About
My personal project was to make a robot that could paint your nails automatically. That concept led to a light sensor that, when sensing the presence of a finger, tells the motor above to move. Attached to that motor is a small brush with nail polish already on it, ready to paint. It moves, the finger gets painted, and the brush doesn't move again until it is told to do so.
Materials
I used the 3D printer for the outside, a Hummingbird Robotics kit (a light sensor and motor) and Create Lab Visual Programmer on a MacBook Air. I also used tap, paint, nail polish brushes, and paint brushes.
Tools
I used a MacBook air for 3D printing and coding. I also used a handheld drill to make a small hole for the light sensor to fit in. Lastly, I used a Hummingbird Robotics kit.
Reflection
The most challenging part was adjusting the light sensor's sensitivity (that's a mouthful!) and make sure that it almost always can tell when a finger is or isn't there. I just stuck with it and kept retrying new locations of lighting and the position of the sensor itself. The most fun and rewarding part was assembling it and actually painting my nails with it. Also, finishing the code, because I felt great that it actually could work. I didn't have to learn anything totally new while making this, but I did have to familiarize myself with 3D design. Throughout working, I found myself always trying new positions, materials, and angles for just about everything, from the light sensor to the wires to the motor. If I had the time, I would make the brush be even more accurate with brushing the nail. Overall, this was a very fun project and I feel very proud of the final result.
Below are some pictures of the final product. Enjoy and thank you for the opportunity.
My personal project was to make a robot that could paint your nails automatically. That concept led to a light sensor that, when sensing the presence of a finger, tells the motor above to move. Attached to that motor is a small brush with nail polish already on it, ready to paint. It moves, the finger gets painted, and the brush doesn't move again until it is told to do so.
Materials
I used the 3D printer for the outside, a Hummingbird Robotics kit (a light sensor and motor) and Create Lab Visual Programmer on a MacBook Air. I also used tap, paint, nail polish brushes, and paint brushes.
Tools
I used a MacBook air for 3D printing and coding. I also used a handheld drill to make a small hole for the light sensor to fit in. Lastly, I used a Hummingbird Robotics kit.
Reflection
The most challenging part was adjusting the light sensor's sensitivity (that's a mouthful!) and make sure that it almost always can tell when a finger is or isn't there. I just stuck with it and kept retrying new locations of lighting and the position of the sensor itself. The most fun and rewarding part was assembling it and actually painting my nails with it. Also, finishing the code, because I felt great that it actually could work. I didn't have to learn anything totally new while making this, but I did have to familiarize myself with 3D design. Throughout working, I found myself always trying new positions, materials, and angles for just about everything, from the light sensor to the wires to the motor. If I had the time, I would make the brush be even more accurate with brushing the nail. Overall, this was a very fun project and I feel very proud of the final result.
Below are some pictures of the final product. Enjoy and thank you for the opportunity.