Propose a final project that integrates the range of units covered, answering:
What will it do ?
All over the years as a theater stage manager, I had to use many kinds of machinery. I experimented a lot of sorts of mechanisms, and however different they could be, a problem still the same : we never could link the machinery to the light controller.
Therefore, by joining the fabacademy, I decided to create the specific tool that I've had so hopelessly wish during my career.
As a result, my final project is an electronic and mechanical system that allows to move some stage prop with a motor. It also permits to program different kinds of steps to control the movements as well as we should, and finally it could be activated from the light controller by using a DMX signal.
Who's done what beforehand?
For now, as far I can say from my experiments, the only machinery system that we can find is always some kind of handmade solutions.
We always use halyards and pulleys to create movements on a theater stage. Grand theaters own very huge systems of machinery that require very powerful motors, wich can't be activated by a DMX signal. So as significant those machinery systems could be, they absolutely need a human being to be totally devoted at this task.
What materials and components will be required ?
Electronic parts :
One large stepper motor NEMA 23 and his appropriate 6Amp driver M542C
One custom 5V and 3.3V regulator board
One 24V 7Amp power supply
One hello arduino board from our assignments week Electronics design
One little board which handles display with ATtiny 45 from our assignments week Output devices
Connectors : one female shouko, two XLR 5 points
Small components : one power switch, four micro-switches, one ten bits DIL encoder, three leds (red, blue, yellow), one 5V regulator 7805
Mechanical parts :
10mm plywood to build the box
3mm MDF to make the display panel
coating, painting
One pulley made with PLA and 25mm plywood
Two theater hooks, one lifting hook, one security sling
Where will they come from ?
Stepper and driver from www.stepperonline.com, most of the electronic components from www.digikey.com.
DMX plugs, shouko, switches, regulator, sling, hooks from salvage yard
Fablab provided plywood, and many little things from my own workshop
How much will it cost?
Driver and stepper cost 80$, powersupply 40$, and everything else is salvage yard (as you could note if you'd see my car...)
What parts and systems will be made ? What processes will be used ?
Wooden box has been cut with shopbot, coated and painted with airgun ; pulley has been made in PLA with 3D printer ; electronic boards designed with Eagle and milled with the MDX40.
What tasks need to be completed?
At this time, Dmx interface still in progress, and will be a second developing step, it won't be effective before my deadline (june 20th).
For now, I keep on trying to realize a great programming.
What questions need to be answered?
I'm working on a safety process : carrying out an end position system so as to the smart machinery stops when the string is at his end.
What is the schedule?
I'm running out of time I'm gonna be late again, and driver wait for me please, I'm runnin' all in vain, tryin' to catch this fucking train...
