuit and make sure everything works properly. Then i used my Arduino uno and electronics kit to assemble my design. Using the Arduino IDE i wrote the proper code and made sure it works without a glitch (which took much more time and mental energy than i expected). Finally i used scrap cardboard and a hot glue gun to build my design.
Schematic view on tinker cad
Tinker cad enabled me to design and wire my components. I used an arduino uno, a micro servo, led lights, push buttons and a lcd screen to display the state of the gate.
Circuit on tinker cad
This video shows how it works.
Automatic blast gate model
GATES CLOSED, RED LIGHT.
GATES OPEN, GREEN LIGHT.
The idea behind this project is to control the blast gate for the dust collection system. If you push the right button, the gates open and the LCD screen shows "GATES OPEN" and if you push the left button the gates close and the LCD screen shows "GATES CLOSED".
Unfortunately videos taken by my phone are not working for an unknown reason. Wrong format issue.
Backside
"JOY STICK"
Backside
The following is the Arduino C code on the IDE
The most challenging part was the coding. I find it extremely difficult to fully grasp the language and arrange the code properly. But i always reach my goal after several attempts. The Arduino website and our instructors helped me get through most of my obstacles. But i also know that it shouldn't be that difficult, i just need to practice more.
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