WEEK 13 – Midterm Review
Final Project Planning and System Integration
Automatic Irrigation Elevator System for Orchid Care
This week corresponds to the Midterm Review of the final project. The objective is to organize the complete development plan, present the system diagram, list the pending tasks, create a detailed schedule, and prepare a meeting with the instructors for a graded review of the final project progress and weekly assignments.
My final project is an automatic irrigation elevator system for an orchid plant. The machine uses a humidity sensor as the input, a XIAO ESP32-C3 as the control board, an A4988 driver, and a 12 V stepper motor connected to a lead screw mechanism. The motor moves a water container toward a static orchid pot to perform irrigation by immersion.
Midterm overview of the final project: automatic irrigation elevator system.
1. Midterm Assignment Requirements
| Requirement | Documentation Response |
|---|---|
| Post a system diagram for your project | A system diagram was created to explain the relation between input, control, output, mechanism, and user interaction. |
| List the tasks to be completed | The remaining tasks were organized by design, fabrication, electronics, programming, integration, testing, and documentation. |
| Make a schedule for doing them | A dynamic Gantt chart was created based on the final project schedule and Fab Academy deadlines. |
| Schedule a meeting with instructors | A review meeting is planned to evaluate the system diagram, schedule, project progress, and weekly assignments. |
2. System Diagram
The system diagram shows the full logic of the final project. The humidity sensor detects the moisture condition of the orchid substrate. The XIAO ESP32-C3 processes this information and activates the A4988 driver when watering is required. The driver controls the 12 V stepper motor, which rotates a lead screw mechanism to raise the water container.
System diagram showing input, control, actuation, mechanism, function, and user interface.
| System Block | Component | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Input | Humidity sensor | Detects if the orchid needs water. |
| Control | XIAO ESP32-C3 | Reads sensor data and controls the irrigation cycle. |
| Driver | A4988 | Controls the stepper motor using STEP and DIR signals. |
| Output | 12 V stepper motor | Generates movement for the lifting mechanism. |
| Mechanism | Lead screw | Transforms rotation into vertical movement. |
| Function | Water container elevator | Raises water toward the static orchid pot for immersion irrigation. |
| User interface | Web interface / Serial Monitor | Allows monitoring and manual control during testing. |
3. Tasks to Be Completed
| # | Task / Phase | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning and 2D/3D Design | Model the structure, support system, moving platform, water container, and orchid pot in CAD. | In progress |
| 2 | Laser Cutting and 3D Printing | Fabricate MDF structural parts with laser cutting and print custom containers and mechanical supports. | In progress |
| 3 | PCB Design and Production | Design and fabricate the custom control PCB using the fiber laser process. | In progress |
| 4 | Sensor and Actuator Programming | Program the humidity sensor reading and stepper motor control sequence. | Pending tests |
| 5 | Communication and Interface | Create a simple interface using ESP32 WiFi or Serial Monitor to control and monitor the system. | Pending |
| 6 | System Integration | Assemble mechanical, electronic, and programmed elements into a working prototype. | Pending |
| 7 | Testing and Calibration | Calibrate humidity threshold, motor time, travel distance, and immersion time. | Pending |
| 8 | Final Documentation and Video | Prepare final web documentation, slide, and one-minute project video. | Critical |
4. Dynamic Gantt Chart
The following Gantt chart was prepared using the final project schedule phases and the official Fab Academy calendar milestones. The timeline includes the project development phases and key deadlines such as weekly assignment deadline, final presentation dates, evaluation deadline, and graduation period.
5. Project Schedule Summary
| Phase | Estimated Duration | Planned Dates | Key Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning and 2D/3D Design | 12–13 days | Jan 21 – Feb 02 | Complete CAD model and system dimensions. |
| Laser Cutting and 3D Printing | 15–16 days | Feb 03 – Feb 18 | Fabricated MDF structure and printed containers. |
| PCB Design and Production | 20–21 days | Feb 19 – Mar 11 | Functional custom PCB for final project control. |
| Programming of Sensors and Actuators | 18–19 days | Mar 12 – Mar 30 | Humidity reading and motor control code. |
| Communication and Interface | 20–21 days | Mar 31 – Apr 20 | Monitoring/control interface with ESP32-C3. |
| System Integration | 12–13 days | Apr 21 – May 03 | Mechanical, electronic, and software integration. |
| Testing, Calibration, and Debugging | 15–16 days | May 04 – May 19 | Validated watering cycle and adjusted thresholds. |
| Final Documentation and Video | 10–11 days | May 20 – Jun 03 | Final website, slide, and one-minute video. |
6. Fab Academy Milestones
| Date | Milestone | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| May 20 | Open final presentation registration | Register for the final project presentation. |
| June 3 | Weekly assignments due | Complete and publish all weekly documentation. |
| June 8–12 | Final presentations | Present the final project to the Fab Academy evaluation team. |
| June 24 | Local to global evaluation deadline | Complete student + local + global review meeting. |
| July 1 | Global evaluation decisions deadline | Receive pass, provisional, or future evaluation decision. |
| July 27–31 | FAB26 graduation | Graduation period for students who complete the requirements. |
Fab Academy schedule reference used to organize the midterm planning.
7. Meeting with Instructors
A graded review meeting must be scheduled with the instructors to evaluate the final project system diagram, task list, project schedule, and weekly assignments.
| Meeting Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Meeting purpose | Midterm graded review of final project progress and weekly assignments. |
| Participants | Student, local instructor, and Fab Academy review team if required. |
| Suggested date | Before June 3, to verify weekly assignments before final deadline. |
| Materials to present | System diagram, Gantt chart, task list, project files, weekly assignment links, and current prototype evidence. |
| Expected result | Receive feedback and confirm the remaining work before final presentations. |
8. Files to Download
The following files correspond to the midterm planning documentation, final project schedule, system diagram, and development resources.
9. Evidence List
| Evidence | Suggested Image Path |
|---|---|
| Midterm hero image | images/w13/hero_midterm.jpg |
| System diagram | images/w13/system_diagram.jpg |
| Fab Academy schedule reference | images/w13/fab_schedule_reference.jpg |
| CAD model progress | images/w13/cad_progress.jpg |
| PCB progress | images/w13/pcb_progress.jpg |
| Prototype progress | images/w13/prototype_progress.jpg |
| Instructor review evidence | images/w13/instructor_review.jpg |
10. Conclusion
The midterm review helped organize the final project into clear development phases. The system diagram defines the relationship between sensor input, electronic control, motor actuation, mechanism, and irrigation function. The task list identifies what must be completed before the final presentation.
The Gantt chart provides a visual schedule for completing the final project and aligns the work with the official Fab Academy deadlines. The next important step is to meet with the instructors for a graded review and receive feedback before final fabrication, integration, and presentation.