Updates on Laminar Flow Nozzle

Dear readers,
Been involve in developing the garden in-front of my house. I am going to install laminar flow fountain their. I made this fountain from 6inch diameter 1foot length pipe. The stream seems to me a perfect laminar. you can see how crystal clear it is.
I have to install RGB lighting and cutter mechanism. A good micro-controller programming will reveal millions of colours in this fountain.

 

and here a small video clip. Actually the Nozzle is connected to low pressure tap water, therefore the laminar Arc is small. I have to make a small pond with pump that will give this fountain a real life.

Graphical Waterfall- Last Video

Hi,
This is the last video i made this morning. I added color additives to the water but the camera did not catch the graphics in the waterfall :)...

I am currently involves in too many projects and i am abandoning it for the time being. Following is the micro-controller programming i did:

//Pin connected to ST_CP of 74HC595
int latchPin = 6;
//Pin connected to SH_CP of 74HC595
int clockPin = 13;
////Pin connected to DS of 74HC595
int dataPin = 11;
byte FirstByte;
byte SecondByte;
byte ThirdByte;
byte FourthByte;
byte FifthByte;
int val;
byte serialInArray[5]; // array for storing 5 bytes as they arrive from VB software
int serialCount = 0; // for counting the number of bytes received


void setup() {
  //Start Serial for debuging purposes 
  Serial.begin(9600);
  //set pins to output because they are addressed in the main loop
  pinMode(latchPin, OUTPUT);

}

void loop() {
  
   if (Serial.available() > 0){
       serialInArray[serialCount] = Serial.read(); // read a byte sent by processing
        serialCount++;  // increment number of bytes received

    if (serialCount > 4 ) {  
 FirstByte = serialInArray[0]; 
 SecondByte = serialInArray[1]; 
        ThirdByte = serialInArray[2];
        FourthByte = serialInArray[3];
        FifthByte = serialInArray[4];
Serial.print(FirstByte);
Serial.print(SecondByte);
Serial.print(ThirdByte);
Serial.print(FourthByte);
Serial.print(FifthByte);
Serial.println("");

     digitalWrite(latchPin, 0);
    shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, FirstByte); 
             shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, SecondByte);
                 shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, ThirdByte);
                 shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, FourthByte);  
       shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, FifthByte);
     
   
    //return the latch pin high to signal chip that it 
    //no longer needs to listen for information
    digitalWrite(latchPin, 1);
 serialCount = 0;
 delay(20);
   }
}
}
void shiftOut(int myDataPin, int myClockPin, byte myDataOut) {
  // This shifts 8 bits out MSB first, 
  //on the rising edge of the clock,
  //clock idles low

//internal function setup
  int i=0;
  int pinState;
  pinMode(myClockPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(myDataPin, OUTPUT);

 //clear everything out just in case to
 //prepare shift register for bit shifting
  digitalWrite(myDataPin, 0);
  digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);

  //for each bit in the byte myDataOut�
  //NOTICE THAT WE ARE COUNTING DOWN in our for loop
  //This means that 000001 or "1" will go through such
  //that it will be pin Q0 that lights. 
  for (i=7; i>=0; i--)  {
    digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);

    //if the value passed to myDataOut and a bitmask result 
    // true then... so if we are at i=6 and our value is
    // %11010100 it would the code compares it to %01000000 
    // and proceeds to set pinState to 1.
    if ( myDataOut & (1<
      pinState= 1;
    }
    else { 
      pinState= 0;
    }

    //Sets the pin to HIGH or LOW depending on pinState
    digitalWrite(myDataPin, pinState);
    //register shifts bits on upstroke of clock pin  
    digitalWrite(myClockPin, 1);
    //zero the data pin after shift to prevent bleed through
    digitalWrite(myDataPin, 0);
  }

  //stop shifting
  digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);
}

The Graphical Waterfall- First testing

This is first test of graphical waterfall consist 40 solenoid valves. All the things working fine but the graphics are hardly visible due to:
1- I have long tubing downstream the solenoids...If small metallic nozzles directly connected to the solenoid i would have got good results.
2- The Height of the solenoid. The solenoid are installed at about 8feet height, i think to see the graphical effect it must be 20 feet or above.

Any comments to improve will be highly appreciated

Almost there

Did wiring of Solenoids, not that good but if all thing work i will organize the wiring..Tomorrow is D'Day...Hope a good news..

Installation of Hardware for Graphical Waterfall

At last i completed the wiring of Solenoids and made an RC circuit to inject high current for short duration to increase the response time of solenoid. The resistance is 47RJ 5Watt and the capacitors i used are 50V 100mFarad.

 and fabricated the sump from 24gauge galvanized sheet.

