Requirements of final project

Goal of the Week

The main objective of this week was to consolidate and fully document the final project “Eco Smart Flower Pot”, integrating all the knowledge and skills developed during Fab Academy into a single functional, stable system oriented towards a real product.

During this stage, the following was sought:

• validate the complete operation of the system,
• integrate mechanical design, electronics and programming,
• optimize the physical and electronic structure,
• and demonstrate the comprehensive application of digital manufacturing.

Furthermore, the objective was to demonstrate that the project meets the requirements of the final project, incorporating:

• 2D design and 3D modeling,
• Additive manufacturing and electronic production,
• embedded systems programming,
• user interfaces,
• systems integration,
• and complete technical documentation.

Work was also done to improve the user experience through:

• Display of information on an OLED screen,
• audible alerts,
• and digital monitoring via mobile interface.

This week allowed us to transform an experimental prototype into an integrated, functional technological system, ready for future improvements and scalability.

Project Summary

TheEco Smart Flower PotIt is an interactive system designed to monitor soil moisture and assist the user in plant care through visual, sound, and digital feedback.

The system uses asoil moisture sensorto capture real-time data, which is processed by aCustom PCB based on the XIAO ESP32-C3 microcontroller.

When low humidity is detected:

• A sound alert (buzzer) is activated
• The status is displayed on an OLED screen
• The status can be viewed from a mobile interface (RemoteXY)

When the humidity is adequate:

• The system indicates optimal conditions on the screen

This project integrates 3D design, electronics, embedded programming, and user interface into a fully functional system.

Machinery and Tools

MY PROCESS:

Final Project Requirements

HERO SHOT

Project Summary

TheEco Smart Flower PotIt is an interactive system designed to monitor soil moisture and assist the user in plant care through visual, sound, and digital feedback.

The system uses a soil moisture sensor to capture real-time data, which is processed by a custom microcontroller-based PCB. XIAO ESP32-C3.

When low humidity is detected:

• An audible alert is activated by a buzzer
• The status is displayed on an OLED screen
• The status can be viewed from a mobile interface using RemoteXY

When the humidity is adequate:

• The system indicates optimal conditions on the OLED screen

This project integrates:

• 3D Design
• Custom electronics
• Embedded programming
• User interface
• Digital manufacturing
• Systems integration in a fully functional product.

My process:

1. What does it do?

TheEco Smart Flower PotIt is an interactive system designed to monitor soil moisture in real time and assist the user in plant care through visual, sound, and digital alerts.

The system works as follows:

• A sensor detects the soil moisture level.
• The XIAO ESP32-C3 microcontroller processes the received information.
• The OLED screen displays the plant's status.
• The buzzer activates an alert when the humidity is low.
• The RemoteXY mobile interface allows you to view the status from a smartphone.

The main objective is to make plant care easier, especially for users with no gardening experience, by integrating electronics, programming, and digital manufacturing into a functional product.

Project Motivation

Many people don't know when to water their plants, which leads to:

• Lack of water
• Overwatering
• Plant deterioration

This project seeks to solve that problem through automatic monitoring and real-time alerts.

System Architecture System Diagram

Sensor → XIAO ESP32-C3 → OLED + Buzzer + RemoteXY

Operating flow:

1. The sensor detects soil moisture
2. The microcontroller processes the information
3. The system responds by displaying data and generating alerts
4. Who has done what beforehand?

TheEco Smart Flower PotIt is an interactive system designed to monitor soil moisture in real time and assist the user in plant care through visual, sound, and digital alerts.

The system works as follows:

• A sensor detects the soil moisture level.
• The XIAO ESP32-C3 microcontroller processes the received information.
• The OLED screen displays the plant's status.
• The buzzer activates an alert when the humidity is low.
• The RemoteXY mobile interface allows you to view the status from a smartphone.

The main objective is to make plant care easier, especially for users with no gardening experience, by integrating electronics, programming, and digital manufacturing into a functional product.

5. What did I design?

During the project, multiple physical and electronic components were designed to achieve a fully integrated system.

It was developed:

• Parametric 3D modeling of the flowerpot
• Internal compartments for electronics
• Custom PCB based on XIAO ESP32-C3
• Electronic schematic of the system
• Visual interface via OLED screen
• Microcontroller programming
• Sensor system integration → processing → output

The entire system was designed with functionality, internal organization, and user experience in mind.

CAD design

The CAD design allowed:

• Organize the internal components correctly
• Optimize the space inside the pot
• Separate the wet area from the electronics
• Improve the physical integration of the system

Electronic Design

The PCB was designed to integrate all system components onto a single functional board, optimizing space, connections, and electrical stability.

