Study Desk V1

Hey, My name is Abderrahman, and this is a school project I completed with my group members: Yahye and Ismail.

This was a school project where me and my group made a miniature, compact, study desk that is ideally a library-friendly study desk that manages study sessions with time limits/implemented break periods, using visual LED indicators to communicate status.

1. Tools:
2. Prusa Mini 3D Printer
3. Drill
4. Bandsaw
5. Sander
6. Measuring tape or ruler
7. Hot glue gun
8. Others:
9. Arduino UNO (Link HERE)
10. Breadboard (Link HERE)
11. Avoidance Sensor (Link HERE)
12. Breadboard and Arduino holder (3D printed, download link HERE)
13. 3 LED lights (Link HERE)
14. 3 220 Ω Resistors (Link HERE)
15. Wires (Female, Male, Female-Male)
16. Piece of wood
17. Balsa wood (Link HERE)
18. Paint

1. Prepare the Table Surface

Cut the wood to desired size:

Take a big block of wood.

Using the bandsaw, cut the wood down to 14.5 x 12.25 inches.

Round the corners of the wood using the bandsaw for a fine finish.

2. Build the Table Legs

Cut the balsa wood for the legs:

You will need 4 legs in total.

Each leg is made by stacking 4 pieces of balsa wood and securing them with tape to create a thicker, sturdier leg.

Cut the legs to 9 inches using a saw.

Attach the legs:

Drill holes in the corners of the table frame, ensuring they match the diameter of the leg pieces.

Slot the legs into the drilled holes. Ensure that they fit securely and are aligned properly.

3. Create a Housing for Electronics

Measure and cut the wood for housing, as shown below:

Cut a square piece of wood to house the breadboard and Arduino. The square should be of a dimension that accommodates the electronics with some comfort.

Use the hot glue gun to secure this housing piece underneath the table. Make sure the housing faces toward the edge of the table-the majority of the housing is outside for easy manipulation of the electronics.

*Before wiring we put the breadboard and arduino into the holder*

Installing the Sensor:

Mount the avoidance sensor under the table and position it in a way that it would work when somebody sits on top. Let the sensor also be as near as possible to the edge for better efficacy.

1. Wiring of the Electronics

LED Wiring:

Wiring the LEDs on the breadboard then to the Arduino. You shall be using a total of three LEDs; green, blue, and red.

Connect each LED to the breadboard, making sure each has a resistor connected to the ground wire.

Connect the positive wires of each LED to the D9, D10, and D11 pins on the Arduino.

Wiring the sensor:

Plug the avoidance sensor into the D2 pin on the Arduino.

Connect the 5V and ground wires from the sensor to the Arduino's power and ground pins, respectively.

Connect the breadboard to the Arduino:

Use a ground wire between breadboard and GND on the Arduino.

Ensure that there are no loose wired; all wires should be in secure connection to avoid an electrical issue.

Write the code to control the lights and timer:

The green LED will always be on, indicating that the desk is available for use.

When the avoidance sensor detects someone sitting down, the blue LED will turn on, indicating the desk is in use.

After 5 seconds (for testing purposes), the red LED will turn on, signaling that the study session is over.

Timer logic: Set up the timer to count 30 minutes for the study session.

Assemble the table: Once all the components are wired and the code is uploaded to the Arduino, ensure that all parts are securely attached.

Test the sensor to ensure it triggers the lights and timer as expected.

Place the electronics in the housing under the table, ensuring everything is connected and functioning properly.

We painted the top of the table grey, and the sides all white, so we could clean it up and make the table look presentable.