Solar Golf Ball Washer

This was the final project for my Graphics, CAD, and Design class where I learned to use Solidworks and Arduino. This automatic golf ball washer uses a solar panel that follows the sun to recharge.

Final Sketch

CAD Assembly

Functioning Prototype

For this project, I started by creating multiple rough sketches of my idea to help myself visualize what I want the final product to look like. I then modeled all the components in an assembly in Solidworks to confirm all the dimensions. Lastly, I 3D printed the outer shell of the prototype and was able to assemble a working prototype.

Arduino C++ Code

#include <VarSpeedServo.h>

VarSpeedServo xAxis;

VarSpeedServo zAxis;

int xAngle;

int zAngle;

int TRVal;

int TLVal;

int BLVal;

int BRVal;

int avgT;

int avgB;

int avgL;

int avgR;

int xDiff;

int zDiff;

//Define phototransistor pins

int const TR = A0;

int const TL = A1;

int const BL = A2;

int const BR = A3;

void setup() {

xAxis.attach(10);

zAxis.attach(11);

xAngle = 89; //Initialize motors at center

zAngle = 89;

Serial.begin(9600);

delay(1000);

}

void loop() {

TRVal = analogRead(TR);

TLVal = analogRead(TL);

BLVal = analogRead(BL);

BRVal = analogRead(BR);

avgT = (TLVal + TRVal)/2;

avgB = (BLVal + BRVal)/2;

avgL = (TLVal + BLVal)/2;

avgR = (TRVal + BRVal)/2;

xDiff = avgT - avgB; //Determine brightness difference between top and bottom

Serial.print("xDiff: ");

Serial.println(xDiff);

zDiff = avgL - avgR; //Determine brightness difference between left and right

Serial.print("zDiff: ");

Serial.println(zDiff);

Serial.print("X Angle: ");

Serial.println(xAngle);

Serial.print("Z Angle: ");

Serial.println(zAngle);

//Keep angle within bounds

if (xAngle < 0) {

xAngle = 0;

}

if (xAngle > 179) {

xAngle = 179;

}

if (zAngle < 0) {

zAngle = 0;

}

if (zAngle > 179) {

zAngle = 179;

}

//Handle angle increment when array orientation flips

if (xDiff > 5 && 90 <= xAngle <= 179) {

xAngle--;

xAxis.write(xAngle);

}

else if (xDiff < -5 && 90 <= xAngle <= 179) {

xAngle++;

xAxis.write(xAngle);

}

else if (xDiff > 5 && 0 <= xAngle <= 89) {

xAngle++;

xAxis.write(xAngle);

}

else if (xDiff < -5 && 0 <= xAngle <= 89) {

xAngle--;

xAxis.write(xAngle);

}

if (zDiff > 5 && 90 <= xAngle <= 179) {

zAngle--;

zAxis.write(zAngle);

}

else if (zDiff < -5 && 90 <= xAngle <= 179) {

zAngle++;

zAxis.write(zAngle);

}

else if (zDiff > 5 && 0 <= xAngle <= 89) {

zAngle++;

zAxis.write(zAngle);

}

else if (zDiff < -5 && 0 <= xAngle <= 89) {

zAngle--;

zAxis.write(zAngle);

}

Golf Ball Solar Tracker BOM-merged.pdf

The solar tracking technique used in this project was inspired by this video and I was able to adapt it for use on two axes. I received guidance from my professor and TA and I designed the overall system including the circuits, CAD models, and code.

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