PID Controlled Target Sensor
Controls Project
For this project, I and my team of 5 members were tasked with designing a four-bar linkage where the motion of the mechanism is governed by a PID controller. The purpose of the mechanism is to accurately and quickly strike 5 targets (photosensors) with a flashlight. Our device and code had to detect in real-time which target is available (as indicated by a raised flag) then eliminate the target by shining a flashlight on it for 2 seconds. The video on the right shows a performance of our mechanism striking the targets. Our mechanism was placed in the top 10 of the class and awarded for its performance and design.
What I Learned
I learned the importance of making professional engineering drawings that accurately convey the dimensions and function of a part so that a manufacturing team is able to precisely build the part in a machine shop.