17. Project management

What tasks have been completed?

  • Design of the mechanical 7-segment display, inspired by a model made by: 7 Segment Mechanical Counter
  • Motor programming
  • Integration of motors with the display
  • Pomodoro Timer
  • Local weather programming

In the following image, you can see one of the tests I conducted still on a protoboard to verify that everything was working correctly. Once it was confirmed, I proceeded to design the PCB.

What tasks remain?

  • Weather via API
  • Case redesign
  • Make PCB

What has worked? What hasn't?

So far, the function of mechanically changing the numbers for the clock part has been a bit difficult, but it is still in progress and I need to program it to change the numbers.

On the other hand, I made a case to place everything, but it didn't fit perfectly, so I need to redesign it.

I also had cut the PCB, but due to a small unevenness, some tracks were eaten up, so I need to redo it.

After many tests I conducted on the protoboard, I realized that I changed some of the pins I selected to move the motors, so I also have to redesign the PCB.

What questions need to be resolved?

  • How can I make a coupler that adjusts better and has more force to turn the motor?
  • How to obtain variables to indicate the number of steps the mechanical number should advance?
  • How can I include the weather API?

What will happen when?

Up to this point, my progress includes 3D printing mechanical numbers, testing motors on a protoboard, as well as the RTC module saving the time and displaying the temperature, and starting the Pomodoro method by pressing a button.

For now, I will follow the schedule, and the remaining parts will be taken as tests and adjustments, as well as system programming.

Schedule of Activities

  • Week 1, 2, 3: Designing the 7-segment display in SolidWorks
  • Week 4, 5, 6: Laser cutting the display.
  • Week 6, 7, 8, 9: Programming the motors for the numbers.
  • Week 8, 9, 10: Integration of motors with the display and Development of the Pomodoro functionality .
  • Week 9, 10, 11: Programming and designing weather system.

What have you learned?

So far, I have learned many ways to control the NEMA 17 stepper motors. At first, I was testing with H-Bridge Modules, but they were too large and consumed a lot of current, losing power when placing 2, so they no longer had enough torque to turn the motor. I also discovered that there is a module that allows me to keep the time and display the temperature, RTC DS3231.

Project Plan

Purpose and Scope of the Project

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to create a clock with different functionalities to help organize better using the Pomodoro Technique. Additionally, the clock will display the weather on a screen.

Scope: This project involves designing and building the clock, integrating a Pomodoro timer, and implementing a screen to display the weather. The project will focus on creating a functional device that allows switching between the clock function and the Pomodoro Technique using a button.

Resources

  • PLA for 3D printing the mechanical displays and casing.
  • MDF for the casing.
  • NEMA 17 stepper motors.
  • A4988 stepper motor driver modules.
  • Xiao ESP32C3 microcontroller.
  • PCF8574 I2C GPIO Expander Module.
  • OLED screen.
  • RTC DS3231 module.
  • Button.
  • 220 ohm resistors.

Goals

  • Design and fabricate the clock casing.
  • Integrate and test the electronic components.
  • Develop the basic software for the clock and Pomodoro timer.
  • Implement the weather display functionality.
  • Ensure the device works correctly and meets the project objectives.

Deliverables

  • Completed and assembled clock casing.
  • Integrated and functional electronic components.
  • Operational clock and Pomodoro timer software.
  • Implemented weather display functionality.
  • Complete documentation of the process.