Wire Winder continue 2

Some time has passed and the wire winder CAD is now finished and ready to be water jetted. The water-jet will only happen next year. Below is some pictures of the wire winder.

Winder Control Motors

Coil Winder Control Motors

A coil winder is automated machine that winders coils of different diameters on a given core. It will have a User Interface that will allow the user to select the type of coil to be winded and the amount of turn around the core.

On the image above is a Wantai stepper motor which is powered by 24 V DC and a current of 3.0 A. It is driven by a  Single Axis Controller 3 A TB6560 Stepper Motor Drivers Board that allows the control of the steps(rotation) by a 5 V input signal and the control of the direction by a HIGH(5V) for clockwise and LOW(GND) unti-clockwise . The stepper motor would be would be responsible for controlling the winding process with the condition given by the user.

On the image above is a 3-phase induction motor with a supply of 220 V AC  and a variable motor speed driver.that will control the start,forward and reverse of the motor. The motor would be responsible for rotating the drum so the coil can be released to the stepper motor. The motor must be set on the speed required for the winding process to be completed correctly.

So far all the individual testing have been done and have shown good results and implementation of the whole winding machine is still in process.

Thank You

KZ Motshoane, R Bigirimana, DW Adibayo and TH Mapengo

pcDuino Setup and basic configurations

 pcDuino  Board

pcDuino is a mini PC platform that runs PC like OS such as Ubuntu and Android ICS. It outputs screen to HDMI. Moreover, it has hardware headers interface compatible with Arduino (TM) and It also provides a JAVA platform for application development.

We have have configured all the board and connected all the necessary connections, to setup a development environment. The board will be the supper brain of the waterfall project as it will be responsible for the processing of the user interface and controlling the required hardware components of the project.

Thank You

KZ Motshoane and TH Mapengo   

Waterfall Project User Interface (sample)

Waterfall Project User Interface (sample)

The waterfall projects provides the user with an interesting graphical user interface whereby the user can  navigate, brows and select an image of choice from the file storage.

The graphical user interface is 60% complete but will provide features such as:

- Selecting an image from file.
- Displaying image of the Graphical User Interface (in progress).
- Display binary image on the user interface.
- Send the binary data to be processed and displayed on the waterfall display(in process).
- Clear binary display to allow a new image selection.
- Exit the Graphical User Interface after having fun with your image display.

New mind blowing features are still COMING SOON... 

Hope I got your mind's focused on the Waterfall Project.
Thank You

KZ Motshoane

Setting up the security camera

                                            Setting up the security camera for Work Station

The aim of the task was to set up the camera so that me and my co-workers could work in a safe environment whereby we would be sure that our equipment and belongings are well looked after.

The first step was mounting the camera on the wall at an angel that will provide the view of the entrance of the work space, as well as an 80% view of the work space.

The next step was to test power supplies in order to get a 12V DC supply  for both the display(Monitor) and the camera.
                                                 
                                                           

The last step was to mount the display on the wall in Mr AC De Villiers (Admin) office so he can monitor the work space in-terms of giving access to personnel and security reasons. The camera was well installed and was working accordingly.

                             

The task was well completed with the assistance of my co-workers Mr  DW  Adebayo and Mr KZ Motshoane.

Thank You.

Raphael Bigirimana

Powering the work stations

                                                    Stetting Up Power Rails

                               

We had limited power in our work station, to plug in most of the equipment we were required to use to complete the Waterfall project. As a Power engineer student I decided to take a safe approach of setting up the power rains under the work station tables to keep wires from running all around the work station, so my co-workers and I can be safe if any electrical failure occurs.

Making sure that all sockets connections are done correctly to provide a well safe environment for everyone to use.

Thank You.

Raphael Bigirimana

work for the day 2/10/2012

sizwe and i tested the camera but we had problem on the power supply, i managed to mount one of the electric sockets on the working station.

Storage Cupboard Completed

Friday 3/10
I completed the storage cupboard for tools. Organizing and arranging all hand tools getting ready to be put to use.

