Ball Ballancer - PID test rig

thingiverse

This is a ball balancing test rig for fine-tuning PID controllers. PID stands for Proportional-Integral-Derivative, a control loop feedback system that stabilizes and regulates processes. A white Ping Pong ball balances on an aluminum angle, which is tipped side to side by a pivot supporting it. The pivot is powered by a hobby servo motor that moves the angle precisely. Aluminum end caps are mounted with holes for an Adafruit VL53L0X breakout board (laser distance sensor) to track the ball's movement accurately. The pivot supports a 1-inch, 1/8-inch thick aluminum angle that is approximately 500mm in length. This length allows the laser distance sensor to maintain reliable measurements on a white Ping Pong ball target within its maximum range. Fusion 360 and Step design files are also included for modifying the test rig as needed. To learn more about this project, visit my Instructable at https://www.instructables.com/id/Ball-Balancer-and-PID-Fiddler/.