Includes:

• MicrocontrollerXIAO ESP32-C3as the main processing unit
• Input for soil moisture sensor
• I2C interface for OLED display (SDA / SCL)
• Digital output for buzzer (audible alert)
• Voltage regulation system (3.3V)
• Pins organized for communication and expansion

The design took into account:

• Clean and organized signal routes
• Separation between power supply and signals
• Minimizing interference
• Compact layout for integration into the flowerpot

The board was designed in electronic CAD, milled on the SRM-20, assembled using SMD soldering and validated with real functional tests.

Fabrication Process

The development of theEco Smart Flower PotIt integrated multiple digital manufacturing processes, combining additive, subtractive, and electronic production techniques.

Processes used:

• 2D Design (PCB in Eagle)
• 3D modeling (flowerpot structure)
• 3D Printing → Additive Manufacturing
• Electronic production (PCB milling)
• Welding of components
• Microcontroller programming (XIAO ESP32-C3)
• System integration

This flow demonstrates the complete application of digital manufacturing, from design to functional product.

Electronic Production

It was done:

• PCB Design
• SRM-20 CNC Milling
• SMD and THT Soldering
• Electronic validation

System Integration

The integration enabled:

• Unify hardware and software
• Organize the wiring correctly
• Ensure system stability
• Transform the prototype into a functional product

It was considered:

• Separation of moisture and electronics
• Cable management
• Structural stability
• Access for maintenance

User Interface

(Here you should place images of the OLED and RemoteXY.)

The system interacts with the user through:

• OLED screen
• Audible alerts
• RemoteXY Mobile Interface

This allows:

• Clear visualization
• Real-time response
• Easy interaction

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Total: $25 – $30 USD

Processes Used

The following were used during development:

• 2D Design
• 3D Modeling
• 3D printing
• CNC Milling
• Electronic production
• Embedded programming
• Wireless communication
• Systems integration

What worked?

• stable humidity reading
• OLED Functioning
• Buzzer activation
• Communication with RemoteXY
• Physical and electronic integration
• Real-time response

What didn't work initially?

During development, technical difficulties arose that required iteration and continuous improvement:

• Error in the first version of the PCB (layout and connections)
• Unstable humidity sensor reading (noise and variation)
• Space limitations in the internal design of the flowerpot
• Initial welding with low precision

All these problems were solved by:

• Redesign
• Calibration
• Test iteration

All problems were solved through redesign, iterative testing, and improvements to the manufacturing process.

Evaluation

The system is considered functional and successful if it meets the following criteria:

• It accurately detects soil moisture levels.
• The OLED screen displays clear, real-time information
• The buzzer activates when the humidity level is low.
• The mobile interface allows for error-free interaction.
• The system operates autonomously and stably
• Physical integration keeps the system safe and orderly.

Validation was performed through testing under different humidity conditions, verifying the system's response in real time.

Implications

The project demonstrates the ability to integrate multiple areas of digital manufacturing into a single functional product.

Contribute to:

• Integration of 2D and 3D design and electronic production
• Real-world application of embedded systems
• Development of educational technology solutions (STEAM)
• Potential for scalability towards IoT systems

This project can evolve into a commercial, educational, or domestic solution, expanding its functionalities through connectivity, automation, and energy optimization.

Final Project Presentation

Eco Smart Flower Pot

Presentation Objective

The objective of this stage was to prepare the final project presentation using a summary slide and a one-minute demonstration video, showing the complete process of:

• conception,
• design,
• manufacturing,
• integration,
• and system operation.

The presentation aims to demonstrate how theEco Smart Flower PotIt integrates multiple areas of digital manufacturing into a functional, stable, and user-oriented product.

Summary Slide

Eco Smart Flower Pot

Short description

Interactive system designed to monitor soil moisture and assist the user through visual and audible alerts and real-time digital monitoring.

Problems Encountered and Solutions

Problem 1: Reduced internal space

Solution:Redesign of the lower compartment.

Problem 2: Unstable sensor readings

Solution:Code adjustment and calibration.

Problem 3: Electrical noise in speaker

Solution:Improved connections and filtering.

Problem 4: Cable organization

Solution:Reduce cable length and use connectors.

Learning Achieved

During this week I learned to develop a complete technological project integrating multiple areas of digital manufacturing within a single functional system.

I understood how to combine:

• CAD design,
• 3D printing,
• Electronic design and production,
• embedded programming,
• wireless communication,
• and physical integration of the system.

I also learned:

• to design a custom PCB based on the XIAO ESP32-C3,
• to integrate sensors and output devices using communication protocols,
• to optimize the internal space of a physical product,
• already validate the complete operation of the system through real tests.

