A TECHNICAL SEMINAR REPORT ON

WORKING OF SOLAR GRASS CUTTER

ON THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF

‘BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY’

IN

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (MECHATRONICS)

Contents
1) Introduction
2) Parts
3)
4) Levels of automation
5) Features
6) Benefits of automation
7) Applications
8) Present and Future
9)
10)Bibliography or References
INTRODUCTION:

Grass cutter machines have become very popular today. Most of the times, grass
cutter machines are used for soft grass furnishing. In a time where technology is
merging with environmental awareness, consumers are looking for ways to contribute
to the relief of their own carbon footprints. Pollution is man-made and can be seen in
our own daily lives, more specifically in our own homes. Herein, we propose a model
of the automatic grass cutting machine powered through solar energy, (nonrenewable
energy). Automatic grass cutting machine is a machine which is going to perform the
grass cutting operation on its own. This model reduces both environment and noise
pollution. Our new design for an old and outdated habit will help both customer and
the environment. This project of a solar powered automatic grass cutter will relieve
the consumer from mowing their own lawns and will reduce both environmental and
noise pollution. This design is meant to be an alternate green option to the popular and
environmentally hazardous fuel powered lawn mower. Ultimately, the consumer will
be doing more for the environment while doing less work in their daily lives..

The application of solar energy to power an electric motor which in turn rotates a
blade which does the cutting of grass. The source is driven from the solar energy by
using solar panel from the panel and store the voltage in battery. The automatic grass
cutting machine is designed using photovoltaic source and motor speed
control.Unskilled operations can operate easily and maintain the lawn very fine and
uniform surface look.

Hardware Specifications

o 8051 Family Microcontroller

o Solar Panel

o Motor Driver IC

o DC Motors

o Ultrasonic Sensor

o Batteries

o Robotic Body

Software Specifications

 Keil µVision IDE

 MC Programming Language: Embedded C

Block Diagram:

1) 8051 Microcontrollers:

The 8051 Microcontroller was designed in 1980’s by Intel. Its foundation was on
Harvard Architecture and was developed principally for bringing into play
in Embedded Systems. At first it was created by means of NMOS technology but as
NMOS technology needs more power to function therefore Intel re-intended
Microcontroller 8051 employing CMOS technology and a new edition came into
existence with a letter ‘C’ in the title name, for illustration: 80C51. These most
modern Microcontrollers need fewer amount of power to function in comparison to
their forerunners.
There are two buses in 8051 Microcontroller one for program and other for data. As a
result, it has two storage rooms for both program and data of 64K by 8 size. The
microcontroller comprise of 8 bit accumulator & 8 bit processing unit. It also consists
of 8 bit B register as majorly functioning blocks and 8051 microcontroller
programming is done with embedded C language using Keil software. It also has a
number of other 8 bit and 16 bit registers.
For internal functioning & processing Microcontroller 8051 comes with integrated
built-in RAM. This is prime memory and is employed for storing temporary data. It is
unpredictable memory i.e. its data can get be lost when the power supply to the
Microcontroller switched OFF.
There are many applications with 8051 microcontroller. So, 8051 Microcontroller
Projects have great significance in Engineering final year.
8051 Microcontroller Architecture:
Microcontroller 8051 block diagram is shown below. Let’s have a closer look
on features of 8051 microcontroller design:

