MECHATRONICS ME156P SECTION E03 EXPERIMENT NO.

9
Experiment TITLE: Force Sensor
Salvado, John Henry M. Date Performed: Dec. 18, 2019
2013102950 Date Submitted: Jan. 8, 2020
Professor: Engr. Edward Ang Course and Year: MFGE/3
Group # 4

Discussion:
This experiment titled Force Sensor has us student familiarize ourselves with the
Force Sensor. The experiment aimed to teach the students how to program and use the
Force Sensor, specifically, we were tasked to Calibrate the force Sensor and use coins
to determine if the weight measure is correct. A force-sensing resistor is a material
whose resistance changes when a force, pressure or mechanical stress is applied. They
are also known as "force-sensitive resistor" and are sometimes referred to by the
initialism "FSR".

Learning Objectives:

This experiment’s objectives are;

• To familiarize ourselves with the Force Sensor
• To find out how the Force sensor works with its programming codes.
• To successfully calibrate the Force Sensor
• To observe the changes in the values of the Force sensor readings using
the serial monitor.
• To know the applications of the Sonar sensor in the industry.
Course Objectives and Anticipated Student Outcomes:
“a” to “k ” and “ L ”outcomes. The ABET outcomes taught and assessed in this course
are:

“A” Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

- The ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering was practiced in
this experiment as we could tinker with the Arduino and its code.
“B” Ability to design and conduct experiments as well as analyze and interpret data
- We were able to analyze the data we gathered using the serial monitor and
known values from the BSP site.
“C” Ability to design a system to meet desired needs.
- We were able to adjust the code to meet the desired needs of the experiment.
“D” Ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
- We were able to spread out the workload among the group members evenly
so that each member has a role in the experiment.
“E” Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
- We were able to identify certain errors in our code and our set up. We were
able to confirm that some of our wiring wasn’t connected properly and we
were able to fix the issues in both the hardware and software side of the
experiment.
“F” Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- We were able to work independently as a group and finished the experiment
responsibly
“G” Ability to communicate effectively
- We were able to communicate together as a group and finished the work
efficiently.
“H” Broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a
global/societal context
- The scope of this experiment was very limited and didn’t tackle any global
issues.
“I” Recognition of the needs for and ability to engage in lifelong learning
- Aside from working as a group this piqued my interest in the programming
side of the Arduino experiments.
“J” Knowledge of contemporary issues.
- In the current Philippine situation, we lack innovators on that could compete
on a global scale, this experiment could be an eye opener for many students
“K” Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools for engineering
practice
- We exercised our skills in working with the modern engineering tool the
Arduino.
“L” Knowledge and understanding of engineering and management principles as a
member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments
- As a member of the group we were able to acknowledge the different roles
we had to play in the experiment.
Group Assignments/Task done by EACH member:
GROUP NUMBER 4
EXPERIMENT #9
Experiment Title: Force Sensor Due Date: 1/8/2020
Group Member
Name: Brief % Completed
No. Group Member Description of by Members Your Score
Signature: the Work
assigned to
Members

Salvado, John Assembled the

1 Henry setup 100% 100

Roca , Reimbert
Randalla Programmed
2 100% 100
the arduino

Mendoza , Carlo E. Programmed

3 and 100% 100
troubleshooted

Fernando , Bon
Keno R. Brought the
4 100% 100
laptop

San Juan , Marco P.

Troubleshoot
5 100% 100
the experiment

*100% means the member completed his/her assigned work.