Both handles and locks on  both sides of the cupboard doors were yanked out previously.
I cut plates provided to size and placed them on both sides of the wooden door.I held them up in positions using bolt and nuts.

Hinge and the lock bracket and now screwed and held properly.

Task completed.Tools safe and well arranged.
Looking forward to Monday.

The Wire Winder- drum section

The Wire Winder - drum section

The project now come to a stage where we have decided to build a winder to wind all the coils of the solenoids for this project. The reason for deciding to build this is to keep in budget as the coils/solenoids is too expensive.

The wire winder consists of 4 sections mainly. The sections are the drum holder, the wire guide, the winder and the the controlling electronics. Above is the first section, the drum holder. It is design for a drum of maximum 1/2m and can take any smaller size drum. It should be able to carry a drum weight of +-50 kg of wire. We are going to water-jet the aluminum for faster manufacturing and this is the cheaper option in South Africa.

I hope to post the slider section shortly. 

Alles van die beste
Stephan

Building our own little workspace

Workspace Wednesday  01/10/2014

One of our constrains is the ability to work "UN-interrupted" by fellow students. Mr De Villiers had a little space before his office and was kind enough to hand it over to us(Poor man).

So our own little space. Now we have to change it to our needs for planning our project, student free.....
So, first things first. Since I am the power guy, guess what I must do?
I was assembling  the electric sockets and breakers to be mounted on the working tables. When we (fetse  and I) had some spear time, we tested power supplies to check which one is suitable to drive a 24 v electric motor to be used on the winder .

Starting with bits and pieces on the project

1 October 2014


We had a little group discussion about the winder and one of the things that come to topic was the need of interrupts. I,myself did have experience on interrupts first hand and offered to investigate.
This interrupts are going to be handy  for  user interface and speed control on the winder. Can't wait for the parts to come.....

While waiting, Me and Raphael where busy with testing the power supplies and managed to get the 24V supply from one of the power supply for our 24v stepper motor which we stripped from two broken HP printer. Who said we are not "green" we recycle....

Greetings Kefentse Motshoane

The interface on the winder is for now a 16 x 2 LCD. We found a few old ones lying around and I was busy soldering and testing the LCD's. The Human Machine interface input for now is a hex keypad through the Arduino. Later we are going to look at capacitive touch.....

Greetings Thembhani Mapengo

At our own place(we need a name for this) we(Sizwe and I)  worked on completion of the CCTV camera. We traveled to Communica for additional spares and enclosure. So now our place have CCTV and our tools disappearing can be monitored...

I also worked on the braces for the tools cupboard drilling the holes on the plates at MSL getting them ready to be mounted.

Greetings ADEBAYO DW

Introduction

Introduction

This project is an attempt to build a "graphical waterfall" as in the Osaka train station in Japan.
Our aim as students is to unify the different departments of engineering at the TSHWANE UNIVERSITY of Technology (TUT) with one goal in mind: The diverse Engineering faculties disciplines  together to gain a universal engineered project. The small budget for this project, force us to make use of plain/basic material and the local equipment on campus.

The team consists of ten people and is as follow:

Project Manager: Mr. De Villiers
Mr De Villiers is a lecturer here at TUT. His role is guidance and as we call it: "the missing link between student and administration staff/personnel."



Team Leader: Mr. Nxumalo
Name: Sizwe Nxumalo
Field: Mechatronics
Responsibilities : CAD,Programming and electronics.


Team Member: Mr.  Adebayo
Name: ADEBAYO DARE WILLIAMS
Field: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
AKA: " ADE "
Responsibilities : CAD, WELDING & MECHANICAL SKILLS


Team Member: Mr.  Morake
Name:Thapelo Morake
Field:Mechanical
AKA: "LATE"
Responsibilities :

Team Member: Mr.   Mgwezane
Name: Rex Mgwezane
Field: Mechatronics
AKA: "Rex"
Responsibilities :

Team Member: Mr.  Bigirimana
Name: Raphael
Field: Electrical Engineering
AKA: "Raphael  "
Responsibilities : power supply & Electrical skills

Team Member: Mr.  Motshoane
Name:Kefentse
Field: Computer Engineer
AKA: " fentse"
Responsibilities : Computer System User Interface

Team Member: Mr. Mapengo 
Name:Thembhani
Field:Computer Systems Engineering
AKA: " Harry "
Responsibilities Develop a software/system for the Waterfall project

Team Member: Mr. De Beer 
Name: Stephan
Field: Electrical
Responsibilities : Logistics and general design of project.