Block Diagram of 8051

Microcontroller
CPU (Central Processor Unit):
As you may be familiar that Central Processor Unit or CPU is the mind of any
processing machine. It scrutinizes and manages all processes that are carried out in the
Microcontroller. User has no power over the functioning of CPU. It interprets program
printed in storage space (ROM) and carries out all of them and do the projected duty.
CPU manages different types of registers in 8051 microcontroller.
Interrupts:
As the heading put forward, Interrupt is a sub-routine call that reads the
Microcontroller’s key function or job and helps it to perform some other program
which is extra important at that point of time. The characteristic of 8051 Interrupt is
extremely constructive as it aids in emergency cases. Interrupts provides us a method
to postpone or delay the current process, carry out a sub-routine task and then all over
again restart standard program implementation.
The Micro-controller 8051 can be assembled in such a manner that it momentarily
stops or break the core program at the happening of interrupt. When sub-routine task
is finished then the implementation of core program initiates automatically as usual.
There are 5 interrupt supplies in 8051 Microcontroller, two out of five are peripheral
interrupts, two are timer interrupts and one is serial port interrupt.
Memory:
Micro-controller needs a program which is a set of commands. This program
enlightens Microcontroller to perform precise tasks. These programs need a storage
space on which they can be accumulated and interpret by Microcontroller to act upon
any specific process. The memory which is brought into play to accumulate the
program of Microcontroller is recognized as Program memory or code memory. In
common language it’s also known as Read Only Memory or ROM.
 Microcontroller also needs a memory to amass data or operands for the short term.
The storage space which is employed to momentarily data storage for functioning is
acknowledged as Data Memory and we employ Random Access Memory or RAM for
this principle reason. Microcontroller 8051 contains code memory or program
memory 4K so that is has 4KB Rom and it also comprise of data memory (RAM) of
128 bytes.
Bus:
Fundamentally Bus is a group of wires which functions as a communication canal or
mean for the transfer Data. These buses comprise of 8, 16 or more cables. As a result,
a bus can bear 8 bits, 16 bits all together. There are two types of buses:
1. Address Bus: Microcontroller 8051 consists of 16 bit address bus. It is brought into
play to address memory positions. It is also utilized to transmit the address from
Central Processing Unit to Memory.
2. Data Bus: Microcontroller 8051 comprise of 8 bits data bus. It is employed to cart
data.
Oscillator:
As we all make out that Microcontroller is a digital circuit piece of equipment, thus it
needs timer for its function. For this function, Microcontroller 8051 consists of an on-
chip oscillator which toils as a time source for CPU (Central Processing Unit). As the
productivity thumps of oscillator are steady as a result, it facilitates harmonized
employment of all pieces of 8051 Microcontroller. Input/output Port: As we are
acquainted with that Microcontroller is employed in embedded systems to manage the
functions of devices.
Thus to gather it to other machinery, gadgets or peripherals we need I/O (input/output)
interfacing ports in Micro-controller. For this function Micro-controller 8051 consists
of 4 input/output ports to unite it to other peripherals.Timers/Counters: Micro-
controller 8051 is incorporated with two 16 bit counters & timers. The counters are
separated into 8 bit registers. The timers are utilized for measuring the intervals, to
find out pulse width etc.
8051 Microcontroller Pin Diagram

8051 Microcontroller Pin Diagram

 For explaining the pin diagram and pin configuration of microcontroller 8051, we are
taking into deliberation a 40 pin Dual inline package (DIP). Now let’s study through
pin configuration in brief:-
Pins 1 – 8:- recognized as Port 1. Different from other ports, this port doesn’t provide
any other purpose. Port 1 is a domestically pulled up, quasi bi directional Input/output
port.
Pin 9:- As made clear previously RESET pin is utilized to set the micro-controller
8051 to its primary values, whereas the micro-controller is functioning or at the early
beginning of application. The RESET pin has to be set elevated for two machine
rotations.
Pins 10 – 17:- recognized as Port 3. This port also supplies a number of other
functions such as timer input, interrupts, serial communication indicators TxD & RxD,
control indicators for outside memory interfacing WR & RD, etc. This is a domestic
pull up port with quasi bi directional port within.
Pins 18 and 19:- These are employed for interfacing an outer crystal to give system
clock.
Pin 20:- Titled as Vss – it symbolizes ground (0 V) association.
Pins- 21-28:- recognized as Port 2 (P 2.0 – P 2.7) – other than serving as Input/output
port, senior order address bus indicators are multiplexed with this quasi bi directional
port.
Pin- 29:- Program Store Enable or PSEN is employed to interpret sign from outer
program memory.
Pin-30:- External Access or EA input is employed to permit or prohibit outer memory
interfacing. If there is no outer memory need, this pin is dragged high by linking it to
Vcc.
Pin-31:- Aka Address Latch Enable or ALE is brought into play to de-multiplex the
address data indication of port 0 (for outer memory interfacing). Two ALE throbs are
obtainable for every machine rotation.
Pins 32-39: recognized as Port 0 (P0.0 to P0.7) – other than serving as Input/output
port, low order data & address bus signals are multiplexed with this port (to provide
the use of outer memory interfacing). This pin is a bi directional Input/output port (the
single one in microcontroller 8051) and outer pull up resistors are necessary to utilize
this port as Input/output.
Pin-40: termed as Vcc is the chief power supply. By and large it is +5V DC.
Applications of 8051 Microcontroller:
The microcontroller 8051 applications include large amount of machines, principally
because it is simple to incorporate in a project or to assemble a machine around it. The
following are the key spots of spotlight:
Applications of 8051 microcontroller
1. Energy Management: Competent measuring device systems aid in calculating
energy consumption in domestic and industrialized applications. These meter
systems are prepared competent by integrating microcontrollers.
2. Touch screens: A high degree of microcontroller suppliers integrate touch sensing
abilities in their designs. Transportable devices such as media players, gaming
devices & cell phones are some illustrations of micro-controller integrated with
touch sensing screens.
3. Automobiles: The microcontroller 8051 discovers broad recognition in supplying
automobile solutions. They are extensively utilized in hybrid motor vehicles to
control engine variations. In addition, works such as cruise power and anti-brake
mechanism has created it more capable with the amalgamation of micro-controllers.
4. Medical Devices: Handy medicinal gadgets such as glucose & blood pressure
monitors bring into play micro-controllers, to put on view the measurements, as a
result, offering higher dependability in giving correct medical results.
5. Medical Devices: Handy medicinal gadgets such as glucose & blood pressure
monitors bring into play micro-controllers, to put on view the measurements, as a
result, offering higher dependability in giving correct medical results.

