HyperRail
Project Leads: Ariel Stroh, Eli Winkelman, Isaac Salchenberg, Liam Duncan, and Zack Pelster
The 3D HyperRail moves in three directions moving over a one-meter rail in the x-axis continuously, and two-meter on the y-axis with the sensor package attached on the z-axis in a water-resistant container. NEMA 23 and Nema 17 motors drive the sensor package along the rail in a 3d plane with the use of a single belt system. The carriage can be programmed to visit a suite of locations to gather information from the on-board sensor package. While the sensor package is in motion it saves the data onto an SD card while also uploading to google drive. Sensors implemented include: CO2 (K30 10,000ppm), temperature (Adafruit SHT31), relative humidity (Adafruit SHT31), luminosity (Adafruit TSL2591), and air quality (Nova SD011), with plans to integrate multi and hyperspectral sensors, 3D imaging, RFID, and other technologies in the future. We present data collected in a 3D space of (2.43m x 0.50m x 0.20m)
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Create a linear motion system that can have any length
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Rail system should be able to mount on tripods or building structure or stand alone frame
The HyperRail idea came from the need to analyze a crop using hyperspectral imaging. The system needs to be able to go very slow and at a consistent speed. But also cover all areas of the greenhouse. The most logical way to do this was using a stepper motor and a rail system. I searched for linear railing and concluded that aluminum extrusion would be a good solution for this system.
This structure was built with the user in mind, with its own frame but also, with the option to be portable on tripods or be attached to a structure. The 2D HyperRail was designed to be a modular system in many aspects. The first being length; this system has the ability to be adjusted to the users desired length up to about 100 feet and width of about 10 feet, and a depth of 6 feet. The next modular element is the carriage system. This system is built onto a piece of polycarbonate that is cut to size with holes drilled to specific requirements for the motor. Another very important aspect if the mounting system. It has the ability to be a stand-alone frame, or can be mounted to either tripods or a structure. The current demo setup has the system on a stand alone frame as pictured below.
The changing of a stand alone frame to a tripod based frame is a simple change in parts. In the stand alone frame it uses a L joint to connect the legs, while the tripods will use a simple 3D printed insert for the aluminum extrusion so that the rail clips on to the tripods making this a very quick setup. Another plus about the setup is that the tripods offer a variety of heights.
This system is very versatile in its implementation and utility. It can be used for a variety of sensors such as CO2, temperature, soil moisture, humidity, or any sensor system that you can imagine. It can also be used to just move an object very slowly and at a precise speed. The possibilities of the use for this system are endless. A big plus is that you can choose the user interface you want to use. If you want to get going, you can just use the application, and if you want to add more functionality you can use the Arduino interface and add/delete code you want, compile it, and run it.
In 2020 the HyperRail team will be working to add a third dimension so that the sensor package(eGreenhouse) will have the ability to move in position as well.
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Hardware Article: (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067219300483?via%3Dihub)
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Initial Belt Idea Reference: (https://www.revolvecamera.com/collections/all/products/ram-motorized-slider-add-on-kit)
- In progress
eGreenhouse, HyperRail, Hyperspectral