User Interface Design:
To move from our alpha prototype to the beta, we had to bring our AdobeXD prototype questions to a physical touchscreen. We also wanted this touchscreen to be able to interface with motors so that it could be placed on top of a trash and recycling bin and open a door guiding users to the correct sorting location. AdobeXD is coded in HTML, which we decided would not be the best option for us as it would not work well with a physical motor system. The User Interface team looked into different coding languages and touchscreens that could be utilized for this project, and found that coding in Python and using a Raspberry Pi touchscreen would be the best solution for us. To simplify the coding process, the PySimpleGUI library was selected, and the team used Repl.it to collaborate on coding.
We used Fusion360 to design and create the CAD components. The lids, attachments for each of the bins, the main plate for the motors to be on, and the shaft-spool system for the string to be wound up on were all machined with aluminum. The stands for the screen, pulley systems, and motors were all 3D printed and ultimately constructed using wooden dowels. We went through numerous iterations for each of the components in order to optimize the design, including adding slots to the lids to make them lighter and adding hubs for the shaft. Adding hubs make the spool component more adjustable and saves material. A lot of the design decisions were a result of consulting with the machine shop technicians to get their input from a manufacturing perspective in addition to Professor Prabhu for his insight on the 3D printed parts.