2) GRASS CUTTING BLADES:

Knife Blades

These types of blades have a sharpened knife edge to the front edge of the blade and
cut by slicing through vegetation. It is by far the most common type of metal blade
and often comes standard, with brush cutters that come with a metal blade. There is
an almost, infinite number of shapes of knife blades, but what they all have in
common is, they are generally lasered or stamped from thin sheets of steel. They range
in shape from rectangular to round with dozens of small knife like teeth. The most
common is the star shape that have three or four cutting edges, but many of the cheap
Chinese brush cutters available on eBay, often come with multiple range of blades
ranging from two (rectangular) to forty (like a circular saw blade)

Pros; Cheap, due to being made of one part and stamped out of sheet steel for speed
of production. Generally good at cutting soft materials, like grasses and watery weeds.
But this does depend a lot on design of blade. Depending on design and quality of
steel can generally take a lot of punishment.

Cons; Looses efficiency quickly as the tip of the knife edges dulls. This is because the
blade spins at such a speed, that only the very tip of the blade does any cutting. The
knife edge of the blade really only does any cutting, when the brush cutter head is
swinging fast from side to side. Being a fixed blade, there is no give, when you hit a
hidden rock or steel object and with a really hard impact the knife tip will either bend
or chip depending on the type of blade and quality of steel. This is why some of the
three of four edge blades have a sloping cutting edge. Not to improve cutting
efficiency, but to make the blade more resistant to breaking for liability reasons.
—

Cutting Ability

The number of knife edges, does have a big effect, on how

the blades behaves. Knife blades rely on the sharp leading
edge of the blade to cut, but since the blade is spinning at
around 100 to 120 revolutions per second, only the very
outer edge generally does any cutting.

Now if you can imagine your brush cutter head swinging from side to side, it is the
speed of the swing that will govern how much of the knife edge is exposed to the new
grass. Swing very slow and only the very tip of the blade does any cutting. Swing very
fast and more of the cutting edge cuts grass. Now consider a rectangular blade with
two cutting edges, that is spinning at 100 revs per second, that means that a cutting
edge passes the same spot 200 in one second. Lets say you swing the brush cutter 1m
sideways in 1 second. This means that only the outer 5mm of the blades actually cuts
new material. With a 4 edged blade, only 2.5mm of the outer edge cuts and an 8 edged
blade only 1.2mm of the outer edge cut any grass.

So as you can see, not much of that knife edge actually does any cutting. Now go to a
40 tip knife blade and each blade is only cutting fractions of a milimeter. So as with a
nylon line, it is only the very outer tip of the blade that actually does any cutting.

This small knife edge tends to blunten very quickly and so ends up smashing its way
through vegetation, meaning that a knife blade very quickly becomes a smasher blade.
It is only when this happens and the rough un-cut vegetation that bounces back up
under the blade, or when cutting in a vertical motion that the inner knife edge does
any cutting. A blunt knife blade, is one of the main reasons for users to develop the
habit of revving the brush cutter to full revs and throwing the blade into heavier
vegetation and this becomes a habit that is hard to break.

ULTRASONIC SENSORS

Ultrasonic sensors (also known as transceivers when they both send and receive) work
on a principle similar to radar or sonar which evaluate attributes of a target by
interpreting the echoes from radio or sound waves respectively. Ultrasonic sensors
generate high frequency sound waves and evaluate the echo which is received back by
the sensor. Sensors calculate the time interval between sending the signal and
receiving the echo to determine the distance to an object.

