Week 18: Applications and Implications
Final Project: OrquiWall Smart System
Assignment Objective
In this week I documented the application, implications, planning, and evaluation strategy of my final project. As a Fab Academy student, I used this assignment to clarify what my project does, who it is for, what parts I need to make or buy, which fabrication processes I will use, and how I will evaluate the final prototype.
What Will It Do?
My final project, OrquiWall Smart System, will work as a smart wall module for orchid care. I designed it to combine a digitally fabricated MDF frame, a 3D printed orchid pot, a water reservoir, a custom PCB, sensors, an LCD interface, and a motorized mechanism. The system supports a real orchid, monitors humidity conditions, displays information, and validates an automated irrigation concept inside a biophilic wall object.
Who Has Done What Beforehand?
Before developing my project, I reviewed the idea of smart planters, automated irrigation systems, vertical gardens, and biophilic wall installations. I found that many existing products focus on one function, such as watering reminders or moisture measurement. In my case, I wanted to integrate several layers in one Fab Academy prototype: vertical wall support, digital fabrication, custom electronics, mechanical movement, and orchid-specific presentation.
| Existing Area | Typical Approach | Difference in OrquiWall |
|---|---|---|
| Smart planters | Container with sensor or reminder | Wall-integrated system with custom frame, reservoir, LCD, and mechanical layer. |
| Vertical gardens | Large modular plant panels | Focused orchid module with digital fabrication and automation prototype. |
| DIY irrigation systems | Sensor plus pump or valve | Integrated with custom PCB, case, frame, and final physical design. |
What Will Be Designed?
For this project I designed the parts that make the system specific to my final idea. I did not want to use only commercial modules; I wanted the frame, pot, reservoir, electronics case, motor supports, and PCB to be part of the same design language and fabrication workflow.
| Designed Element | Software / Method | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Organic wall frame | Fusion 360 and Slicer for Fusion 360 | Main structural and aesthetic support. |
| Water reservoir and orchid pot elements | Fusion 360 and Ultimaker Cura | Biological and irrigation interface. |
| Wiring case | Fusion 360 and FDM printing | Protects and organizes system wiring. |
| Motor supports and bearing holders | Fusion 360 and FDM printing | Supports lead screw, motor, and moving axis. |
| Custom PCB | KiCad and vector trace preparation | Connects ESP32 XIAO C3, A4988, sensors, LCD, and switches. |
What Materials and Components Will Be Used?
I selected the materials according to the fabrication process and the role of each component. MDF is used for the cut frame, PLA for the printed parts, and electronic/mechanical components for sensing, display, and movement. The project uses both fabricated and purchased parts, because the goal is system integration.
| Category | Materials / Components | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | MDF 5.5 mm | Laser-cut sliced frame and press-fit support. |
| 3D printed parts | PLA | Pot, reservoir, cable case, motor supports, bearing holders. |
| Electronics | Custom PCB, ESP32 XIAO C3, A4988, LCD, humidity sensor, 2 limit switches | Control, sensing, interface, and movement references. |
| Mechanical system | Stepper motor 12-15 V, 40 cm lead screw, bearing, guide rods | Movement and positioning mechanism. |
| Plant system | Orchid, substrate, reservoir | Biological validation and irrigation test. |
What Processes Will Be Used?
As a Fab Academy student, I used different digital fabrication processes to make each layer of the project. I used CAD to design the objects, laser cutting for the MDF frame, 3D printing for the pot and supports, KiCad for PCB design, fiber laser for PCB fabrication, and embedded programming for system control.
How Much Will It Cost?
For the cost estimate, I used the highest value from my original range and increased it by 20% to include uncertainty, shipping, material waste, and prototype iteration. These are reference costs for planning, not final purchase receipts. The Amazon links are search references to help locate equivalent components.
| Item | Original High Cost | High Cost + 20% | Amazon Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF sheet 5.5 mm | $15.00 | $18.00 | Amazon search | Used for the sliced frame and structural testing. |
| PLA filament | $15.00 | $18.00 | Amazon search | Used for reservoir, pot, case, and mechanical supports. |
| ESP32 XIAO C3 | $12.00 | $14.40 | Amazon search | Main microcontroller for sensing and control. |
| A4988 stepper motor driver | $5.00 | $6.00 | Amazon search | Driver used for the stepper motor. |
| Stepper motor and 40 cm lead screw | $30.00 | $36.00 | Amazon search | Mechanical movement system. |
| Humidity sensor, LCD, limit switches, cables | $20.00 | $24.00 | Amazon search | Inputs, output interface, end stops, and wiring. |
| PCB copper board/material | $8.00 | $9.60 | Amazon search | Fiber laser PCB fabrication material. |
| Total project estimate | $105.00 | $126.00 | - | Total using highest original costs plus 20% contingency. |
Note: These links are product-search references, not fixed quotations. Prices can vary depending on seller, shipping, country, and availability.
What Questions Need to Be Answered?
Can my MDF sliced frame support the reservoir, orchid pot, and electronics?
I needed to verify that the frame was not only decorative. In my project, the sliced MDF structure has to support the pot, the reservoir, the LCD, the cable routing, and part of the mechanical system. I evaluated this by assembling the frame and placing the real components on it.
Can my motor, lead screw, and supports move reliably without blocking the structure?
I tested the motorized mechanism separately before integrating it into the final frame. This helped me understand if the lead screw, bearing, guide rods, and printed supports were aligned enough to allow movement without excessive friction.
Can my PCB control the motor and read the sensor signals safely?
I designed and fabricated a custom PCB because I wanted the electronics to be part of the final system, not only a breadboard prototype. I checked the board through soldering, continuity testing, and connection tests with the ESP32 XIAO C3, A4988 driver, LCD, humidity sensor, and limit switches.
Can I route the wiring without interfering with moving parts or the reservoir?
I had to organize the wiring through openings in the MDF frame and inside a printed case. This was important because loose cables could touch the lead screw or make the final prototype difficult to maintain.
Does my final object communicate a smart biophilic product?
I wanted the final result to look like an integrated orchid care object, not only a technical test. For that reason, I used the organic sliced frame, visible orchid, red reservoir, LCD interface, and final presentation photos to evaluate the design language.
How Will It Be Evaluated?
I evaluated the project as a complete system. My success criteria were not only that each part existed, but that the parts could work together: structure, electronics, movement, irrigation, plant presentation, and documentation.
| Evaluation Area | Success Criteria |
|---|---|
| Structure | The frame stands vertically and holds the main components. |
| Electronics | PCB, ESP32, driver, LCD, sensor, and switches connect correctly. |
| Mechanism | Motor and lead screw move without excessive friction or misalignment. |
| Irrigation concept | Reservoir and pot can be tested with water and orchid placement. |
| Documentation | Design, fabrication, code, and files are explained and downloadable. |