By signing this assignment cover sheet, I agree that the percentages stated in the %
completed column reflect the contribution made by me and the other members of the group.
List of materials Needed for the Experiment:

1. USB Data Cable (Yellow)

2. Arduino Uno
3. Bread Board
4. Red LED
5. 220 ohm resistor
6. 10k ohm resistor
7. Force sensor
8. Connecting wires
Schematic Diagram:

Legend:
1. USB Data Cable (Yellow)
2. Arduino Uno
3. Bread Board
4. Red LED
5. 220 ohm resistor
6. 10k ohm resistor
7. Force sensor
8. Connecting wires
List of ACTUAL SAFETY procedures implemented in this experiment:
Steps:
1. Identify all the different parts needed for the set up
2. Assemble the Force Sensor setup, referencing from the manual provided.
3. Make sure the wires are connected properly between the Arduino Uno and Force
Sensor
4. Connect the Arduino Uno to the Laptop using the Provided Data Cable.
5. Open the Arduino Program
6. Referencing from the Arduino Site, Copy the Provided Code.
7. Make necessary adjustment to the code if errors are found.
8. Upload the Code onto the Arduino Uno.
9. Set up the force sensor. Set the force sensor onto the table by holding the
Arduino board against the table as shown.

10. Place a 5 peso coin on to the force sensor.

11. Read the Data gathered on the serial monitor.
12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 till 3 coins are placed on the sensor
13. Referencing from the BSP site determine if the coins used are close to the
indicated weight on the site.
14. Disassemble the set up and keep the components in the box.
Arduino Code:
const int ledPin = 3; //set pin 3 as a ledPin
const int sensorPin = A0; //set analog pin A0 as a sensorPin

int value;

void setup() {

pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); //set pin 3 as output

Serial.begin(9600);

void loop(){

value = analogRead(sensorPin); //reads data from analog pin A0

Serial.println(value); //shows the value on the serial monitor

value = map(value, 0, 1023, 0, 255); //setting of map ranges from the sensor

analogWrite(ledPin, value); //lights the LED

delay(100); //set the delay time to 100ms

15 }
Data Sheet/ Gathered:
*in degrees
NO. of Coins Known Weight Reading
1 7.4g 7.1g
2 14.8g 14g
3 22.6g 23.7g

ANALYISIS:
The data we gathered in this experiment was acquired by using the Serial
Monitor and known values from the BSP site. We used 3 of the new 5 peso coins in
circulation. As indicated one coins known weight is 7.4g , our measured weight was
7.1g , for 2 coins it was 14g and for 3 coins it went higher to 23.7g. The Variances in our
data was most likely due to that we couldn’t properly place the coin onto the force
sensor. Causing the false readings.
The problem was the sensing area was so small balancing the coins onto the
small area was difficult, especially for the 3-coin value. Since we couldn’t place the
coins flat onto the sensor, we had to stand them up onto the sensor. The 3 rd coin we
had to balance on top of the 2 standing coins, which we couldn’t let go off so there was
an increase in the reading giving more than the known weight values.

Recommendation:
I recommend that the experiment be set up in a different way so that the force
sensor receives the weight of the objects properly. Would be great if there was
something placed on top of the sensor which is the exact diameter of the sensing area
with a known weight value. So that we may place the coins on top of that properly and
the force is distributed properly through the sensing area of the force sensor. This would
allow for more accurate measurements.
We should also ask for the 2 extra wires so that the force sensor isn’t directly
connected to the bread board. This would allow the students to optimally place the force
sensor flat onto the table without having to hold on to the bread board and Arduino set
up.
Conclusion:
In conclusion to this experiment we were able to achieve the objectives set for
us. We were able to familiarize ourselves with the Force Sensor and figure out how it
works. The force sensor was difficult to work with since the sensing are was so small
and we didn’t have the optimal set up. The coins were also difficult to balance on top of
the sensing area which cause some false readings, giving us a bigger margin of error
than expected.

Answer to Questions:
a. What is a Force Sensitive Resistor?
- FSRs are basically a resistor that changes its resistive value (in ohms Ω)
depending on how much it is pressed. The FSR is made of 2 layers separated by a
spacer. The more one presses, the more of those Active Element dots touch the
semiconductor and that makes the resistance go down.
b. Describe each of the wire in the Force Sensitive Resistor given in your experiment.
What does each of the wire represents?
c. Individually suggest electrical and mechanical standards or codes and local or
international applicable in this experiment. Cite source/s.