Sun tracker

The sensors are divided in 4 sections by a cross structure. Depending on where the light is coming from different sections will be in the shadow of the cross. By placing a light sensitive element in each section it’s possible to determine where the light is coming from.

I like this project even if it’s simple because it shows how it’s possible to build the same sensor with different techniques. I made 3 versions of the sensors:

V1: Electronics on prototyping strip board and laser cut wooden structure

V2: A circuit made by cutting copper foil with the vinyl cutter that is applied to a laser cut acrylic structure

V3: Milled circuit and structure

Do you want to know more about this build? Click on the V1/V2/V3 links above to see the detailed documentation.