Weakly Team Progress

During the initial phase of our project, we organized a session where team members shared their ideas and collectively decided on the top three concepts to pursue further. This meeting aimed to gather a wide range of ideas from all team members within a specific timeframe. Each member actively contributed by presenting their project ideas and providing insights based on their expertise. Following the idea sharing session, we engaged in thorough discussions and evaluations to assess the feasibility and potential impact of each idea. Through collaborative decision-making, we selected the following top three ideas:

1. Automated irrigation system

2. Smart lock

3. Microturbine

This week, as we mentioned last in our meeting, our team had an important discussion with our advisor. We were tasked with choosing one of the three preliminary project ideas we had identified. It was a thoughtful dialogue as each concept presented merits that could satisfy different interests within our diverse group. After considering factors like the fields it would involve, its potential impact, and our shared passions, we unanimously agreed on the automated irrigation system. It appeared to be a very compelling project idea that would allow participation from almost all of our combined strengths and backgrounds.

We're glad we took the time for that team discussion, as it has focused our joint energies moving forward. This week as a group was about formalizing that decision. While there is work ahead in designing and prototyping the system, we believe choosing a topic we unified behind sets us up well as collaborators throughout the duration of the project.

On the third week as a team we only had a meeting on Friday with our advisor. We discussed how our next steps are going to be and other important things, otherwise individually did preliminary research - trying to get a basic overview and understanding of the project by browsing over some introductory papers and websites.

This week, we as a team held a meeting on Monday to discuss task allocation for the Automated Irrigation System project. Given the project's scope and the need for expertise from different departments, we aimed to distribute tasks fairly among team members to utilize their knowledge and skills effectively. Here's a summary of the task allocation:

Software Department:

Responsible for the overall system development, including backend and frontend components.

Developing a user-friendly interface for controlling and monitoring the irrigation system.

Electrical Department:

Designing and implementing the electrical system for the project.

Developing control and automation mechanisms for regulating water flow and irrigation schedules.

Mechanical Department:

Designing and manufacturing mechanical components required for the irrigation system.

Ensuring proper functionality and compatibility with other system elements.

Electromechanical Department:

Integrating the electrical and mechanical systems.

Designing and implementing interfaces between different components.

Civil Department:

Conducting site surveys and assessments.

Designing and implementing relevant civil infrastructure.

Environmental Department:

Assessing and mitigating potential environmental impacts of the project.

Implementing sustainable practices and considering environmental regulations.

Chemical Engineering Department:

Analyzing and optimizing chemical processes involved in the project.

Ensuring proper handling and storage of chemicals.

By allocating tasks in this manner, we aim to leverage the expertise of each department and promote effective collaboration. The progress made in task allocation sets a solid foundation for the successful implementation of the Automated Irrigation System.

This week our team focused on contracting proposal drafts and then the  final one. the preparation and implementation of an automated irrigation system for IETP . The purpose of this system is to optimize water usage, reduce labour costs, and improve overall efficiency in maintaining the irrigation needs of the designated area. This proposal provides a comprehensive overview of the system's benefits, components, implementation plan, and estimated costs.

This proposal is contains: Objectives( Efficient water usage, Labour cost reduction, and Enhanced plant health), Components of the Automated Irrigation System(Sensor,Actuators, Communication Network, Control system), Implementation Plan( Controller Set-up, Sensor Installation, Training and Maintenance), Estimated Costs(Equipment and Components, Installation, Training), and conclusion

On week  6 every team member was task to do technical work in our own discipline. Some of the key focus was on voltage drop,water demand, pipe size, and pressure requirement . the safety precautions necessary for automated irrigation systems, as well as the voltage drop for different irrigation systems. In our project, it is imperative to prioritize safety measures in order to ensure the system operates optimal.

Pipe sizing calculations consider factors such as desired flow rates, allowable pressure losses, and material properties. The Hazen-Williams equation, Manning's equation, or Colebrook-White equation may be used to calculate pipe sizes depending on the specific requirements of the system.

Various methods and equations are used to estimate crop water requirements, such as the Penman-Monteith equation, which considers weather data like temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation to calculate potential evapotranspiration (PET).

