Progress This Week:
- Set up OSHE website account
- Created initial plans for automatic chocolate extruder system
- Created to-do list for next week
To-do List for Next Week:
- GOAL: Get the automatic extruder electrical components operational
- Touch up on coding language for microcontroller
- Write code to microcontroller to control stepper motor
- Connect wiring between power supply, microcontroller, and stepper motor
- Get stepper motor rotating on command
- Verify power supply works with microcontroller
- If power supply is not compatible, order buck converter
Concerns for Next Week:
- Some time concerns, as my classes have a lot of assignments due at that time. Above goals should still be achievable.
Week 5:
Progress:
- Created code for operating a stepper motor in Arduino IDE
- Verified that the Elegoo (cheaper version of the Arduino) works with C code written in Arduino IDE
- Verified that a 12V power supply will work with the Elegoo
- Reworked the design of the stepper motor mount and rack & pinion system to be more stable and easier to install
Problems:
- Ordered parts did not arrive this week, so physically setting up the stepper motor was not possible
To-do list for next week:
- GOAL: Get the automatic extruder electrical components operational
- Connect wiring between power supply, microcontroller, and stepper motor
- Get stepper motor rotating on command
Concerns for next week:
- The parts are taking longer than expected to arrive
Week 6:
Progress:
- Fixed some syntax problems in Arduino code
- Wired Arduino to a stepper driver and stepper motor (using temporary parts found in lab)
- Tested function of stepper motor– it works as expected (constant rotation in one direction)
To-do list for next week:
- GOAL: Create more complex functions for stepper motor
- Add limit switch to the stepper motor circuit
- Add an activation button to the stepper motor circuit
- Code the stepper to move in two directions instead of just one
- Code the stepper to move a set distance on activation button press, and a set distance in the opposite direction when the limit switch is pressed
Problems:
- Parts have still not arrived. I used available lab parts to make a temporary solution.
Concerns for next week:
- I’m concerned that the parts might still not arrive.
Week 7:
Progress:
- Created code to reverse stepper motor rotation when limit switch is pressed
- Created code to move stepper motor a specified distance when the activation button is pressed
- Added limit switch and activation button to the circuit
To-do list for next week:
- Add another stepper motor, limit switch, and button to have 2 functioning steppers
- Edit the code to make the second stepper operational
- Create PowerPoint and perform Critical Design Review
Concerns for next week:
- None as of right now
Week 8:
Progress:
- Created code for running two stepper motors (have not been physically added yet)
- Presented at Critical Design Review
To-do list for the week after break:
- Get the second stepper motor wired up
- Start looking into designs for mounting the stepper motors to the frame
Concerns for that week:
- While I have verified that the power supply supplies 12V, I am not sure if it also supplies 5V for the electronics.
Week 9:
Progress:
- Obtained the Elegoo and a driver board that holds multiple drivers
To-do list for next week:
- Figure out which pins on the driver board correspond to which pins on the Elegoo and change the programming accordingly
- Replace the test Arduino and stepper hardware with the new Elegoo hardware
- Create a project overview
Concerns:
- Some time concerns due to the workload from other classes
Week 10:
Progress:
- Figured out which pins on the driver board correspond to the Elegoo pins
- Connected two stepper motors to driver board and got them operational
To-do list for next week:
- Measure the amount of chocolate in mL is needed to fill a mold
- Determine the distance the plunger needs to travel to extrude that amount of chocolate and calculate the number of steps it would take in the code
- Edit the code to have the motors turn that distance upon button press
Concerns:
- The silicone molds are taking longer than expected to get back, may need to decide as a group whether we want to order them from a different source if it’s looking like they won’t come in time
- There is not a clear way to add inputs onto the driver board (aka limit switch and activation button), it may be necessary to make my own circuit on perf board
Week 11:
Progress:
- Burned out a stepper driver and fixed it afterwards
- Gathered components to move circuit to a soldered perf board
- Decided on circuit dimensions so Dylan can print the casing
To-do list for next week:
- Still need to measure mL needed to fill chocolate mold (and edit the code to reflect that)
- Move the circuit to perf board (more permanent and secure and can take inputs)
Concerns:
- Can’t measure the mL the steppers need to extrude until the device is back from Seth’s house and the molds are done
Week 12:
- Moved code to an Arduino Nano to reduce circuit footprint
- Soldered circuit onto perf board
- Troubleshooted circuit for quite some time (first stepper is now operational)
- Helped with project report draft
To-Do list for next week:
- Solder the second stepper driver onto the perf board
- Get the second stepper operational on perf board (will likely involve troubleshooting)
Concerns:
- End of semester is getting close, finishing on time should be possible but will be tight
Week 13:
Progress:
- Second stepper driver circuit soldered to perf board, still need to solder a few more connections to the Arduino so it’s not quite testable yet
- Scheduled project check-off time with team
- Improved Characterization and Methodology sections of final report
- Identified a potential problem with powering servos for mix-ins device: 5V pin on the Arduino can’t supply enough current to drive a servo and the power supply is 12V, which also can’t be used for the servos
- 5V wall plug-in sourced from the lab to potentially provide current for the servos
To-Do list for next week:
- Finish the last few connections on the second driver
- Test second driver for functionality
- Work with Seth to integrate electrical with mechanical
- Create code for servos
- Test the functionality of the 5V wall plug-in for the servos
Concerns:
- Next week will be a time crunch
- Perf board is getting quite full of wires, it may be difficult to solder all the connections needed
BREAD Bioreactor
Week 2:
Progress:
- Set up meeting times with group members
- Connected with Canadian project members to get up to speed on what was done previously
- Contacted sponsor to obtain project information and project wishlist
To-do list for next week:
- Research electronic pressure sensors and methods of electronic pressure control
- Look over code to learn how BREAD system works
- Research components needed to produce a new slice
Concerns:
- None for now
Week 3:
Progress:
- Researched electronic pressure gauge options and prices
- Researched E-stop and DC-powered buzzer options and prices
- Researched pressure control options
- Contacted stakeholder for information on the function of the bioreactor
- Installed Ki CAD for future circuit design
To-do list for next week:
- Contact stakeholder for information on current pressure control capabilities (does it interface with electronics, or does it use manual pressure release valves?) and verification that our plans fulfill their needs
- Decide on the best options for parts
- Order parts if possible
Concerns:
- Off-the-shelf pressure control methods are looking quite expensive from a brief look online, expensive parts might not fit the open source criteria