Team Accomplishments

This week we presented our final presentation to the class including the use case, design decisions, system implementation, and test strategies we used throughout the project. We also ran many tests (up to 20 official tests) to gauge the robustness and accuracy of our system and individual components. We noticed a lot more leakage and spillage than we anticipated during testing, hence we applied a sealage to the valves in order to minimize this risk. Furthermore, we standardized lengths and orientation of pipes in order to get consistent flow rates for easier testing. We also, through trial and error, figured out timings for valves to stay open corresponding to volumes in mL. Furthermore we began working on the poster, completing the pitch, system architecture, system implementation, and testing sections for next week.

Testing

• Ran unit tests involving dispensing to get better accuracy of volume dispensed, the results were within 10 percent error. Also ran tests involving garnish selection so arm has higher success rate of grabbing the various fruits, currently at about 70 percent success. Ran repetitive trials to gauge consistency and any edge cases that could cause system failure, so far the system doesn’t fail but we plan on testing a lot more for confidence in robustness.
• A notable design change was cutting down and standardizing length of wires  for more homogeneous flow rates as well as elevating platform to hide and protect circuitry. This ensured the testing of the dispensing unit had standardized conditions and also helped calculate timing for valves to stay open.
• Another design change was adding sealing tape to the valves as we observed a lot more leakage and spillage than we anticipated during testing

We are currently on schedule

Personal Accomplishment

• From last week, we were having issues with leakage so we bought a sealant from amazon to prevent this spillage linked here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QH2NVM1?aref=lMNy4leknS&aaxitk=43f4d7c040d3595ae4ff5b19e7a9bfed&language=en_US&pf_rd_p=4500617b-0cc7-45a9-8bde-f455bfff54d3&pf_rd_r=PM1NQ09VXSYAG6H5D201&pd_rd_wg=mlWzO&pd_rd_w=R8mNi&pd_rd_r=a5477621-1d08-47ba-abcb-038e037683dd&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref=dacx_dp_584513011770653646_581762112201876234
• Presented our final presentation slides including our overall design, system implementation and testing
• Link to image of our final implementation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V3DTjaAlpKhC7MVdhEhgtV_RTbuMcXRj/view?usp=sharing
• Wrote the system implementation and testing sections  for the final poster

Testing

• Ran unit tests involving dispensing to get better accuracy of volume dispensed, the results were within 10 percent error. Also ran tests involving garnish selection so arm has higher success rate of grabbing the various fruits, currently at about 70 percent success. Ran repetitive trials to gauge consistency and any edge cases that could cause system failure, so far the system doesn’t fail but we plan on testing a lot more for confidence in robustness.
• A notable design change was cutting down and standardizing length of wires  for more homogeneous flow rates as well as elevating platform to hide and protect circuitry. This ensured the testing of the dispensing unit had standardized conditions and also helped calculate timing for valves to stay open.
• Another design change was adding sealing tape to the valves as we observed a lot more leakage and spillage than we anticipated during testing

Next Week Goals:

•  Create the Final Video Demo
• Prepare for the in person presentation
• Write the final report

Status: On Schedule

Personal Accomplishments

• Finalized all the wiring for the 6 solenoid valves and added extra clamping to stabilize system and expand it out
• Adjusted web app to look nicer with custom css seen here: https://github.com/aakinci32/barbelt/blob/82f2b717e92d8edd038024e3ad7b8b6a2806b690/BarBelt/templates/products.html#L8
• Tested the dispensing system using different requests through the ingredients page, products, page, and recommendations system using voice
  • Valve selection was 100 percent accurate and we testing up to 50 different drinks to ensure correct valves opened
• Helped design final layout for dispensing platform which my teammate Arda finalized and build through his wood shop class shown below

Learning

Through this experience I learned a lot of hardware in terms of building a robotic arm using Arduino, specifically building and adjusting motors in the arms to gauge physical movement capabilities. I also learned electromagnetic principles in how to operate the stirring of the pill using a magnet and controlling its torque. I also learned how to work with the Arduino IDE altogether including managing multiple ports and interacting with the serial monitor. I also learned how to write Arduino checkpoints and agreements which we used for integration between our various parts. Finally, I learned how to use many of the wood shop tools including a drill hole, table saw, etc. Many of these learning new skills took much time through online videos, consulting my peers, TAs , and professors, but ultimately I learned it the most through experience and everyday putting in the effort to gain and be sufficient in the skills required.

