My most complicated project of all was developing a 3-axis robotic arm using an Arduino, potentiometers, micro servos, and popsicle sticks.
After gaining a deep interest in robotic arms' precise and smoothly conducted movements in order to perform a particular task from Youtubers such as Michael Reeves, Jeremy Fielding, and Stuff Made Here, I decided to turn my interest into reality.
After researching to discover the best method of executing this project, I discovered the most precise component to use to control these low voltage servos were variable resistors or potentiometers.
Moreover, by mapping each potentiometer's inputs to match the rotation of the micro servo in degrees, the difficult part of the project was complete and everything else fell in place, resulting in an overall successful project.
Overall, I am happy with the result of this project as I not only got to learn more about something I'm passionate about, but I also gained valuable coding, designing, and engineering knowledge along the way.
Wire Diagram of The 3-Axis Robotic Arm
GitHub - JamesEnsley/3-Axis-Robotic-Arm
Another project that I took on was developing a self-rotating radar detector that has an ultrasonic sensor attached to a slowly rotating micro servo. When an object comes in proximity to the ultrasonic sensor, both the distance and angle away from the sensor are displayed on its built-in LCD screen.
Essentially, the program runs through a simple for loop between 0 and 180 and sends this input to the micro servo, causing it to rotate. As it rotates, the ultrasonic sensor is constantly accepting inputs from the surrounding area, when it receives an input (or an object is in its vicinity) an if statement is run, causing it to output both its angle and distance.
In all, I'm happy with the final results, and I found this project gave me impactful engineering experience as not only did I have to develop a particular software and design so it performs a particular function, but also keep it constrained in such a tight space.
GitHub - JamesEnsley/Rotating-Radar-Detector
One of my very first Arduino projects was this 5-pin push-button combination lock that uses 5 separately wired push buttons that are inputs are used to both light up the 5 LEDs but also rotate the micro servo, simulating a door unlocking.
This project was fun because I got to develop something for a real-world, common application while also developing a good foundation with intertwined if statements for the encryption of the buttons.
GitHub - JamesEnsley/6-pin-LED-Lock
Similar to the 180 degrees radar detector, this project uses an ultrasonic sensor to detect any objects in front of it. This was my first project with the ultrasonic sensors which led to my fascination with them in general, I see soo much potential in them as they have multiple applications.