Waterfall – Testing of water characteristic when falling

Waterfall – Testing of water characteristic when falling

Some concern for the project was how close the holes must be before the water stream would be joined together and spoil the display. How far must you stand to see the display and questions like how far would water stream fall before becoming a line of drops. These questions could only be answered by building a sample. So we build it…..

TUT strike ended

TUT strike ended

Well it is good to say, the three week strike by students has come to an end. Now it is the big rat race to bring everything up to date again.

The Project Sections

The project has been divided into three divisions. Electrical/electronics/digital, mechanical and IT.
Although we are from different engineering disciplines, we will all work together, some times out of our comfort zone. So the sections.....

The first section will be:o Mechanical section

The most of the project seems to be mechanical, but as a fixed/human operation concerns, the other two sections is needed to make them variable, add human interface and just make it bit more interestting. 
The waterfall feature will be broken(a lot of breaking and no building jet) into the following sections(mechanical sections) 

1. Unit to keep all together
2. Unit to store water at top level

Unit to control the falling water

Unit to entrap the falling water

system to treat/clean water and restore at top unit

The second section: IT

So the question comes to mind: IT why? Well, as it has a graphical feature/nature and we somehow want to display images, entered from a PC/Phone ....., why not? And they are micro controller educated, will save some time on the electrical side....

1. OS
2.  Software/interface text/image to electronics usable data
3. HMI

The third section: Electrical section

The electrical guys. Do I need to say more? Let's get down to business.

1. Electricity distribution  to required components. In South Africa 400/230v.
2. Power supplies for required voltages of sections
3. Control of mechanical's section 5 (assuming pump) to control flow.
4. Control of mechanical's section 3
5. Lighting to see falling water

strike@TUT

Well we can't really update our blog as there are a strike at TUT.  Any of you guys want to update about the strike, feel free.....

Introduction

This project is an attempt to Build a "graphical waterfall" as in the Osaka train station in Japan.
Our aim as students is to unify the different departments of engineering at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) with one goal in mind: The Divers Engineering faculties disciplines Together to Gain a universal Engineered project. The small budget for this project, force us to make use of plain / basic material and the local equipment on campus.

The team consists of ten people and is as follow:

Project Manager: Mr. De Villiers
Mr De Villiers is a lecturer here at TUT. His role is Guidance and as we call it: "the Missing link between student and administration staff / personnel."



Team Leader : Mr. Nxumalo
Name: Update you details please
Field: Electromechanics
AKA: ""
Responsibilities:

Team Member: Mrs. Mulaildzi
Name: Update you details please
Field: Mechanics
AKA: ""
Responsibilities:

Team Member: Mr. Adebayo
Name: Update you details please
Field:
AKA: ""
Responsibilities:

Team Member: Mr. Morake
Name: Update you details please
Field:
AKA: ""
Responsibilities:

Team Member: Mr. Manlanku
Name: Update you details please
Field:
AKA: ""
Responsibilities:

Team Member: Mr. Bigirimana
Name: Update you details please
Field:
AKA: ""
Responsibilities:

Team Member: Mr. Motshoane
Name: Kefentse
Field: Computer Engineer
AKA: " fentse"
Responsibilities: Computer Software User Interface

Team Member: Mr.T.H  Mapengo 
Name:Harry
Field:Computer Systems Engineering
AKA: Harry
Responsibilities: Develop software or create a system for the waterfall project  www.tut.ac.za

Team Member: Mr. De Beer 
Name: Stephan
Field: Electrical
Responsibilities: Logistics and general design of the project.