Next Week

• Prepare our final presentation along with planning set up and live demo

Schedule: On time

Personal Accomplishments

• Scaled out the valve system circuitry to handle multiple valves and added additional screws to minimize leakage.  Link to Image below shows this for 2 valves (will add 4 more this week).
  •  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ybm8si2S9msktVDp471zcipxxyNXv3TY/view?usp=drive_link
• Implemented parallel processing in terms of opening valves and closing valves with certain delays using threading in python web app
  • https://github.com/aakinci32/barbelt/blob/c637b3ea99b20109cabff1b28ce7a92275c7a112/BarBelt/arduino.py#L99
  • Link to video showing parallel pouring: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qKEYoIiZR0NajrIisGp3BHuI4G–HjCr/view?usp=drive_link
  • Integrated wheel and arm using handshakes via Serial.println such that arm moves when wheel done spinning and vise versa:
    • Link showing video of integration: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AqzoWQwhecUoRkIP48dVEdZ-Obk8P1KT/view?usp=drive_link

 

Next Week Goals:

• Scale out the dispensing system for 6 drinks
• Figure out pouring rates in terms of flow rate and timing
• Test out full integration multiple times
• Build platforms for orientation of system accordingly

Current Status: On Schedule

Personal Accomplishments

• • Built the circuitry for the electronic solenoid valve and programmed it to iteratively turn on and off
    • Link to video showing valve turning on and off (sound) and circuitry:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cYyzbUCx6jC4d_3jghCyST_yZ1O_LXlZ/view?usp=drive_link
  • Drilled holes and attached the tubes to sample bottles to determine appropriate containers to hold our liquids
  •  
  • Mapped Arduino pins to ingredients on the website (fixed for now) so we can scale out and control different valves for different drinks.
    • Link to function where communication between arduino and website occurs: https://github.com/aakinci32/barbelt/blob/dbc9e541826464d9527ecb484b8c9c31bc788d3a/BarBelt/arduino.py#L4
    • Link to mappings: https://github.com/aakinci32/barbelt/blob/dbc9e541826464d9527ecb484b8c9c31bc788d3a/BarBelt/constants.py#L1
  • Tested/Demo flow rate for 1/4 inch diameter tubing (deemed appropriate) to control precise volume of liquid
    • Link to Video showing demo of water flowing in increments through valve:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1URmfodUijLGzlicqquvTk_xCvq1XVxGO/view?usp=drive_link

 

Next Week Deliverables

• Scale out to about 5 or 6 drinks using solenoid valves and the appropriate tubing and bottles.
• Figure out how to elevate the wheel holding the bottles to ensure downward flow while ensuring the electronic circuitry is secure
• Map out and experiment time valve is open to volume of liquid dispensed in order to program amount in mL user wants to time valve should stay open

Status Report: On Schedule

Personal Accomplishments

• Reviewed and edited the Design Document with the appropriate schematics of valve attachement and connection to arduino
• Designed the circuitry for the connection between the Arduino and the solenoid valves
• Built the initial setup of tubing connection to appropriate solenoid valves and began planning out types of drinks and bottle sizes
• 

Next Week Deliverables

• Gather all of the parts needed for the circuit (including potentiometer, capacitors, motor driver) and begin testing different values for them respectively
• Buy appropriate drink containers and attach tubing to them
• Begin testing electronic valve openings and liquid control flow for different values

Status Report: On Schedule

This week, our team completed and presented during the design review, gathering feedback to refine our project further. We will be focusing on hardware integration, software communication, and system feasibility testing as we prepare for full assembly in the upcoming time.

On the hardware side, we finalized tubing size analysis and placed updated orders to ensure proper fluid flow. The robotic arm was assembled in preparation for integration, and we are beginning to plan the circuitry for solenoid valve control, and map connections for embedded system implementation. In parallel, we began researching how to integrate and power the various components properly and establish a smooth communication.

On the software side, we enhanced the Django WebApp, allowing users to select ingredients and mix drinks. We also established a communication channel between Python and Arduino to allow for result printing and system debugging.

As we prepare for assembly, a key challenge remains ensuring precise fluid control through the solenoid valves. To mitigate this, we compared several tubing sizes and materials and adaptors. Additionally, synchronizing the robotic arm with posing to grab the desired garnish could prove to be a hurdle, so we are working on its system control and integration  in parallel.

Next week, we will begin assembling a physical prototype, testing core components individually before automating the system. We will also finalize our circuit layout for embedded integration and complete the design review report for documentation. With these, we remain on schedule for software development, only slightly behind on physical system integration from the initial schedule due to receiving parts rather late.