PROJECT_17_applications_and_implications
Project Scope
For my final project, I have actually been working on some of the components already. I will make a desktop zen garden. It will be small, with sand, rocks, and LEDs which change their color depending on the placement of the rocks.
My project will have an input system (metal detection) and an output system (LED lights).
Research
To build the metal detector, I did some research on Arduino-based metal detectors. There are quite a few online that have tutorials associated with them:
- metal_detector_using_arduino
- build_your_own_metal_detector
- instructables_arduino_metal_detector
Materials
At this point, I am going to need:
- arduino Uno board or similar
- metal detector circuit board (designed by me)
- tri color LED lights
- battery source
- 1/8" luaun for the box
- white sand
- metallic rocks
- copper wire inductance coils X 4
Cost
Most of this stuff we have already in the Fab inventory, with the exception of metallic rocks, which I will probably end up making myself. An arduino Uno is about $20, and the sand is about $1.
Project Plan
- 6/1_prototype an inductance coil circuit
- 6/3_ake a board
- 6/4_create 4 LC loops based on a successful prototype
- 6/7_design and build the box itself
- 6/10_write the program for reading the LC and outputting to the LEDs
- 6/11_attach LEDs to the rim on the box and the coils beneath the sand surface
- 6/16_make metal rocks
- 6/18_test and troubleshoot system
- 6/20_test and troubleshoot system some more
Questions
What will it do?The garden will be lit with LEDs and change color according to where the rocks are placed.- Who has done what beforehand? There are many desktop rock gardens available on the internet, and some even light up. However, I can't find one that changes based on sensors.
- What materials and components will be required? I will need a box, LED strip, inductance coils or metal detector sensors, sand, metal rocks, a processing board, and a rake.
- Where will they come from? I will make all of the above components.
- How much will it cost?It will cost about $25 to make.
- What parts and systems will be made?all of them
- What processes will be used? I will design the box in 2D design software, and then etch and cut it on the laser. I will mould and cast the metallic rocks. I will build an input device to detect metal using electronic software and the Modela. I will build an output board and a processor as well.
- What tasks need to be completed?I already did the rocks, the input device, and the box. I already built the Satshakit processor, so I need to program it and I need to build the LED outputs.
- What questions need to be answered?How do I program this?
- What is the schedule?See the Project Plan above.
- How will it be evaluated?I am working off of the Fab Academy Assignments and Assessments document.