If a Root Hides Before You Tear It, Was It Ever There

The concept of the project is a tree root that has broken its way out of a concrete slab. If you come close to the root and try to extract it it will roll under the concrete to protect and hide itself.

Materials=

1. MDF 9mm
2. Masonite 3mm
3. 2 Hinges
4. Screws
5. Arduino Uno
6. Motor Shield
7. Breadboard
8. Jumper Wires
9. 2 Resistors
10. Light Sensor
11. Root
12. 3 Servos
13. (3D Printer)

Tools Used=

1. Miter Saw
2. Jig Saw
3. Drill
4. Glue Gun
5. Screwdriver
6. Wood Glue
7. 3D Printer
8. Pin Gun (optional)

Optional= Paint, sand and baking soda

The size of the box can vary but the on we made was 40x40x10cm. Cut the sides of the box out of MDF and the top in masonite. Cut the masonite plate in two, keeping the shape of the root in mind.

3D print the handles to attach to the servos, two to open the box and one to attach to the root.

Drill a 12,5mm hole halfway into the root and a 4mm hole by the end of the root so that meets the other one, creating space for the dowel and servo arm. The dowel acts as a reinforcement and attachment for the servo arm.

Wire according to the images.

Upload the following code to the Arduino.

Use two 2cm cutoffs of the MDF to support the part of the masonite that doesn't move. Attach a servo underneath the masonite and stick it where it makes sense for the placement and movement of the root. Attach the root arm to the servo. Attach the other half of the masonite to the box with hinges, screws and bolts. Then attach two servos next to the hinges and attach the servo arms to the servos. Keep in mind the placement of the servo arms so when they start the arms are at the bottom.

We painted the box with a few layers of paint mixed with baking soda and fine sand so the box then looked like a concrete slab without the masonite getting to heavy for the servos.