Week 17

Applications and Implications:

Propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered.

2D and 3D design
Additive and subtractive fabrication processes
Electronics design and production
System integration and packaging.
Where possible, you should make rather than buy the parts of your project. Projects can be separate or joint, but need to show individual mastery of the skills, and be independently operable.

Project Development

Complete your final project tracking your progress.

Applications and Implications:

Project Information: The Aemma Chhim

What will it do?
- "The Aemma Chhim" is a Smart Automated Greenhouse designed to optimize chili growth in cold mountainous regions.
- It monitors temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and light, and controls internal conditions via fans, heaters, LEDs, and water pumps.
- It records environmental data and logs it to a Google Sheet for analysis.

What does it do?
Aema Chhim's project is a prototype for a smart automated greenhouse designed to cultivate chilies (aema) in cold mountainous climates. It regulates temperature, humidity, and soil moisture using sensors and automation, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth.
Who’s done what beforehand?
Mr. Ari Vuokila and Ms. Loise Kimwe completed similar projects in Fab Academy. IoT greenhouse automation.
Though there are a lot of projects done beforehand, the unique point of my project is the animal figure of it making it look fun and interesting.

What will you design?
- 3D model of the greenhouse frame using Fusion 360.
- 3D model of the head of the pig like a box that can slide to open and close using Fusion 360.
- 3D model of the eyes and nose for the head of the pig.
- Custom PCB for sensor and actuator control.
- 3D model of water reservoir in fusion 360, its lid and its stand to elevate it so that the pressure is high
- Custom PCB for sensor and actuator control.
What materials and components will be used?
- PLA filament for 3D printing the water reservoir, the pot and the eyes and nose of the pig.
- 4 mm plywood to laser-cut the head[pressfit box] and for the stand for the water reservoir.
- 18 mm wood to CNC the structure of the greenhouse[middle module].
- Xiao ESP32 C3 as the microcontroller.
- dht11, ldr mh sensor and capacitive soil moisture sensors.
- DC fan, LED bulb and water pump and a 4 channel relay.
Where will they come from?
- PLA, 4 mm wood and 18mm wood, and basic components from Fab Lab inventory.
- Advanced sensors and pumps ordered from Robu.in or Amazon or from local stores.

How much will they cost?

Component Name	Specification	Price (Nu.)	Price (USD)	Quantity	Total Cost (Nu.)	Online or Local Market
Soil moisture sensor	Capacitive V2.0	54	0.65	1	54	Available in the lab
DHT22	AM2302	121	1.46	1	121	Available in the lab
LDR	Photoresistor	149	1.80	1	149	Available in the lab
4 channel relay	5V module	219	2.64	1	219	Available in the lab
Water pump	Submersible	398	4.80	1	398	Available in the lab
Xiao ESP32 C3	Wi-Fi + BLE	471	5.67	1	471	Available in the lab
LED bulb	12V DC	159	1.91	1	159	Available in the lab
240V to 12V converter	Step down	190	2.29	1	190	Available in the lab
USB Wall charger	5V 1A	190	2.29	1	190	Available in the lab
Fan	3-inch DC	—	—	1	0	Available in the lab
Plastic Polyethylene	2m x 2m	100	1.20	1	100	Available in the lab
PLA filament for 3D printing	Deep Blue, 1 kg	849	9.95	1	849	Available in the lab
4mm wood	Laser cutting (30cm x 20cm)	40	0.47	1	40	Available in the lab
18mm wood	CNC (2400mm x 1200mm)	1200	14.06	1	1200	Available in the lab

Total (Nu.)4136(All Available in the Lab) Total (USD)$48.54 USD

What parts and systems will be made?
- Custom greenhouse structure and enclosure.
- PCB development board for sensors and relays.
- Holders and mounts for components.
- Integration of power, control, and monitoring systems.

Key Questions to Answer

How will I collect, communicate, and store sensor data effectively?
Which platform or tools will I use for real-time data visualization and storage (e.g., Google Sheets, cloud services)?
What is my project timeline and am I on track to complete each milestone?
What style do I want to present my final project through video or demonstration?

Project Requirements and Goals

What processes will be used?
- 3D design in Fusion 360.
- Additive manufacturing via 3D printing.
- Subtractive fabrication via laser cutting and CNC.
- PCB design and milling using KiCad and Mods.
- Programming in Arduino IDE for embedded systems.

What questions need to be answered?

