Week 6: Making Things To Be More Convenient.

              WEEK 6 : MAKING THINGS TO BE MORE CONVENIENT

Hi guysss!
We are back again with some exciting updates, progress and also ideas!
Here we go! ☺☺☺

Now that our microscope looks fine and should be ready to serve our needs. However, because we are using the camera from smartphone, we realized a problem which is the image resolution. The sample specimen somehow need to be brought close enough but yet not too close to the lens in order to produce a nice and sharp image. This can be done simply by holding the specimen and adjust it accordingly using hand, while adjusting the level of the specimen holder, but the problem is, different specimen has different focal length and sometimes even we adjusted the specimen holder to the maximum top height, the specimen is still too far away to be focused! Although this problem can be solved simply by holding the specimen and stay static (never move your hand away!) so that it can be brought focus, but imagine, what if the user is using the microscope alone and there is no other extra hand(s) available around! He/she might have not enough hand to take the image picture, record down the observation or to do other things, because one or both of his/her hand is holding the specimen !


Nobody wants that to happen! 😓

Therefore, we came out with an idea. To build something that can move up and down accordingly while holding the specimen! And yes, this is the part that we are going to involve some computer programming.

To begin with, we have constructed a rough plan about how the lever should roughly looks like. The motor will control one of the roller attached with belt to control the ascending/descending motion.

However, a draft is a draft. There is still some details to be modified still. For example, how to make sure the clip is hung properly and stable on the belt. These are the mechanical parts that are to be discussed among our group again. But anyway, let's start with the electronic part first. 

Now, we need a "brain" to control the lever. The "brain" is actually a microcontroller in which we can program the things we hope the machine will do into it. In our case, we brought an Arduino UNO and DC motor from a robotic store located at South City Plaza, Seri Kembangan.

DC Motor
i) 3.7V coreless 60000rpm motor (smaller in size)
ii) 3.7V coreless 50000rpm motor (larger in size)

Arduino UNO microcontroller

Some major component of an Arduino microcontroller

The tutorial about how to use an Arduino UNO can be easily available on the internet. We found the tutorial at http://www.funduino.de/Arduino-tutorials-08092014.pdf.

The LED on the pin 13 is served to test out if the Arduino board is functioning well or not. The default setting should be blinking of the LED once per second. However, we can easily change this setting by changing the programming code(we called it 'sketch') that is uploaded into the Arduino. The sketch can be constructed and uploaded through a software named "Arduino IDE". Below is the link to download the software. 

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

Arduino IDE

Homepage of Arduino IDE

Basically, the sketch (code) contain three main parts. The first part is the "Name Variable", second part is the "Setup", and finally the third part is the "Loop". Let's start with first part.

1) Name Variable

In this part, the elements of the program are named. This part is not really necessary and can be avoided most of the times, but can be useful when it is to be used.

2) Setup

This is the part where no one can escape. Here, we need to tell the program for example what pin(slot for cables) should be the input and which one should be the output. The input means that the board should read out a voltage, and the output means that the pin should give out a voltage. For example, when a switch is on, the board recognize this action because there is incoming votage (input) and causes the LED to be lighted up(output).

3) Loop

Looping causes the action to be repeated continuously by the board. It reads the sketch from the beginning till the end all over again and therefore performing the action repeatedly.

A test on the Arduino board is then done. The test is done by manipulating the blinking frequency of the LED on pin 13. The sketch and tutorial can be seen as from page 12/100 in the tutorial link posted above. Greatly, everything work out just fine.

Blinking frequency: 1 second (default setting)

Blinking frequency: 100millisecond

Of course, an Arduino board and motor is totally not enough to complete our project. This time, we choose to visit an electronic component shop called Nixie Electronic which are located at Jalan Pasar to buy our stuff. 

Nixie Electronics. 

(We're unable to take the photo straight in front of the signboard because there are some mamak stalls located there)

Alligator clip

Belt pulley set (roller)

Drive shaft

Jumper wire

Solderless breadboard

L293D IC

LED and resistor (100ohm x2 and 200ohm x2)

Rubber belt set

Strip board in line

Tactile push switch

10k ohm variable resistor

Multi core wire

6V DC motor

The LED and the resistor are brought in order to learn some basic skills and the function of the Arduino board first. Following the tutorial, we managed to test the alternating blinking of LED and also fading of LED which are controlled by the Arduino.

Alternate blinking LED - pg16-17

Fading LED - pg18-20

Alternate blinking of LED

Fading LED

Next is to make the motor to be able to turn in either clockwise/anti-clockwise direction so that the clip can move up and down. The circuit is connected as shown below.

The difficulties and obstacles faced while doing this is that, although the motor did really turn in reverse direction when the switch button is clicked, however, the sensitivity is not there yet. This means that let's say the motor is turning in clockwise direction initially, then, after clicking the switch for one time, the direction did not change yet. The direction is only to be changed after a few clicking on the switch. But for sometimes, only by clicking the switch once, the spinning direction changed immediately. Also, sometimes after the switch is clicked, the motor slowed down (ready to change spinning direction) but somehow, it spins in the same direction again after slowing down. The problem is to be continue diagnosed and solve on the following weeks.

Beside doing all these thing, we also think of something to let the audience have an optimum view on the image our microscope shows. We borrowed a mini LCD projector from Chiam's elder brother and connect it to the computer so that the image can be projected to a larger screen on the exhibition day. However, as projector requires a dark surrounding and we are not yet sure about the environment of the exhibition spot, we should see again if we can bring the LCD and bring it to action on that day! Fret not, guys! a laptop should be enough to get a very good view already and you guys will see our image clearly that day! 😏😏😏

Testing the LCD projector.

Ok till then, guys!

Time is running out! we gotta prepare the gear for the remaining work!

Pray for us, ya! 👄

XOXO 💘,

Team Sotong