The final product for the mini-sculpture features a long, elevated track that has multiple downwards slopes and a drop into two separate baskets. The marbles that drop into these two baskets are dictated by their color scale ("warm" or "cool" colors), and is decided by the "death star" mechanism before the drop, which takes the inputs from a light sensor and sorts the marbles accordingly.
In addition to automation when sorting colors, there is an option for manual sorting based on two touch sensor "buttons", which can override the color sensor, allowing for the user to manually sort the marbles into each of the two hoppers.
Original coding flowchart, which incorrectly dictated the flow of code from the sensor to the paddle.
Code: As a result of issues with using light sensors connecting to the code, the code system was completely changed. The code was redone multiple times to allow for the code to run simultaneously and consistently trigger the color sensor. In addition, it was expanded to be compatible with added human input to move the paddles with user input, allowing for manual sorting of the marbles.
Mechanism Movement: The updated code had complications with returning the paddles to the neutral position (in the middle), and would instead alternate between not moving at all, or conversely pushing the paddle into the wall at full motor strength. While the L3 pin prevented the mechanism from breaking both the track and the motor, it was decided to instead keep the paddle in the "left" position, and to only activate the mechanism when a lighter color ball passed under the sensor. Thus, a darker color ball would not trigger movement in the sensor, whilst a light color ball would.
Mounting: Due to instability in the original mounting of the hoppers, the position and orientation of the hoppers was changed to be both closer and higher up. In addition, long connected pieces were added underneath, securing the hopper from all sides and allowing them to be mounted at an angle.