Based on your current documentation, the key questions for your project that still need comprehensive answers are:
- Data Collection & Communication: How you'll effectively collect, communicate, and store the sensor data.
- Timeline & Milestones: Your precise project timeline, and whether you're on track to complete each milestone.
- Final Presentation: How you plan to present your final project (video, live demonstration, etc.).
How will it be evaluated?
- Comprehensive Design: Integration of both 2D and 3D design in your physical parts and enclosures.
- Diverse Fabrication: Utilization of both additive manufacturing (3D printing for the pot, eyes, nose) and subtractive fabrication (CNC for the main structure, laser cutting for the head and 3d printing for the water reservoir).
- Electronics Expertise: My custom PCB (once complete) and proper component assembly.
- Embedded Programming: The functionality of my microcontroller code for sensor interfacing and automating the greenhouse's functions.
- System Integration: How seamlessly all the hardware and software components work together as a single, functional system.
- Effective Documentation & Presentation: The clarity of your weekly updates, my final project documentation, and my demonstration.
What tasks have been completed?
- Mechanical Design & Fabrication:
  - Designed and laser-cut the 2nd iteration of the pig head enclosure (press-fit box) and CNCed the middle module.
  - Designed the segmented flower pot in Fusion 360 for modular 3D printing.
  - Successfully 3D printed the water reservoir, multi-part pot, eyes, and nose.
  - Assembled the laser-cut head with the 3D printed eyes and nose.
- Electronics & Programming (Initial Stages):
  - Developed and tested Arduino code for reading DHT11 (temperature/humidity), soil moisture, and LDR (light) sensors.
  - Successfully integrated and tested the water pump, which activates when the soil moisture sensor detects dryness.
  - Successfully integrated and tested the fan, which activates based on temperature (though the current logic needs a small adjustment).
  - Explored and briefly implemented a web server display for real-time data via IP address.
What tasks remain?

To bring "Aemma Chhim" to full functionality, these tasks are next on my list:
- Final Electronics Integration:
  - Design and mill my custom PCB for all sensor and relay connections.
  - Implement the OLED display for local, real-time sensor data visualization, replacing the web display.
- Physical Integration:
  - Full assembly of the greenhouse structure, including the water reservoir, its stand, and the door with hinges and locks.
  - Neat and secure mounting of all electronic components within the enclosure.
  - Integration of the 3D printed pot into the main structure.
- Final Testing & Refinement: Thoroughly test the entire system under various conditions and fine-tune parameters as needed.
What has worked? What hasn’t?
- What has worked well:
  - Your CAD design skills for both laser cutting (head) and 3D printing (modular pot, eyes, nose) are strong.
  - The fabrication processes (laser cutting, 3D printing) yielded successful physical parts.
  - The initial sensor readings (DHT11, soil moisture, LDR) proved accurate.
  - The basic automation logic for the water pump and fan is correctly implemented and functional.
  - The web display concept was functional for showing data via an IP address.
- What hasn't worked (or needs significant adjustment):
  - The IP-based web display was functional but not deemed optimal for real-time monitoring due to its dependency on a specific IP address, prompting the switch to OLED.
What questions need to be resolved?
- Writing the code to display your sensor values clearly and effectively on OLED.
What will happen when?

You can refer to my GANTT CHART here
What have you learned?

Your journey with "Aemma Chhim" has provided you with valuable learning experiences:
- Modular Design for Fabrication: I've learned how to design larger objects (like the pot) in parts to overcome machine size limitations, a practical skill for complex fabrication.
- Interfacing Sensors and Actuators: I've gained hands-on experience connecting various types of sensors and controlling outputs (motorized pump, fan) through relays, applying fundamental electronics and programming concepts.
- Iterative Development: My process shows that design is not linear; I've iterated on physical parts (head, pot) and software approaches (web display to OLED) based on practical testing and feedback.
- Debugging and Problem Solving: I've encountered and begun to resolve issues like incorrect LDR readings and the need for more robust data display methods, strengthening my troubleshooting skills.
- Project Planning & Scoping: By outlining my components and costs, and recognizing remaining tasks, I am developing a clearer understanding of my project scope and management.

Project Development

I used the laser cutter to fabricate the 2nd iteration of my design(the head-pressfit box) for the electronics with slots to put in the 3d printed eyes and nose.

I decided to 3d print my pot for the greenhouse and I sought my instructor Sir Anith's help and was able to create a pot that can slide over like a jigsaw puzzle so that it is not too large for a 3d printer. I will proceed with the printing next week.

I used 2 3d printers to print my design for the flower pot which took approximately 36 hours each h As mentioned earlier, this pot is a like a jigsaw puzzle that will fit perfectly.

With the help of AI, I generated a code to display all of the inputs of the sensors and tested it just to check the readings. I shone a flashlight at the ldr but then the serial printer said "it is dark", so i just changed it to "it is bright". Otherwise, the code functioned perfectly well. When I dipped the sensor in the water, it displayed correct readings which is the same case for the dht11 sensor. This is an image before connecting all of the wires and programming

                
#include "DHT.h"

// === Pin Definitions ===
#define DHTPIN 3               // DHT11 signal pin
#define DHTTYPE DHT11          // Using DHT11

#define SOIL_MOISTURE_PIN 2    // Analog input for soil moisture
#define LDR_PIN 4              // Analog input for LDR

// === Thresholds for reference ===
#define TEMP_THRESHOLD 30.0           // °C
const int moistureThreshold = 2000;   // Dry soil value (adjust after testing)
const int lightThreshold = 2000;      // Darkness value (adjust after testing)

DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  dht.begin();
}

void loop() {
  // === Temperature Reading ===
  float temperature = dht.readTemperature();
  if (isnan(temperature)) {
    Serial.println("Failed to read from DHT11!");
  } else {
    Serial.print("Temperature: ");
    Serial.print(temperature);
    Serial.println(" °C");

    if (temperature > TEMP_THRESHOLD) {
      Serial.println("High Temperature");
    } else {
      Serial.println("Normal Temperature");
    }
  }

  delay(2000);  // Wait before next sensor read

  // === Soil Moisture Reading ===
  int moistureValue = analogRead(SOIL_MOISTURE_PIN);
  Serial.print("Soil Moisture: ");
  Serial.println(moistureValue);

  if (moistureValue < moistureThreshold) {
    Serial.println("Soil is Moist");
  } else {
    Serial.println("Soil is Dry");
  }

  delay(1000);  // Short delay between modules

  // === Light Level Reading ===
  int lightValue = analogRead(LDR_PIN);
  Serial.print("Light Level: ");
  Serial.println(lightValue);

  if (lightValue < lightThreshold) {
    Serial.println("It's Bright");
  } else {
    Serial.println("It's Dark");
  }

  delay(2000);  // Main loop delay
}

Thus I proceeded to the next spiral where I used the 4 channel relay for corresponding outputs I connected the water pump and when the moisture sensor sensed low readings, it pumped water. With that in place, I connected the fan which i had done in previous weeks and it also worked fine. Now only the LED bulb is left.

#include "DHT.h"

// === Pin Definitions ===
#define DHTPIN 3               // DHT11 signal pin
#define DHTTYPE DHT11          // Using DHT11

#define SOIL_MOISTURE_PIN 2    // Analog input for soil moisture
#define LDR_PIN 4              // Analog input for LDR
#define RELAY3_PIN 6           // Relay 3 (soil moisture control)
#define RELAY2_PIN 7           // Relay 2 (temperature control)

// === Thresholds ===
#define TEMP_THRESHOLD 20.0           // °C
const int moistureThreshold = 2000;   // Dry soil value (adjust after testing)
const int lightThreshold = 2000;      // Darkness value (adjust after testing)

DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  dht.begin();
  
  pinMode(RELAY3_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RELAY2_PIN, OUTPUT);
  
  digitalWrite(RELAY3_PIN, HIGH); // Relay OFF initially (active LOW)
  digitalWrite(RELAY2_PIN, HIGH); // Relay OFF initially (active LOW)
}

void loop() {
  // === Temperature Reading ===
  float temperature = dht.readTemperature();
  if (isnan(temperature)) {
    Serial.println("Failed to read from DHT11!");
  } else {
    Serial.print("Temperature: ");
    Serial.print(temperature);
    Serial.println(" °C");

    if (temperature > TEMP_THRESHOLD) {
      Serial.println("High Temperature");
      digitalWrite(RELAY2_PIN, LOW);  // Fan ON
      Serial.println("Relay 2 ON (Fan)");
    } else {
      Serial.println("Normal Temperature");
      digitalWrite(RELAY2_PIN, LOW); // Fan OFF
      Serial.println("Relay 2 ON (Fan)");
    }
  }

  delay(2000);

  // === Soil Moisture Reading ===
  int moistureValue = analogRead(SOIL_MOISTURE_PIN);
  Serial.print("Soil Moisture: ");
  Serial.println(moistureValue);

  if (moistureValue < moistureThreshold) {
    Serial.println("Soil is Moist");
    digitalWrite(RELAY3_PIN, HIGH);  // Pump OFF
    Serial.println("Relay 3 OFF (Pump)");
  } else {
    Serial.println("Soil is Dry");
    digitalWrite(RELAY3_PIN, LOW);   // Pump ON
    Serial.println("Relay 3 ON (Pump)");
  }

  delay(1000);

  // === Light Level Reading ===
  int lightValue = analogRead(LDR_PIN);
  Serial.print("Light Level: ");
  Serial.println(lightValue);

  if (lightValue < lightThreshold) {
    Serial.println("It's Bright");
  } else {
    Serial.println("It's Dark");
  }

  delay(2000);  // Main loop delay
}

Then I realized that there is no means that will display the rela time data(only in serial monitor), so I created a website using IP address and Wifi.

However my instructor advised me to display the real time data using OLED instead because for my web to work, it needs a specific IP address without which it would be hard to monitor. So next week I will be working on it.

Files

You can access the files here
f3d files for the 2nd iteration of the enclosure design.

Table of Contents

Applications and Implications:

Project Information: The Aemma Chhim

Key Questions to Answer

Project Requirements and Goals

What questions need to be answered?

How will it be evaluated?

What tasks have been completed?

What tasks remain?

What has worked? What hasn’t?

What questions need to be resolved?

What will happen when?

What have you learned?

Project Development

Files