Introduction :
The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Environmental Monitoring and Automatic Roof Control System is an automation-based project developed to maintain suitable environmental conditions for BSF larvae cultivation. The system integrates sensors, an Arduino microcontroller, and an automatic roof mechanism to regulate sunlight exposure and protect the larvae from excessive heat. By continuously monitoring environmental conditions and controlling the roof automatically, the project minimizes manual intervention, improves habitat stability, and demonstrates the practical application of embedded systems, automation, and smart agricultural technology.
13/07/2026 – 20/07/2026
During the recent development phase, the circuit-related issues were identified and successfully resolved, ensuring stable and reliable system operation. The current focus is on integrating and fine-tuning the limit switch mechanism so that the automatic roof control can operate accurately and safely without requiring any human intervention. System testing is currently in progress to evaluate the performance, reliability, and accuracy of the complete setup. Based on the test results, the necessary modifications and optimizations are being implemented to improve the overall functionality, robustness, and efficiency of the system before its final deployment.
21/07/2026 – 27/07/2026
During this period, a custom mounting bracket for the limit switches was designed to ensure accurate positioning and reliable operation of the automatic roof control system. The mounting bracket was fabricated using 3D printing. Both limit switches were securely mounted on the 3D-printed fixture, enabling precise detection of the fully open and fully closed roof positions. Following the successful mechanical integration, the system entered the final maintenance and inspection phase to verify the alignment, structural stability, and overall performance of the roof mechanism. Once the maintenance activities are completed, the complete system will be deployed for final testing and operational use.
1/08/2026 – 10/08/2026
After fixing the 3D-printed limit switch mount, initial testing of the automatic roof control system was carried out. The trial was successful, and the system responded as expected. However, during further testing, the limit switch mount broke, and some limitations in the existing system were identified. To address these issues, a new and improved limit switch mount has been designed with better strength and reliability. Along with the mechanical modification, necessary changes to the control code are also in progress to improve the system’s operation and reliability. Further testing will be conducted after implementing these modifications.
11/08/2026 -17/08/2026
During further testing, an additional issue was identified: if a limit switch fails to get pressed or is not detected by the system, the motor may continue running continuously. This could place excessive stress on the limit switch mount and other mechanical components, as well as reduce the operational life of the motor. To prevent such situations, testing is currently underway to determine and implement an appropriate fail-safe mechanism, such as a maximum motor run-time limit or other protective control methods. The selected mechanism will ensure that the motor stops safely even if the limit switch does not operate as expected.
