This video provides an update on a multi-disciplinary project-based learning unit where students are designing and building a lift bridge that allows boats to pass. Now in week four, teams showcase their progress across mechanical, civil, electrical, mechatronic, and software engineering aspects. Key demonstrations include a detailed CAD model of the bridge's structure and lifting mechanism, a functional 3D-printed boom gate operated by a servo, and a web server for visualizing and manually controlling the bridge's state. Students also present their traffic light logic, motor control systems, and the integration of infrared and ultrasonic sensors (though IR sensors have some issues). Future plans include integrating all electronics onto a custom PCB control panel and developing a Wi-Fi access point for remote control. The video highlights the practical application of engineering principles and problem-solving in a complex, integrated system.
Summarizing the Lift Bridge Project: Week 4 Progress
0:00 Project Overview: Students are engaged in a multidisciplinary project to design and build a lift bridge for boats, integrating mechanical, civil, electrical, mechatronic, and software engineering. This video showcases their progress in week four.
0:18 Bridge CAD Model: Students present a detailed CAD model of their bridge design, demonstrating its ability to sustain weight and lift to allow ships to pass. The design appears robust and well-thought-out.
0:51 Working Boom Gate: A functional boom gate is demonstrated, utilizing a servo motor mounted in a 3D-printed enclosure and controlled by a simple switch. The design emphasizes easy assembly and disassembly.
1:30 Web Server for Control System: A web server hooked up to an ESP microcontroller provides a visual representation of the bridge's control system state. Students can manually control the bridge's position, demonstrating their software progress for the main lift mechanism.
2:04 Traffic Light System Logic: Testing of traffic lights for both cars and boats is shown, along with hazard warnings. The system is designed to indicate when the bridge is moving (all traffic stopped, warnings on) versus when it's in a safe, closed position (cars green, boats red).
2:26 Motor Controller and Infrared Sensors: A motor controller allows for changing the direction of the bridge motor. Infrared sensors are intended to detect boat proximity, though they are not yet performing as expected.
2:42 Custom PCB for Control Panel: Components currently on a breadboard will be transferred to a custom-built PCB, forming a centralized control panel for the entire bridge system, mimicking a real-world control box.
3:06 Wi-Fi Access Point for Remote Control: An ESP32 is used as a Wi-Fi access point, enabling users to connect and remotely control system elements, such as turning on LEDs or activating basic animations, with future plans for full bridge integration.
3:48 Functional Ultrasonic Sensor: An ultrasonic sensor successfully measures distance, providing live readouts that change as an object moves closer or further away, demonstrating its working capability for boat detection.
4:10 Lift Bridge Mechanism Design: The design for the main lift bridge involves a spool to drag a cable. Students are using a Meccano model to test the strength of pulleys and methods for attaching the spool to the rod (e.g., welding, bushes).
4:52 Comprehensive Signal and Sensor Systems: An overview of all integrated sensors and signals includes beam brakes (for bridge clearance), ultrasonics (for approaching ships), four traffic lights (for cars and bridge sides), and limit switches (to monitor bridge open/closed states).
5:14 Software Emulation: The team is using an emulator to test and refine their code in a software environment before deploying it to the physical system.