During a meeting with our instructor, Hashim, I received valuable guidance on project planning. He assisted in breaking down the project into manageable parts, defining completed milestones, and identifying the remaining tasks. This structured approach helps ensure the success of the project and enables me to meet the established timelines.
I was in the process of creating a comprehensive To-Do List before heading to the lab, aiming to enhance my organization and maximize task completion. However, as is often the case, plans don't always unfold as expected. In the dynamic environment of a fabrication lab, unforeseen challenges frequently arise, particularly when working on the fabrication of a product. It's not uncommon for unexpected issues to surface, leading to the need for adjustments and sometimes multiple attempts before achieving the desired outcome.
This experience has taught me the value of patience. I've come to understand that even if my meticulously planned day doesn't unfold seamlessly, it's crucial to remain flexible and adapt to the circumstances. In the realm of the Fab Academy, where precision and efficiency are paramount, effective time management is indispensable. Therefore, if one avenue doesn't pan out as intended, I've learned to pivot and engage in alternative tasks to ensure that my time is utilized productively.
Completed task:
Project name "Smart Solar Panel"
Project features.
3D design of the project.
Fabrication project parts.
Remain task:
Make the solar panel follow sun light.
Control the panel using LDR values.
connect all parts to gether.
what’s working?
Servo motor x-axis & y-axis
reading LDR's values
reading solar panel's voltage
what’s not?
The project not yet follow the sun, need to fix some value in the code.
Gear DC motor- it will be used in future to open and close the solat panel so clean them
The key queries awaiting resolution include: What is the correct equation for correlating the Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) readings with the degrees of movement for the servo motor? Additionally, is the quantity of solar panels adequate to sustain the project's power needs along with the battery?
14 June 2023Today, I presented my final project, showcasing its seamless functionality. The solar tracker adeptly follows the sunlight, and all features operate flawlessly. Professor Neil Gershenfeld expressed his appreciation for the project and its capabilities. During our discussion, I proposed future enhancements, suggesting an automated mechanism for opening and closing to facilitate solar panel maintenance. Professor Gershenfeld was intrigued by the idea, and I am now planning to incorporate this feature in the future, transforming the solar panel into a fully automated system, eliminating the need for human intervention.
Engaging in the final project has been a rich learning experience, significantly elevating various facets of my skill set. My proficiency in design has undergone substantial improvement, reflecting in the refined and efficient structures within the project. Furthermore, hands-on work with mechanical components during the assembly process has honed my skills in precision and coordination.
In the realm of coding, tackling the intricacies of programming for the project has expanded my expertise and problem-solving capabilities. The soldering aspect of the project has been instrumental in enhancing my attention to detail and precision, contributing to a more polished final product.
Overall, this endeavor has been a comprehensive journey, fostering growth not only in designing, assembling, and dealing with mechanical components but also in coding and soldering skills, collectively enriching my skill repertoire.
| Task | Start Date | End Date | Duration | |-----------------------------------------|------------|------------|----------| | Project Development Week | 2023-05-21 | 2023-06-14 | 25 days | | Define Project Plan | 2023-05-21 | 2023-05-22 | 2 days | | Create To-Do List | 2023-05-23 | 2023-05-24 | 2 days | | 3D Design of "Smart Solar Panel" | 2023-05-25 | 2023-05-26 | 2 days | | Fabrication of Project Parts | 2023-05-27 | 2023-05-28 | 2 days | | Make Solar Panel Follow Sunlight | 2023-05-29 | 2023-05-30 | 2 days | | Control Panel using LDR Values | 2023-05-31 | 2023-06-01 | 2 days | | Connect All Parts Together | 2023-06-02 | 2023-06-02 | 1 day | | Test and Debug | 2023-06-03 | 2023-06-03 | 1 day | | Professor Gershenfeld Discussion | 2023-06-04 | 2023-06-04 | 1 day | | Address Questions and Feedback | 2023-06-05 | 2023-06-05 | 2 day | | Make Solar Panel Follow Sunlight (Fix) | 2023-06-07 | 2023-06-07 | 1 day | | Clean Gear DC Motor | 2023-06-08 | 2023-06-08 | 1 day | | Final Project poster and video | 2023-06-09 | 2023-06-09 | 1 day | | Future Enhancements Implementation | 2023-06-10 | 2023-06-13 | 4 days | | Final Presentation | 2023-06-10 | 2023-06-14 | 1 days |
This schedule includes tasks, start dates, end dates, and durations. The "Test and Debug," "Final Project Presentation," and "Address Questions and Feedback" tasks are scheduled for June 3-5, with the final project presentation on June 4. The future enhancements planning and implementation are scheduled for June 6-14, reflecting my plan to incorporate additional features discussed with Professor Gershenfeld.