A16 - Applications and Implications
What will it do?
PlantPulse will monitor plants through the use of a 'hub' and sensor 'node(s)', supplying a percentage 'watered' amount back to the user. If the Hub is augmented to include watering systems, like pumps and solenoids, it can also water plants.
Who has done what beforehand?
There are industrial solutions that are plug and play but dont allow the user to customise or learn programming (they are products for farmers).
For Makers, there are lots of single plant watering kits ( example2, example3 ) that are fun explorations into sensors, programming and microcontrollers. But they dont handle more than one plant.
What will you design?
A Maker oriented system to water multiple sets of plants, either indoor or outdoor. Optionally a method to water those plants.
What materials and components will be used?
As many made parts as possible, 3D printed enclosures, laser cut lids, custom PCBs, all bundled up into their own package.
Where will they come from?
Each raw material will be sourced from the cheapest, fastest and most ethical suppliers. Those materials will have to be processed either at the FabLab, my home workspace or work.
How much will they cost?
In the prototyping stage the system cost about $200 AUD (or $133.18 USD). The total BOM cost was a bit more expensive but allowed me to experiment with other sensors and inputs/outputs.
With further optimisations I could see the cost going below $140 AUD.
What parts and systems will be made?
All of the cases, enclosures and PCBs will be made and designed by myself. Code will be supplied to make the 'Getting Started' experience as easy as possible.
Custom stickers for each system would be included in the package.
What processes will be used?
The enclosures the following procedudes will be used: * 3D Design - custom PCB's will be ordered, hence we need a custom enclosure, this will be designed in my CAD program of choice - OnShape * 3D printing - This is the easiest way to prototype parts and large scale 3D printing is becoming more approachable through the use of print farms. * 2D design - Lids to fit the custom top would be designed, we can extract the 2D files and modify the acrylic. Stickers were also designed to help identify the node name and pump number if added. * Laser cutting - to precisely cut the lids a CO2 laser cutter would be used.
The electronics: * EDA software - KiCAD would be used to design the schematics and PCB layouts of a custom board to merge all of the components. * PCB Milling - The PCB's would initially be manufactured using a PCB mill, this is perfect for prototyping. * PCB Fabrication - the final revision of the PCBs would use fabrication houses to make and maybe add the components to each of the PCBs
The software: * Programming - A Pythonic language, Micropython will be used since its very accessible to beginners, easy to quickly implement ideas and the option of bundling everything together in classes to enhance the Maker experience
What questions need to be answered?
- What the best user experience might be?
- How do I make/edit a video?
- Where do I stop scope creeping this project?
- How reliable does the system have to be?
How will it be evaluated?
The prototype will be ready once I graduate Fab Academy. Once this is complete I'll give it to my girlfriend and Mum to test with their plants (inside and outside).