Week Ninteen: Final Project Development
The final day has finally come. After months of struggling, I finally realize a digital heart is no longer my pursuit. A man who used to have passion finally becomes a living dead after his heart is broken again and again. For my final project, I want to design a zombie that can react to strong light and send alarm whenever there are objects approaching. Before describing my project, let me answer several important questions.
Q1: what is the deadline? How much time do I have left? The deadline is June 22nd, so I have one week to finish the project.
Q2: I've completed most structure design, but the controlling systems remain untouched.
Q3: I will focus on the designing of the motion system and the detecting system.
Q4: what has worked? The general structure of my zombie was a success. I have integrated some material design successfully with my project.
Q5: what hasn't? I think my integration with 3D design can be improved.
Q6: What questions still need to be solved? I might also need to solve the connecting issue between my structure and controlling system.
Q7: What have I learned? I have learned how to turn an idea into reality, a lesson really important for my life.
The whole BOM (bill for my project) charges roughly 480 Yuan and is as follows:
50 yuan(8 dollars) on board
220 yuan(35 dollars) on servo motors
100yuan(16 dollars) on laser cutting board
110(18 dollars) on other parts.
You may check week11, 13, 15, 16 for relevant connection between my homework and final project. I chose MIT license for my project and the links to my presentation is at the bottom of this page. My files are also in the end.
Regarding my actual project design, I first design the external structure through inkscape and I plan to base my zombie design on laser cutting.
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Step1: This is my sketch of all parts of my zombie boy
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Step 2: These are the laser cutting parts and motors
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Step 3: Another angle of my preparation
After preparing the physical parts, I made my self-made board and program the algorithm that runs my controlling system. There are basically two systems in my project. First is the light-sensor system, which can detect whether there is strong light coming from outside. If the answer is yes, the corresponding motor will move. I made three pairs of these respectively on zombie boy's chests and head. The self-made ultrasonic part basically comes from my homework for thirteenth and eleventh week.
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Step 4: The board design
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Step 5: The system based on self-made system
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Step 6: The program for the light-sensor system
Then I integrate the controlling system with the whole structure. Several structure was under some deep reconstruction. However, the design was generally successful and the process of redesigning was smooth. After this, I integrated my zombie boy with my CNC cut chair, because my zombie boy does not have legs. This is because I think it is safer to let a zombie remains in one place. However, it is inhumane if I don't give it a place to stay. Some other small design thinking is worth mentioning. The ultrasonic sensor is designed and set on a 3D printing design to reflect my 3D modeling skill. The tongue of the zombie boy is also designed through the molding and casting technique
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Step 7: The construction
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Step 8: The construction II
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Step 9: The design of tongue
The full explanation of the story can be found in the button below, together with the demo video. On the other hand, the relevant files are also attached as a zip.