Heliotropic Field (aka the acrylic beast)

Following our first study of Heliotropes with task 2: track the sun, it was assigned for us to further explore these concepts and create an entire heliotropic field. Task 3 allowed us to build upon the use of parametric modeling and to further understand Digital Project (software designed off of CATIA and made known by Gehry Technologies). This time rather than using a handheld flashlight as our light source, we programed the final model/device to simulate the path of the sun.

Task (according the professors):

You are to make a heliotropic field that is responsive to the movement of the sun. Use this project to build on previous work and to refine your understanding of a heliotropic system. Is it possible that a shadow of one cell might affect its neighbor? Is it possible for cells to work together to share the available light?

The group for this team project was awesome, we were all on the same page with each other, which made it much easier for us to progress towards a final result. With our initial meeting, we were all eager to get going and figure out the prefect solution. Some of our ideas included indicating light intensity through LED brightness levels, position of the sun (time of day) indicated by LED color (sunrise, high noon, sunset), and perhaps even an alarm of sorts to indicate obstructions (i.e. shadows, loss of sunlight, etc...).

The project ended up being made of acrylic and nylon fishing line. A structural base to support two moving planes (one both move opposite of each, if looking at a traditional x-y coordinate plane, one moved back and forth along the x-axis, the other along the y). On these planes were grids of fishing line to support and hold up our idealized fiberoptic tubes. The concept here is to create an efficient way of transporting light into spaces; fiber optics were chosen for their flexibility and durability.

Pictures finally being uploaded. Big thanks to Z for taking loads of pictures for us.

Heliotropic Field from John Marshall on Vimeo.

Track the Sun

Our first attempt at understanding and exploring the world of Heliotropes. For this second project, out goal was to create a mechanism, or a thing, which tracks a light sources using LDR light depending sensors, arduino, and servo motors on dual axes. After a few arduino tutorials the prior week, we were to build upon the knowledge gathered and alter it to complete the assignment.

The Task (according to our profs):

"Your team's task is to design, build, program, and test a device that tracks a light source (a handheld flashlight). This system should operate on dual axes and be active. Ideally it should be capable of:

• tracking the light horizontally
• tracking the light vertically
• indicating when it is in alignment with the light

For our specific design, we used two servo motors to accomplish the dual axes; one rotates what could be considered the stem, around on the base in the horizontal direction, while the second is affixed near the head (or perhaps flower, if you want) in order to rotate in the vertical direction. In addition, I believe six LDR's were used; two of which to correspond with the horizontal rotation, two of which correspond to the vertical rotation, and the final two are the center points. These central LDR's were added to help indicate the direct alignment with the light source. When the light shines on these two centrally located LDR's a couple LED's light up inside of the base, which is concealing majority of the electronics and wiring to create a cleaner final product.

I want to thank Damien for taking some great photographs of our model/project which you can find on this page at the top and of course thank you to John Marshall for documenting the presentations for our own viewing pleasure

Flashlight Tracker from John Marshall on Vimeo.