Project Proposal

Chameleon - The Color Scanner and Dispenser

Ever wondered what if we could get any color that we see in our surroundings?
Well say no more, Chameleon - The Color Scanner and Dispenser, a device in making which will scan the color of your choice and will deliver it within seconds. The device will consist of a scanner-gun connected with a color dispenser machine. The scanner will have a RGB color sensor that will transmit the data to the color dispenser machine which will use CMYK color model for developing the desired color.

Motivation

The motivation behind our team (Sonal, Mohit, Anshuman and Gracy) taking this challenge was this video in which the artist tries to create illusion of the original articles using paint. Apart from this illusion art, when you think about it, mixing colours to get the desired shade has always been a time consuming struggle for the artists and an even bigger nightmare for begginers! After coming across this video we did a small research in this direction and found that color developer machines are present in the market but are only limited to commercial activities. So, we decided to make an automated device which can be used to make the life of artists easier and also have a wider scale of applications.

Applications

Color development is a very important requirement for a number of jobs. This device has wide range of applications like-

• Artists - who require accurate color for making portraits and paintings.
• Fashion designers - who are inspired by the colors of nature to reproduce them on their creations.
• Car workshops - where exact color is required for paint job after a car is repaired. Not only for workhops but also one can perform small paint repairs on their own.
• Wall paint - for repairing some portion of a damaged wall with the exact paint-colour as the rest of the wall. Also, with the expanding market of interior designing the requirement of matching the correct shades of desired colours for furniture, fabrics, flooring, and many other components has become important to professionals.
• Cosmetics - for developing your own lipstic, foundation, or blush shades

These are some applications of this device and these can be increased through device-modifications as per the requirements for specific purposes.

Mechanism

The principle of working

There are two fundamental models of colour theory -

1. RGB Model - It is an "additive" model which uses Red, Green & Blue - the primary colours of light on a black background to recreate an expansive cluster of colour tones. RGB model of colour mixing is suitable for sensing, processing and displaying of images in electronic system. But it fails to create the same array of colours when it comes to physical color mixing.
   
   
   



2. CMYK Model - It is a "subtractive" model which uses Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black) colours on a white/light background to give the amalgamated colour shades. CMYK model of colour mixing is suitable for printing (output) of an image. It also achieves the hues closer to the expected colour shades when mixed physically.
   
   
   

So for the Chameleon, the input of the colour needs to be in RGB model, while the output should be through the CMYK model. As the CMYK model works by keeping the white colour as a default backgroung while printing, physically dispensing colour would require an additional white colour to the CMYK model.

How it works?

1. The user picks the desired colour by scanning the colour present in the environment
2. The image(colour) collectected by the scanner is passed to the colour sensor
3. The colour sensor then feeds the data in the arduino in the form of RGB values and the screen displays the hexcode
4. The RGB values are then converted to CMYKW values in the form of percentage composition through a conversion algorithm
5. The percentage of colours are programmed to be dispensed in the quantities with the unit being milliliter (ml)
6. The colours required to form the composite colour are directed to the dispenser by stepper pump motors, and are the dispensed in the palette for the user.

What should it look like ?

We made a list of the features that we would like to have in the Chameleon which is as follows -

• The main body of the machine should be lightweight and portable (dimensions not more than 1'x1'x1')
• Scanner should be handy with a trigger button (similar to a glue-gun) and should have a buzzer
• The body should have aniche for the scanner
• A display screen to show the data from the arduino
• Transparent colour bottles and tubes with holders for them
• A pump/piston mechanism to draw the colours
• No mixing of colours before dispensing
• Easily replacable and washable (bottles and tubes)
• Battery operated
• Simple to use

Keeping these features in mind we evolved our designs.

Design prototype #1

We then thought of about improving the aesthetics by concealing the tubes and the bottles.

Design prototype #2

We decided to move ahead with this design and work on making it better!

CAD model

We then started working on the 3D of the protype on Solidworks to get a sense of its dimensions and individual components.

Challenges

We expect these challenges to be associated with the development of this prototype:

• Scanner coordinating with color sensor and picking exact color.
• Colors dispensed in precise quantity for required shade.
• Making device portable.
• Cost should be affordable.
• Should be easy to operate and maintain.

Components Required

Electronic

• ARDUINO x1
• Scanner x1
• Color Sensor x1
• Stepper Motor Driver x5
• DC Jack Connector x2
• Switch x2
• Stepper Motor x5
• RGB LED Strip x1
• Buzzer x1

Hardwares

• 100ml bottle x5
• Silicone Tube x5
• Wires
• Tube Holder
• Assembly requirements- Body, Nuts, Bolts.

Reference: MESOMIX - Automated Paint Mixing Machine - CLICK HERE FOR LINK

Skills Required

Following skills are required:

• Laser Cutting
• CAD modelling
• 3-D printing
• Electronics
• Adobe Photoshop
• Coding and Programming

Project Timeline

The tentative timeline starts from the day of presenting Project Proposal (31st January 2022)

• Week 1 - Researching the particular components that will be required for the project - Arduino, sensors, scanner, display screen, motor,etc.Then making a list and placement of order for the same.


• Week 2 - Dividing the team of 4 in 2 groups and working on
  • The algorithm for converting RGB model to CYMK model
  • The algorithm/coding for dispensing the paint
  
  
• Week 3 - Understanding and defining the working of the arduino through simulation softwares


• Week 4 - Assembling the arduino and connecting it with scanner and sensors


• Week 5 - Working on the Cad model for designing parts of the outer body


• Week 6 - Testing the electronic model and listing the shortcomings


• Week 7 - Work on the shortcoming found in testing and make the soft-prototype for the outer casing


• Week 8 - Modify prototype as required, manufacture the parts of the prototype and assemble them


• Week 9 - Ready the Final prototype


• Week 10- Work on the final presentation for the project