This technology can be used for measuring: wind speed and direction (anemometer),
fullness of a tank and speed through air or water. For measuring speed or direction a
device uses multiple detectors and calculates the speed from the relative distances to
particulates in the air or water. To measure the amount of liquid in a tank, the sensor
measures the distance to the surface of the fluid. Further applications include:
humidifiers, sonar, medical ultra sonography, burglar alarms and non-destructive
testing.

Systems typically use a transducer which generates sound waves in the ultrasonic
range, above 18,000 hertz, by turning electrical energy into sound, then upon
receiving the echo turn the sound waves into electrical energy which can be measured
and displayed.

The technology is limited by the shapes of surfaces and the density or consistency of
the material. For example foam on the surface of a fluid in a tank could distort a
reading.

Solar panel: A solar panel is a set of solar photovoltaic module electrically connected.
The source is driven from the solar energy using solar panel which receives energy
and convert it into electric energy. Solar panel generates energy upto 12V.

A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell (PV), is a device that converts light into electric
current using the photovoltaic effect. The first solar cell was constructed by Charles
Fritts in the 1880s. The German industrialist Ernst Werner von Siemens was among
those who recognized the importance of this discovery.
The array of a photovoltaic power system, or PV system, produces direct current (DC)
power which fluctuates with the sunlight's intensity. For practical use this usually
requires conversion to certain desired voltages or alternating current (AC), through the
use of inverters. Multiple solar cells are connected inside modules. Modules are wired
together to form arrays, then tied to an inverter, which produces power at the desired
voltage, and for AC, the desired frequency/phase.
Many residential PV systems are connected to the grid wherever available, especially
in developed countries with large markets. In these grid-connected PV systems, use of
energy storage is optional. In certain applications such as satellites, lighthouses, or in
developing countries, batteries or additional power generators are often added as back-
ups. Such stand-alone power systems permit operations at night and at other times of
limited sunlight.
 3. Battery: Solar cell module produces electricity only when the sun is shining. They
do not store energy. It is necessary to store some of the energy produced. So we use
battery to store electrical energy generated by the solar panel. It is also used for the
powering operation system. The battery is of 12V DC.

4.DC Motors: There are 4 Dc motors are used for movement of the wheel. These
motors are brushless DC motors. These Motors are Driven by the driver IC
ULN2003.The speed of the motor is 30rpm. The ULN2003 is used for the current
boosting. Motors requires more current for work properly

6. Frame: The mild steel rod was used in the construction of the frame due to its
workability, availability and cost effectiveness. The frame supports for the
electric motor, battery as well the handle frame. The length of the frame is 130
cms and is also made up of two handles. The first handle supports at the hand
and the second handle is for hands to move the arrangement. The frame
supports for the electric motor, battery as well as the handle frame. The
physical bumper is made up of an inner square created by PVC pipe. The
handle is allowed to handle the equipment and the blade is move to the grass.
 Keil provides a code limited (2K bytes) evaluation version for 8051 architecture (C51)
which is sufficient for learning purposes.
The main limitations of the evaluation version are the following.

 8051 compiler, assembler, linker, and debugger are limited to 2 Kbytes of object code
 Programs that generate more than 2 Kbytes of object code will not compile
 The debugger supports programs that are 2 Kbytes or smaller
 No hardware support for multiple DPTR registers is provided

Programming for 8051 using KIEL software

Creating a 8051/8052 Project using Keil uvision IDE

After you have installed the Keil uVision tools for 8051 ,Double click on the Keil icon
on your Windows Desktop to launch the IDE.
To create a new 8051 project using Keil IDE, Click on the ' Project ' item on the IDE
Menu bar and select ' New uVision Project... ' as shown in the below image.

Now create a Folder to store your project and give a name to your Project files
(*.uvproj), for eg Test (Test.uvproj).
After that you will be taken to the device selection dialog, where you can select the
8051 derivative for which you want to develop software.
Keil has support for a wide variety of 8051 derivatives on its IDE.The 8051
derivatives are organised according to their manufacturer's.
For eg : Lets assume that you are developing code for ATMEL AT89S52 ,you can
click on the ATMEL link on the bottom left pane and then browse for your choosen
microcontroller here AT89S52.Alternatively you can also use the Search box on top to
search for your particular part number.
Here i am using W78E052D from Nuvoton for my project.
On selecting the particular microcontroller the Keil IDE also displays the features of
the selected microcontroller on its left pane .You can Click OK to confirm your
choice.
You will get another dialog as shown below.

Click ' Yes '

Now your Project pane on the Kiel IDE would look something like this (below
image)
Now you can add C files to you Project.
Right Click on the Source Group 1 folder on your Project pane and select Add New
Item to Group 'Source Group1'...