Tubing and wiring of solenoid..The most hectic work;)

just installed the Header at its place and the pump:)

Graphical Water fall- Single Solenoid valve testing with Water

I have added some videos on the Youtube. Actually i was testing a single solenoid valve and checking the response time.

The following video is a simple arrangement of solenoid without using RC .

and this one is with addition of Resistor 45.3 Ohm  and capacitor 50v 220mF.

Graphical Water fall- 1st Step to Reality

Moving toward the actual working of the Graphical waterfall:
UPDATES ON SOFTWARE:
I updated my Graphical programmer software:
1- A Loop checkbox and STOP button is added. If the 'Loop Checkbox' is ticked, the graphical hexadecimal data will be send to the micro-controller in a loop. So we will able to continuously run the graphical fountain and repeat the designs.
2- Pressing the Stop button will check how many bytes are in shift registers. Then the software will send numbers of  '0X00' to finalize the shiftout function. After shifting out the software will turnoff all the valves by sending 5-bytes '0X00' to the controller.

UPDATES ON HARDWARE:
1- Here are the 40 solenoid valves attached to the rig ...

 2- The completed Controller card.

Here is another video in sequence with the graphical waterfall LED simulator toward the actual controlling of single solenoid valve... You can hear the ON/OFF sound from the solenoid valve.
In the last few frames the solenoid stopped working and i just stumped what happen?..and after a little investigation found the +ve wire of solenoid detached..as i connected it temporirly with squash tape..

The positive thing of this test was:
1- My Connections of IRF540 good.
2- Solenoid response time is also good.
3- During the testing my circuit didn't get back emf from the solenoid as i have connected IN4007 across the solenoid. Thus my circuit is safe.
4- Testing one solenoid valve successfully gave me confidense that all the remaining 39 valves will work great.
5- I thought the LED of the tested solenoid valve will not be bright or will be off but it also work as usual.
6- The 74HC595 and micro-controller are as cold as in iceroom.

Here is the link of video:

Graphical Waterfall- Updates

Some advancements and updates on the software and hardware:

SOFTWARE Updates:
1- The software now can support all types of popular image format. Previously it only support WMF file Format.

2- Now you can add Colored images and then convert it in Pure Black and white.
3- Multuple image effects added, like Flip, Mirror and invert.
4- Delay Timer provided.
5- Scroll Bars were added to move big pictures inside picture container.

HARDWARE:
1- The PCB for controlling 40 solenoid valves was designed and etched.
2- The simulator was tested and a short video is in following youtube link:

3- Ordered more 30 solenoid valves. The pipe fittings are being machined on lathe. Hope i will be able to post some pictures in coming days.

and Here is the 6inch dia PVC pipe with 40 fittings for solenoid valves.

DIY computer Controlled Graphical waterfall

Hi my Friends,
World is full of genius persons and i amazed to see how computer made life easier and how the ideas evolves and takes it shapes in real world...Long story short, sometime ago i saw a graphical fountain on You-tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnPnwET4x9k
Watching this video amazed me and convinced me to make a cheap but high quality version of the same... Looking at the fountain, it seems that water droplets are controlled through 100's of solenoid valves and each of the solenoid valve is controlled through computer in a complex manner and a complex programming...
So to make a computer controlled graphical fountain, we require:

1- A complex software that generate images into binary data and send to micro-controller.
2- Electronic hardware that plays as a bridge between Computer and Solenoid valves.
3- Mechanical structure that hold overhead reservoir with solenoid valves and a drain.

All above tasks are doable..... So i started making program and electronics hardware at the same time... when i tired from electronics i started programming... so eventually both the software and hardware completed at the same time..
The following picture of software shows how a number of solenoid valves can be operated in a manner to make beautiful stunning water effects....The Software is user freindly and designed to operate in following steps:
1- You have to select an image 'WMF' black and white

2- Select the number of solenoid valves you have installed on the fountain. The greater the number of valves the greater the resolution and beauty of fountain.

3-Convert this image into '1' and '0' i.e. binary data... If you check the 'Add each design to one file' checkbox..you will have different designs in a single file

4-Open the computer USB port at which the micro-controller is installed.

5-Press 'SEND' button and see the stunning effects..

 More explained:
1- The software convert the photograph in binary data. The Black color is '1' and the white color is '0'.
2- Considering 16 solenoid valves, will give you 16 values of '1' and '0'. these 16 values has to be considered as two bytes data.
3- my software then convert each row into hexadecimal to shorten the data.
4- this data is sent through USB serial port to the micro-controller.
5- Their is small adjustable delay between the two rows of data. this delay separate the drops of rows.
By electronic Hardware i mean the "Simulator", that consist of Microcontroller and LED's.. currently installed 16 LED's to mimic the Solenoid valves..
Here is the short video of working simulator:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGZjb0nHGJQ
I also purchased 16 solenoid valves too to start making the structure of the fountain.... I am here posting pictures of my software and its working...