Additional factors to consider: Safety factor: It's recommended to add a safety factor of 10-20% to account for unexpected variations in pressure.

Pump performance: The pump selected for the irrigation system should be able to deliver the required flow rate at the calculated pressure.

Pressure regulation: Depending on the system design, pressure regulators may be needed to maintain consistent pressure at different points in the irrigation system.

This week, our group made progress on key aspects of our smart irrigation system project and through individual research activities:

Key Deliverables

• Application for Workshop Access

• An application letter outlining our qualifications and benefits was drafted.

Research on Efficiency Metrics

• A report summarizing key metrics to evaluate automated irrigation system efficiency was compiled.

Research Areas

• Remote control of irrigation systems using IoT platforms

• Construction of earth dams and engineering requirements

Knowledge Sharing

• Relevant resources like documentation, videos and articles were exchanged via group chat.

Self-Directed Learning

• Individuals pursued additional research through independent readings and videos.

Collaboration

• Documenting our findings deepened collective understanding through remote work.

During this week, our team made significant progress on multiple fronts, contributing to the overall development of the project. Here are the key achievements:

• Authorization of the Application: We successfully completed the authorization process for the application, ensuring proper access control and security measures.

• Sheet Metal Base Preparation: Recognizing the need for a sturdy foundation, we focused on preparing the sheet metal base to hold the entire component. Following industry standards, we meticulously adhered to the necessary steps, including:

• Implementing safety precautions by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring a well-ventilated work environment.

• Thoroughly cleaning the metal surface by removing dirt, rust, paint, or coatings.

• Ensuring proper fit-up and clamping to align the sheet metal pieces securely.

• Setting up the welding equipment with the recommended parameters for sheet metal welding.

• Employing suitable welding techniques, such as short, intermittent welds, to minimize heat input and prevent distortion.

• Automated Irrigation System Interface and Prototype: Our software engineering team members, in collaboration, focused on developing the interface and prototype for the automated irrigation system. The accomplishments include:

• Conducting research on the Arduino IoT Cloud platform to enable remote monitoring and control capabilities.

• Setting up a test Arduino account and acquiring knowledge on streaming sensor data to the cloud.

• Drafting initial designs for the interface framework using HTML/CSS sketches, with a focus on dynamic display of variables like soil moisture levels.

• Exploring the capabilities of the Arduino IoT Cloud to publish real-time sensor readings and visualize live data streams on customizable dashboard widgets.

• Enhancing our group's portfolio website by updating pictures and writing reports for unfinished weekly progress sections, ensuring comprehensive documentation.

• Collaborative Efforts: The team continued to maintain effective communication and collaboration throughout the week. We conducted regular meetings to exchange ideas, discuss the prototype, and align our efforts. Additionally, some team members obtained permission for a dedicated working space in the workshop, further streamlining the project's progress.

By combining our diverse skills and expertise, we successfully advanced multiple aspects of the project, ensuring both technical and practical aspects were addressed effectively.

During this week, our team made significant progress in various aspects of the project, bringing us closer to the development of the automated irrigation system. Here are the key achievements:

                     Control Prototype Build:

• The team finalized the materials required for the control prototype build, ensuring all necessary resources were identified and approved.

• Active participation in discussions and approval of cost estimates allowed for efficient fund allocation.

• Hardware connections were initiated, and initial code testing commenced after receiving the required parts.

• Arduino sketches were written to interface with and read soil moisture sensors, laying the foundation for data collection.

• A proof of concept IoT system was established on the cloud platform, enabling remote monitoring and control capabilities.

                                   Challenges Overcome:

• The team encountered challenges related to slow network connections, compatibility issues with diverse devices, and pin fitting problems while connecting the soil sensor.

• Efforts were made to troubleshoot and resolve issues, including staying up overnight for troubleshooting. However, some challenges, such as proper soil sensor readings, remained unresolved.

• Moving forward, the team plans to revisit the challenges, refine the soil reading code, and conduct comprehensive testing to validate lessons learned during integration.