Now you can select the type of file you want to add to your project using the top
pane.
Select C File(.c) and give it a name (here main.c) and Click Add.
Now you can type a small program into the main.c to blink the LED's connected to
Port 1 of 8051 .You can find the sourcecode below.

8051 Code (main.c)

#include <reg51.h>

void delay(void);

void main(void)
{
while(1)
{
P1 = 0xFF; // Turn ON all LED's
connected to Port1
delay();
P1 = 0x00; // Turn OFF all LED's
connected to Port1
delay();
}
}

void delay(void)
{
int i,j;
 for(i=0;i<0xff;i++)
for(j=0;j<0xff;j++);
}

Building a C Project using Keil uVision IDE

After you have typed out the above c program to your main.c file,You can compile the
C file by pressing F7 key or by going to ' Project -> Build Target ' on the IDE menu
bar.

If there are no errors the code will compile and you can view the output on the Build
Output pane.

Generating 8051 HEX File using Kiel IDE

In the above example we have only compiled our main.c file.Inorder to download the
code into the 8051 microcontroller we have to generate the corresponding hexcode .
In Keil uVision IDE you can generate hexfile for your 8051 derivative by,
Right Clicking on the ' Target 1 ' Folder and Selecting Options for Target
'Target1'....
Then on the Options for Target ' Target 1' Dialog ,
Select the Output tab and check the Create Hex File option and Press OK.

Now rebuild your project by pressing F7.

Kiel IDE would generate a hex file with same name (here Test.hex) as your project in
the Objects folder .

You can also open the Test.hex file with notepad to view the contents.
Downloading HEX code into 8051
After you have generated your hex code using Kiel IDE ,You can upload the code into
your 8051 derivative.
Uploading hex code is specific to the 8051 derivative you are using.For example some
microcontrollers like P89V51 and Nuvoton W78E05D have build in bootloader which
can upload hex code through their serial port.
Working of Solar Grass Cutter:
Working Principle of Solar Powered Grass Cutter: The working principle of solar
grass cutter is it has a panel arrangement at an in such a way that can receive solar
radiation with high intensity easily from the sun. The solar panel converts solar energy
into electrical energy. This electrical energy is stored in batteries by using a solar
charger. The main function of the solar charger is to increase the current from the
panel while batteries are charging. The motor is connected To batteries through
connecting wires. Between these mechanical circuit breaker switch is provided. It
starts and stops the working of the motor. From this motor, power transmits to the
mechanism and this makes the blade to rotate on the shaft this makes to cut the grass.
The designed solar powered lawn mower comprises of direct current (d.c motor), a
rechargeable battery, solar panel, a stainless steel blade and control switch. Rotation is
achieved by the electrical motor which provides the required torque needed to drive
the stainless steel blade which is coupled to the shaft and to the gears to the motor.
Gears are to increase the rpm and to reduce the power consumption. The solar
powered lawn mower is a operated by the switch on the board which closes the circuit
and allows the flow of current to the motor which in turn drive the blade used for
mowing. The battery recharges through the solar charging controller, performance
evaluation of the developed machine was carried out with different types of grasses.
Advantages:
1) Easy to use, because it is cordless.
2) With battery powered grass cutter, there is no
3) more messy oil & smelly gasoline. Now we are safety with no pollutants
emitted.
4) There are also no air filters & spark plugs to bother it. The cost of electricity
to recharge the battery
5) It is minimal compared to the high cost of gasoline, oil, air filters & spark
plugs. High conversion efficiency.
6) Has less moving parts
7) Less space required
8) Noise less operations so readily accepted in residential areas.
Disadvantages:
1) The eventually disposal of batteries is problematic.
2) The motors in cordless cutter lend to be less powerful than gasoline motors of the
same total weight.
Applications: It is very useful tool for
1) For cricket ground
2) For football ground
3) All garden
4) For agriculture purpose
 CONCLUSION:
It will be easier for the people who are going to take the project for the further
modifications. The project is more suitable for common man as it is having much
more advantages i.e, no fuel cost, no pollution, and no fuel residue. Less wear and tear
because of less Page 307 number of moving components and this can be operated by
using solar energy. This will give much more physical exercise to the people and can
be easily handled. This system is having facility of charging the batteries while the
solar powered grass cutter is in motion. So it is much more suitable for grass cutting
also. The same thing can be operated in night time also, as there is a facility to charge
these batteries in day light.The frame which we use doesn’t have height adjustment.
This can be overcome by keeping wheels arrangement near the blades.