Fish Platter

A long time ago i cut the Fish bowl i am sharing here
For 12mm deep Pocket operation I used 1" Barley Twist Tool, for Profile cut i used 6.5mm endmill and V-carving was done by 12.5mm 90 degree V-bit...

The Platter Length is 610mm and width 250mm and the thickness 16mm.... TOTAL TIME 45Minutes with toolchange...

A Souvenir From ROME

The description of above scan can be seen by just clicking the Topic Link.

Laser Scanning of hand carved wooden Corbel

The description of above scan can be seen by just clicking the Topic Link.

The internal of the Laser Scanner control Box

This time i am showing you the inside of the laser scanner control box... The heart of the controller unit is Arduino which is programmable microcontroller... Programming of this controller is a fun project and learn a lot...

The wiring as you see in the picture was done with great care and now i have some electronics knowledge that is used to complete this project... This hardware was completely done by me along with the microcontroller programming...

I have many options available in the hardware... The controller box is supplied with Laptop power supply , Arduino controll the Laser, stepper motor and texture light.. I also added some buttons to reverse and forward the stepper motors.. A plug is provided for installation of limit switch...

In future i will add some more functionality in this setup as i have lot of place to add some more buttons, however the wiring will be really very tricky then....

Spray Bottle Scan with Improved Hardware

Attached you can see the scan of spray bottle  .. Total 9 scans , each scan cycle took 2minutes.. Approximate height of the spray bottle is 250mm and 80mm in diameter...

The alignment and stitching was a difficult part due to symmetry in the model.. However, i learn a lot in stitching the scans... The results are attached...

Improved Laser Scanner Setup

It took a lot of time and patience to make the hardware of my laser scanner setup in such a way that:

1- It can easily perform the scanning without calibration panel.
2- It can be easily disassembled and assembled in new location.
3-Compact in size for transportation
4- Aesthetically look beautiful
5- Electronics have all the control features
6- The complete setup is light weight.
7- Accurate and reliable 

After, considering all above and lot more i was able to DIY the hardware and made the first test scan.. Attached are the pictures of my improved Hardware..

Embroidery Gcode Generator V2.4.4

Recently, I have made drastic changes in embroidery software... These changes were necessary to make optimum Gcode for embroidery work...

Previously, I have made the Gcode that took 30minutes, now the same Gcode is effiecient and takes 16minutes on the embroidery machine... I have added functionalities to move both hoop as well as Needle when the the needle is above the cloth..this saves 40% of embroidery time... I have also added 'Machine Setting' dialogue for the users that will help them for setting Z-axis (sewing Wheel) values in Mach3 software..

You can see the attached figures by clicking on them..

First Embroidery Test

Hi all,I want to share the picture of embroidery artwork RENE has done on his ordinary sewing machine using my Embroidery Gcode Generator Software... He did a great job on it and as i am busy in my Fertilizer Plant Turnaround and doing some hectic work of maintenance, these results literally freshen my mind...

I suggested Rene to do following improvements to get positive results

1- Tighten the clothe very well on the Hoop.

2- The white thread on the bobbin emerging in picture shows that Bobbin thread needs more tention...

3- He should apply some embroider paper behind the cloth..This will give drastic improvement in embroidery..
I am adding RENE work here... I hope you all will like what we can do..Further details can be seen in following thread...
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...=57404&page=23

PS:Just note he is using Router and sewing machine to get this result... This is just the begining... and we have to see marvels in future.. We break into the core of high end commercial machines manufacturer... ;)

Embroidery Gcode Generator V2.4 Beta

In this Version I made following minor changes:
1- On the Top of Gcode, added Total No. of Gcode Lines
2- Made the drawing screen background Colour Black
3- On the bottom added the color information/usage in 'Same Colored Text'
4- Now You can Animate with Cross-hair showing the exact Position of stitch.
5- You can Scroll through the Gcode and Animation Cross hair will update its Position.

Attached is the Program Executable file along with some DST files.. Still need to put the Code in Menu and SaveGcode button is not functional for the time being.. I will try to make it complete and will place here...Just you can check and give me feedback for improving it.. You can unpack the zip and run the executable within the folder if it not run then The Program requires DOTNET framework or Visual Basic runtime files (Can be downloaded free from internet)

The embroidery beta release can be downloaded from following link:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57404&page=17

The Deer Plaque

This Deer Plaque was one of the best of my work..and it was in auction for US80$.. All the amount went into community charity... I really liked it:)

Wooden Mantle Relief

Yesterday i was looking the old work i created for one of the community event.... This piece of art took a lot of time in designing and machining... It was sold for about US14$ to a women .. She wanted it to be a Wall Keys holder..