Introduce the final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered.
To give an overview about my final project, I will answer the following ten questions:
My final project is to create a solar panel cleaning robot. This robot depends on two rotating microfiber brushes to clean the panels without scratching their surface. These brushes are connected to 3D-printed tires and two continuous rotation servo motors. Thus, the robot will move along the solar panel while the cleaing process is taking place. Also, I included an ultrasonic sensor and RTC as input devices to read the distance and time, respectively.
There are few cleaning robot that was designed in Fabacademy. In 2018, Gaurav Wadhwa designed Omni bot as a multi-purpose cleaning robot.
I started by designing the ATmega328 board using Eagle software and a CNC machine. This board will control two continuous rotation servo motors, a real-time clock (RTC), and an ultrasonic distance measuring sensor. Then, I designed the two side plates, the robot cover, and the electronics box to place the motors and the electronics, respectively. Also, I designed the wheels. These parts are designed using Fusion 360 software.
The materials that will be used in this final project are MDF wood, acrylic, aluminum profiles, PLA filament, TPE filament, and microfiber brushes. However, the electrical components that will be used are Lipo battery, ATmega328 microcontroller, ultrasonic sensor, RTC, and continuous rotation servo motor.
All the materials are founded in the fablab.
The estimated cost of the project is 1,609 AED. The following table gives estimated details about the costs of the used components.
| Component | Quantity | Cost Per Quantity(AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Mircofiber Brush | 2 | 15 |
| Screws and Nuts | - | 15 |
| TPE Filament | 1 | 191 |
| PLA Filament | 1 | 155 |
| MDF Wood Sheet | 1 | 155 |
| 3mm Black Acrylic | 1 | 382 |
| 3mm White Acrylic | 1 | 382 |
| Lipo Battery | 1 | 15 |
| 20x60 Aluminum Extrusion | 1 | 144 |
| Ultrasonic Sensor | 2 | 37 |
| RTC | 1 | 30 |
| Continuous Rotation Servo Motor | 2 | 18 |
The microcontroller PCB and the electronics system are fabricated in the beginning. After that, the robot body will be built. The robot body includes aluminum profiles, two side plates, wheels, and the robot cover.
The main processes that will be utalize in this projects are laser cutting for the side plates, 3D printing for the wheels, and CNC machine for the PCB fabrication.
How to control the robot and its sensors?
What are the dimensions of the wheels?
How to ensure that the robot will move in straight line?
This project will succeed if two points are achieved. Firstly, if the robot is able to clean the panels effectively. Secondly, if the robot is controlled by the input devices.