Ping Pong Ball Control Feedback Project

Students interested in programming, control theory, and robotics

Students should have a basic knowledge of programming. We use Micropython on the Raspberry Pi Pico but you can use anything your students are programming in.

Students will be able to create a feedback loop using Micropython to levitate a ping pong ball at a given height.

The following is needed per station:

1. Printed parts
2. Circuit boards, Gerber files attached (Can get them for $4 each on DKRed or far cheaper from JLCPCB if able to order from foreign companies)
3. Raspberry Pi Pico
4. Power jack
5. 2x headers
6. JST-XH 3 pin male
7. JST-XH 4 pin male
8. JST-XH 3 pin female
9. 9200 RPM 5015 fan
10. 4.7k 0805 resistor
11. Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F distance sensor
12. Distance sensor cable
13. 24v power supply
14. Generic ping pong ball

Before the project assemble the components as shown in the STEP file/Gerber file

One day to experiment with simply controlling the fan and floating the ball. Should also get an output from the distance sensor.

One day to explain programming control theory.

Three days to design a program that levitates the ball at a distance typed in as a variable.

When not actively teaching, the teacher should be moving around the classroom assisting students as needed in programming. For students that are really stuck, ChatGPT does a good job at developing the code needed for this project.