Three students: Tariq Al-Qadi, Anis Hammad, Shaker Awad, from the College of Information Technology and Computer Engineering majoring in computer system engineering at Palestine Polytechnic University were able to create an automatic machine to convert images into "Automatic String Art Machine. The project was supervised by Dr. Alaa Al-Halawani and Dr. Zain Salah, and it comes as a requirement for graduation at the university.
Modern Technology
The project, which consists of two parts, is a machine that converts any digital image into an image made of strings. The first part of the project is inserting the image into the computer and converting it into a specific format of numbers that show what connections are needed to enter it into the controller. In the second part, the controller reads these numbers and gives instructions for the motor to rotate according to the required number, and so on until all the numbers are finished and the drawing process is over.
The project consists of a programming code that converts the image into a specific format for the controller to accept (on a personal computer), an Arduino controller that was used to control the motors, a motor of servo-type and another of a stepper-type, a wooden box to carry the board and other pieces, a drawing board to draw on , and fans for cooling.
The importance of the project and its implementation stages
This project is important because it greatly saves time and effort in making pictures or paintings of this type ( drawing with strings), as this process requires a skilled painter and a great time to make a painting of this kind manually.
The students accomplished the project in three phases. In the first phase, a programming code was written in the Python language in order to be able to deal with the images in all their forms, and then some processing was done on them in order to deduce the appropriate form of the data that would go to the controller. The second phase selecting all pieces that are required for the project, collecting and linking them to each other, and then preparing the controller to receive data from the computer to be dealt with. After making sure that the data is in the correct form to the controller, the students experimented with moving the motors based on this data. In the third phase, the system as a whole was tested and networked with each other and set a board for testing on. After making sure that everything is fine and get the expected results, the project work has been completed.
How the project works
This project works by doing some image processing and then transferring these results to the controller to operate the motors and move them according to the results to draw on the board and make the image from the strings.
Challenges
The students faced some difficulties in choosing the necessary parts and some of the specifications suitable for the project, but with some advice from those with experience in electronic parts, the students overcame this problem. The students solved some software problems by consulting the project supervisors, in addition to the effective role of Palestine Polytechnic University in providing students with sufficient knowledge and information to complete the project. .
Golden opportunity
The project is considered a 100% golden opportunity to become a commercial product because it is the first of its kind in the country as it provides a product of high aesthetic value and enjoyable to the eyes. The students aspire to create their own entrepreneurial project work in the future, and create paintings of different shapes and sizes to suit all moods.
Department of Public Relations & Media
