Mechanical Design / Automation / Mechatronics

Automated Toolbox

A mechanical automation concept focused on tool organization, controlled motion, enclosure design, and functional prototyping.

Project Overview

The Automated Toolbox is a mechatronics-focused design project centered on improving tool access, organization, and controlled mechanical movement. The project combines mechanical packaging, CAD design, automation logic, and prototype-level system integration into a compact functional concept.

The design process emphasized mechanical structure, enclosure layout, actuator placement, component accessibility, and practical assembly considerations. The project demonstrates how mechanical design and embedded control can be integrated to create a more efficient and interactive storage system.

Core Discipline

Mechanical design, mechatronics, automation, and prototype integration.

Tools Used

SolidWorks, Arduino/C++, mechanical prototyping, actuator control, and system testing.

Design Focus

Compact packaging, controlled motion, tool accessibility, and functional mechanical layout.

Finished Product Demo

Automated Toolbox in Operation

A short demonstration of the completed automated toolbox mechanism, showing the final motion, mechanical assembly, and functional system behavior.

Automated Toolbox Firmware Preview

// Paste your real Automated Toolbox code here.

#include <Arduino.h>

const int motorPinA = 5;
const int motorPinB = 6;
const int buttonPin = 2;
const int limitSwitchOpen = 8;
const int limitSwitchClosed = 9;

bool drawerOpen = false;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);

pinMode(motorPinA, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(motorPinB, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(limitSwitchOpen, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(limitSwitchClosed, INPUT_PULLUP);

stopMotor();
}

void loop() {
  if (digitalRead(buttonPin) == LOW) {
    delay(200);

if (!drawerOpen) {
      openToolbox();
    } else {
      closeToolbox();
    }
  }
}

void openToolbox() {
  Serial.println("Opening toolbox...");

digitalWrite(motorPinA, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(motorPinB, LOW);

while (digitalRead(limitSwitchOpen) == HIGH) {
    // Wait until open limit switch is triggered
  }

stopMotor();
  drawerOpen = true;
}

void closeToolbox() {
  Serial.println("Closing toolbox...");

digitalWrite(motorPinA, LOW);
  digitalWrite(motorPinB, HIGH);

while (digitalRead(limitSwitchClosed) == HIGH) {
    // Wait until closed limit switch is triggered
  }

stopMotor();
  drawerOpen = false;
}

void stopMotor() {
  digitalWrite(motorPinA, LOW);
  digitalWrite(motorPinB, LOW);
}