Principles and practices, project management

Plan and sketch a potential semester project

One of the most pleasant things to view is how Fab lab managers introduce new people into the big possibilities that a fab lab brings. But doing this tours each time can be time consuming and repetitive even they do it with a smile in their faces.

So why don’t use the infinite possibilities of a Fab lab for improve this recurring situation and immerse new people in an interactive tour of the fab lab. Allowing people to choose their own route to the Fab Lab.

The proposal is create a device that with contactless technologies read the information within smart objects, created with the machines and fab lab techniques, triggering the display of audio, video and lights in each of the fab lab machines. briefing the users with valuable information.

Main Goal

  • Design, create and build using fab lab techniques, a device that read the information within smart objets with contactless technologies. The device will transmit orders using wireless technologies.
  • Design, create and build using fab lab techniques, devices that being nodes of the central device, that receive orders by wireless technologies and control lights o other systems. Protocols like DMX or Midi are strongly looked for.
  • Wireless technologies can be Bluetooth, RF, Wireless, Xbee… Depending the feedback of instructors and community.
  • Make the system modular to allow being improve with other additional modules.
Project Proposal

Concrete Goals

  • The device will be enclosed in a totem style box, where each module will be stackable.
  • Hexagonal shape will be the most ideal shape in this stages of design
  • Each module will be build trying different joints for its parts and some of the faces will be engraved with laser cut.
  • Maybe be decorated with some objects printed in 3d or cut by laser.
  • Design and adapt an electronic board based in Arduino and with NFC capabilities that will be the main core of the system. Also will include wireless transmission.
  • Design and adapt an electronic board based in Arduino that receive data by wireless and change lights.
  • Code a program that react to the choices of users and play audio and video related.
  • Design and create smart objects with 3d printer, and laser cut techniques.

Optional Goals

  • Study magnetic levitation for make a module that power on the system.
  • Make the device module or any other additional module rotate to show which state is selected.
  • Study forms to create holographic structures with methacrylate.
  • Study forms to create projecting surfaces using modular shapes.
  • Add interactivity to smart objects (lights, movement).