One of the biggest lessons learned was understanding the importance of:

• Properly plan the structural design,
• organize the wiring and connections,
• Properly separate electronics from humid areas,
• and document each stage of the process.

Furthermore, I understood that:

• Small errors in power supply, soldering, or programming can affect the entire system.
• Iterative testing is fundamental to improving performance,
• and the integration between hardware and software is key to achieving stability and reliability.

The implementation of the mobile interface and wireless communication allowed us to understand how an embedded system can interact in real time with the user, making the project more intuitive and functional.

Finally, this experience strengthened skills such as:

• problem solving,
• critical thinking,
• work organization,
• adaptation during the manufacturing process,
• and user-oriented product development.

📋 Check-off List

1. Did you make the final video?

Yes, showing system manufacturing and integration.

2. Did you create a Final Project page?

Yes, documenting design, manufacturing, programming, and integration.

3. Did you include the bill of materials (BOM)?

Yes, with main components and costs.

4. Did you relate the project to other weeks?

Yes, by linking CAD, electronics, 3D printing, programming, and interfaces.

5. Did you document the system integration?

Yes, explaining the connection between sensor, XIAO ESP32-C3, OLED, buzzer and RemoteXY.

6. Did you include presentation.png and presentation.mp4?

Yes, ready for the website root.

7. Did you include original design files?

Yes, CAD files, PCBs, code, and digital manufacturing.

8. Did you include a license?

Yes, to document and share the project.

9. Did you recognize other people's work?

Yes, including references and instructor support.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is the root of my website?

Answer:
The root directory of my website is where the main index.html file is located. In my case, all the documentation for the final project and the Fab Academy weeks is organized within the website's main folder, allowing for easy access to the project's pages and resources.

2. Can I simply design a shield for a commercial board?

Answer:
No. During Fab Academy, it is necessary to demonstrate the design and development of your own electronics.

In my project, a custom PCB was designed and manufactured based on the XIAO

ESP32-C3 microcontroller, integrating sensors, an OLED screen, and a buzzer into a functional electronic system.

3. Can I use Satshakit, Fabduino, or Raspberry Pi?

Answer:
Yes, they can be used as support or reference, but Fab Academy requires demonstrating mastery of designing your own boards.

In my case, the main system uses a custom PCB designed specifically for the

Eco Smart Pot, allowing the complete development of integrated electronics to be showcased.

4. Can electronics be seen as a tangle of wires as long as it works?

Answer:
No. The final project must demonstrate professional system integration. Therefore, the following aspects were addressed in the Eco Smart Flowerpot project:

• internal organization of the cabling,
• structural distribution of components,
• use of connectors,
• Reduction of visible cables,
• and separation between the wet and electronic zones.

The goal was to achieve a clean, safe, and visually orderly system.

5. How do you present a group project?

Answer:
In the case of group projects, each member must clearly document:

• the project name,
• the collaborators,
• and the individually developed parts.

Each student must submit:

• their own documentation,
• a single slide,
• and a video that specifically demonstrates their contribution to the project.

6. What does “original design files” mean?

Answer:
Original design files are all those files created or significantly modified during the development of the project.

In my case, they include:

• 3D CAD files of the flowerpot,
• electronic schematics,
• PCB design,
• programming code,
• and digital fabrication files.

These files represent the design and integration work developed during Fab Academy.

7. Does PCB milling count as a subtractive process?

Answer:
No.

Within Fab Academy, PCB milling is considered part of electronic production and not a subtractive process of the final project.

In my project, the main subtractive process corresponds to the manufacturing and machining related to electronic production, while additive manufacturing was represented by the 3D printing of the flowerpot structure.

Conclusion

The Eco Smart Flower Pot represents the complete integration of the knowledge acquired during Fab Academy, demonstrating how an idea can become a functional product through design, digital fabrication, electronics, and programming.

The project successfully integrated:

• Real-time humidity monitoring,
• processing using a custom PCB,
• OLED display,
• audible alerts,
• and digital interaction via mobile interface.

Furthermore, it allowed the application of multiple digital manufacturing processes such as:

• 3D modeling,
• 3D printing,
• electronic design,
• PCB milling,
• welding,
• embedded programming,
• and systems integration.

During development, it was understood that a functional project depends not only on each component working separately, but also on the correct integration between:

• physical structure,
• electronics,
• software,
• and user experience.

This project demonstrates:

• design capacity,
• manufacturing,
• validation,
• problem solving,
• and development of real technological systems.

Finally, the Eco Smart Flower Pot not only represents an academic prototype, but a solid foundation for future improvements, IoT scalability, and educational or commercial applications within the field of digital manufacturing.