GOAL: Pergola for Ozzy

The first idea was to make a pergola that can be used for adult people that means I need to use many modules until reach the desired size that fit the human scale.

The pergola is designed to be assembled by modules that allows to increase or reduce the size of the structure and it could be adapted for other kind users like kids or pets also the structure could be adapted as a table or another things.

Due to the short time left I decided to do the tiniest version of the pergola in 1 to 1 scale using just one module of 60 cm to test the main structure assembled, the retractable system, the system integration and packaging and the shelter.

Besides us the humans our pets need protection from the sun too even more at places like my country where the UV index normally reach extreme levels. This is a good opportunity to do something in change for the unconditional love, loyalty and friendship that Ozzy gave to me. Like me there are many people who want to provide a refuge for their faithful friend.

For the Electronics integration for my final project I'm going to use as input Device the limit switch attached in one board which through bluetooth will send a message to my output device stepper motor so it should stoop and change the direction so if I push the button it should turn in the other direction until reach the limit switch attached in my output board and stop and again turn the direction.

Questions:

• What will it do?
• Is a retractable shelter system which can provides protection from the sun. The first goal is to operate manually and the second that could work automatically.
• Who has done what beforehand?
• The principal reference that I study is Modulounge by Lounge Factory.
• What materials and components will be required?
• I want to use digital fabrication for its creation that means low cost componentsand materials.
  • Materials:
  • Plywood
  • PLA
  • Concrete
  • PVC
  • Wool
  • Acrylic awning (If I want to make impermeable)
  • Components:
  • Stepper motor driver board with an FTDI integrated.
  • Limit switch board with an FTDI integrated.
  • Power supply by solar panel.
  • Where will they come from?
  • I want to use materials that can be found locally and for that I found this vendors: Edimca (plywood), Intaco (concrete), (PLA), Disensa(PVC Pipe), toldos maxima Importadora James (acrylic awning), Leon cables Emcocables (wire steel), APM(electronic components not listed in the Fab inventory).
  • How much will it cost?
  • Plywood board 1.22m X 2.22m $13.50
  • Instant concrete 40kg $5,50
  • PLA 1kg $45
  • PVC Pipe 1/2 X 6m $8.90
  • Stepper motor nema23 $24.75
  • Solar panel 12 V 15$

  Bill Of Materials.

  • What parts and systems will be made?
  • Retractable system:
  • 1X Stepper motor
  • 2X Bluetooth
  • 2X Limit switch
  • 1X Solar panel
  • 1X Battery
  • 1X Button
  • 1X Charge module
  • Main structure (plywood):
  • 4X Concrete base (replaced for plywood modules)
  • 8X Plywood modules beams and columns 60cm length
  • 4X 3d printed Vertex (replaced for plywood modules)
  • Shelter:
  • 1X Awning (replaced for wool)
  • 2X PVC pipe 60 cm length
  • 4X 3D printed wheels
  • 4X 3D printed subjections (Not fundamental)
  • 4X 3D printed cable subjections(Not fundamental)
  • 2X 3D printed ring(Not fundamental)
  • 2X Wire cable 60 cm length (Not fundamental)
  • What processes will be used?
  • Retractable system:
  • Electronics design.
  • Embedded Programing
  • Input devices
  • Output devices
  • Embedded networking and communications
  • Microcontroller interfacing and programing
  • Main structure:
  • Molding and casting.(Not fundamental)
  • Computer controlled cutting
  • Computer controlled machining
  • 3D printing.
  • Shelter:
  • 3D print subjections accessories (Not fundamental).
  • Include this process for the wildcard week assignment as textiles.
  • Buy some parts like PVC pipes, wire cable(Not fundamental).
  • What tasks need to be completed?
  • Retractable system.
  • Output device
  • Bluetooth
  • Solar Panel + Battery
  • System integration and packaging
  • Microcontroller interfacing
  • Main structure:
  • 4/4 Plywood vertex joint
  • 8/8 Plywood modules (beams and columns)
  • 0/4 Concrete bases - Replaced for Plywood bases
  • Shelter:
  • Buy the parts: PVC pipe, awning, wire cable
  • 3D print the subjection accessories
  • 1/1 Awning
  • 2/2 PVC pipe 60 cm length
  • 0/4 3D printed wheels
  • 0/4 3D printed subjections-NOT FUNDAMNTAL
  • 0/4 3D printed cable subjections-NOT FUNDAMNTAL
  • 0/2 3D printed ring-NOT FUNDAMNTAL
  • 0/2 Wire cable 60 cm length-NOT FUNDAMNTAL
  • Complete the awning
  • What other questions need to be answered?
  • What are the most fundamental parts of my project? In relationship with the final project requirements in case I ran out of time and I need to simplify the system.
  • Answer 1: The most fundamental parts of my final project are the main structure assembled, the retractable system, the system integration and packaging and the shelter.
  • Answer 2: To simplify the material for all the structure of the final project I choose plywood because work well to test the retractable system.
  • Answer 3: To simplify the shelter material I choose wool in relationship of the wild card week assignment.
  • What is the schedule?
  • 24-30 April cut the plywood modules
  • 1-5 May Print the vertex joints.
  • 3-7 Jun Cast the concrete bases Replaced for plywood laser cutting bases
  • 24-01 April-May Output device and networking and communications.
  • 6-22 shelter.
  • 3-7 Jun System integration and packaging and microcontroller interfacing.
  • How will it be evaluated?
  • I think my final project has to be evaluated in relationship with the weekly evolution progress.
  • The main structure and the retractable system are the most important things.
  • The shelter system could work manually or automatically.
  • The design provide flexibility for the users since it could reduce or increase it's size.
  • Utility and according to the fulfillment of my objectives.

  Pergola for humans:

  

  Pergola for pets:

  

  Conclusion:

  Considering the time left I decided to assemble a pergola for pets using just one module of 60 cm and test the shelter systems and simplify the design and still cover the Fabacademy requirements for the final project.

  Even I use each week of the fabacademy linked to my final project there are a lot things that I run out time but that strategy help me a lot.

  For the Electronics integration for my final project I'm going to use as input Device the limit switch, for the communication I choose bluetooth, and for the output device a stepper motor.

  I would like the Fabacademy add more environmental sensors and code examples like UV, CO2, rain, etc to create projects to encourage people to relate his projects with the environment.

  I would like to link a UV sensor to my final project but the time does not allow me to do that so I'll do it anyway after I'm very curious about that kind of sensors.