            Manufacturing of Prototype Base:

• The manufacturing process for the prototype base commenced successfully, with all necessary resources and personnel in place.

• The final design of the base was approved, and technical specifications, drawings, and material requirements were documented.

• Material procurement was completed, including the acquisition of sheet metal with an expected delivery date of January 15, 2024.

• Preparations for production were initiated, including setting up dedicated workspaces , calibrating equipment, and implementing safety protocols.

• The production team was identified, roles were assigned, and training sessions were planned to ensure familiarity with production procedures and quality control standards.

                    Prototype Integration and Video Production:

• The team discussed the integration of all components to finalize the prototype for the smart water irrigation system.

• Changes and improvements were identified and agreed upon during the meeting.

• A subgroup was formed to create a three-minute video showcasing the prototype and its functionalities.

                      Understanding the Relay Module:

• The team delved into the functionality of the relay module, a crucial component of the automated irrigation system.

• The relay module serves as an intermediary between the controller and other electrical devices, enabling the controller to manage devices like solenoid valves and water pumps.

• Detailed knowledge was gained about the relay module's working principles, including the coil, armature, and their roles in controlling the devices.

Despite challenges encountered, the team demonstrated resilience and adaptability, actively addressing issues and making progress in various areas of the project. Moving forward, we remain committed to overcoming obstacles, refining our prototypes, and ensuring the successful implementation of the automated irrigation system.

In the course of this week, our team members have made remarkable strides in bringing the Smart Irrigation System project to fruition. We have poured our collective efforts into finalizing both the mechanical and software components, ensuring a comprehensive and functional solution that optimizes water usage in agriculture. Allow us to showcase the highlights of our individual contributions:

Mechanical and Software Refinement:

Our team members have dedicated their unwavering commitment to refining both the mechanical and software elements of the Smart Irrigation System. With tenacity and precision, we addressed challenges in the software component through rigorous testing and debugging processes, guaranteeing a robust and reliable system. The seamless integration of the NodeMCU code with the soil moisture and temperature sensors has paved the way for real-time data collection and cloud uploading. Additionally, our meticulously developed mobile app underwent extensive testing, emerging as a powerful tool that empowers users to remotely control and monitor the irrigation system, while showcasing its flawless functionality.

Project Poster Design:

One of our talented team members took up the mantle of designing the project poster, with the aim of vividly illustrating the key features and functionality of our automated irrigation system in an engaging and visually captivating layout. The poster design was enthusiastically shared with the team on our group Telegram channel, garnering positive feedback. Our dedicated team member remains open to receiving constructive feedback and suggestions to further enhance the effectiveness of visual communication.

Fabrication and Testing:

A key member of our team executed the fabrication process with exceptional skill and precision, resulting in the successful completion of a small-scale automated irrigation system prototype. This impressive prototype boasts drip irrigation lines, emitters, a weatherproof enclosure, and a meticulously designed water pump controller. Through diligent efforts, we overcame various challenges related to power output, water distribution manifold, and several other aspects, continuously refining our design through iterative modifications. Our prototype has undergone numerous rigorous test cycles, consistently demonstrating its ability to automate watering based on preset schedules and sensor readings.

Site Material Selection and Problem-solving:

Our resourceful team member took charge of selecting the most suitable material for the project site, meticulously considering its compatibility with other system components. Despite encountering several difficulties during the prototype work, our team collectively triumphed over them, gaining invaluable insights and skills along the way. Through perseverance and problem-solving, we ensured that our system is optimized for seamless integration and maximum efficiency.

Together, as a cohesive team, we have made substantial progress towards the completion of the Smart Irrigation System project. The flawless integration of both mechanical and software components positions our system as a cutting-edge solution in sustainable agriculture. Our unwavering commitment to user education and engagement underscores our dedication to creating a positive impact on global agricultural practices by promoting water conservation and enhancing crop yield.

With each passing week, our collective efforts drive us closer to achieving our ultimate goal: revolutionizing irrigation systems and paving the way for a sustainable future. We are pleased to announce that we have almost finished the prototype, and it is fully functional, showcasing our commitment to delivering a successful solution.