Balance Beam - Individual Project
Spring 2023
My Role: Everything (Individual Project)
Skillsets: CAD modeling, PCB design, PID control, 3-D printing, Arduino programming, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), lathe/mill machining, soldering, sheet metal work
Objective:
Build a machine that can balance a ping-pong ball at the center of a balance beam.
Results:
I built a machine from acrylic, sheet metal, and 3-D parts, along with a motion sensor, servo motor, and custom-built PCB to successfully accomplish the objective.
Process:
The design and construction of this machine required the coordination of various system components, which required various processes:
Arm design - Through iterative processes using easily-constructed materials such as cardboard, the ideal length for each moveable acrylic arm was determined before construction, to provide the best mobility given the servo motor’s capabilities.
Component construction - I designed and built every mechanical component of the system, first through CAD modeling in SolidWorks and then using a lathe (for axles), mill (for the balance beam itself), 3-D printer (for sensor mount), sheet metal tools (for support structures), and saws (for acrylic arms).
Circuit/PCB Design - I designed and printed the PCB, and soldered its components. Additionally, I programmed a PID controller into the Arduino controlling the sensor and servo motor, adjusted by three potentiometers on the PCB.
Results & Discussion:
This project was a successful and complete culmination of many different engineering skills. Designing and constructing the balance beam alone was a unique challenge, and I learned a lot about the integration of different components in a singular system. By bringing different facets of my skill set together, I built something that accomplished its outlined goals, and something that I can call wholly my own.
Fully constructed system, balancing a ball
Completed custom PCB
CAD model of mechanical components