E-textile modular system
My final project is an e-textile modular system. It consists of modules that can easily be assembled to create custom fit electronic clothing. The idea is that anyone can create their custom fit clothes and adapt them over time, by simply re-assembling the modules.
All modules have the same shape but function can vary. Inspired by Little Bits, modules can be power, wire, input or output elements, pre-programmed, that can be combined and interact with each other.
As a FabAcademy project, I have developed 1 simple module (only textile, no electronics involved), 1 power module for a 3V battery, 2 wire modules (1 where the electronic connections is in the back, another where it's in the front), 1 input module (analog microphone) and one output module (led).
I would like to keep developing the project beyond FabAcademy and use it as an exploration tool covering tools and techniques in a FabLab. I would like to keep it “low threshold, high ceilings”, appealing to both genders, all ages and backgrounds.
Weekly assignments I used in relation to the final project
Below, there's an overview of how weekly assignments link to the final project
| PART | PROCESS/TOOL | RELATED WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| mannequin | 2D parametric design (Fusion 360) | week 2, week 7 |
| mannequin | 3d scanning (iSense), 3d modelling (Fusion 360) and 3d sculpting (Meshmixer) | week 5, week 7 |
| mannequin | computer controlled machining (VCarve, Shopbot3) | week 7 |
| textile modular system | 2D parametric drawing (Rhino, Grasshopper) | week 2, week 3 |
| textile modular system | laser cutting | week 3 |
| conductivity between modules | vinyl cutting, heat press and electronics production & design | week 3, week 4, week 6 |
| design of power, input and output modules | electronics design | week 6, week 10, week 13 |
| testing/debugging and programming of power, input and output modules | electronics design & production and embedded programming | week 4, week 6, week 10, week 13 |
| integration of power, input and output modules as a system | embedded programming | week 8 |
Bill of materials (BOM)
| MATERIAL | SUPPLIER | PRICE | OBS. |
|---|---|---|---|
| copper foil | TechSoft | ~2 USD/A4 | not part of FabLab inventory |
| textile - denim | Stof2000 | 15 USD/m | not part of FabLab inventory |
| electronic components (resistors, capacitors, regulators, batteries, etc) | Digikey | ~20 USD | part of FabLab inventory |
| textile vinyl | MDPsupplies | 12USD/m | part of FabLab inventory |
| white foam (mannequin) | Stark | ? | part of the inventory |
| wood (mannequin) | Stark | ? | part of the inventory |
| copper plates for pcbs | FabFoundation | 1,5USD/piece | part of the inventory |
| magnets, specific size | Digikey | 0,15USD/piece | not part of the inventory |
| battery holder, 3V | Digikey | 0,5USD/piece | not part of the inventory |
| 3V batteries | Digikey | ~2USD/piece | part of the inventory |
Files
Modular System: GRASSHOPPER, RHINO, AI and PDF
Power Module: P_RHINO_COPPER, P_RHINO_TEXVINYL, P_PDF_COPPER and P_PDF_TEXVINYL
Wire Module, Front: WF_GRASSHOPPER_COPPER, WF_GRASSHOPPER_TEXVINYL, WF_RHINO_COPPER and WF_RHINO_TEXVINYL
Wire Module, Back: WB_GRASSHOPPER_COPPER, WB_GRASSHOPPER_TEXVINYL, WB_RHINO_COPPER, WB_RHINO_TEXVINYL, WB_PDF_COPPER and WB_PDF_TEXVINYL
Output Module: O_RHINO_COPPER, O_RHINO_TEXVINYL, O_PDF_COPPER and O_PDF_TEXVINYL
Input Module: I_RHINO_TEXVINYL, I_SVG_COPPER, I_PDF_COPPER, I_BOARD_SCHEMATICS, I_BOARD_LAYOUT, I_BOARD_TRACES, I_BOARD_OUTLINES, I_BOARD_SVG, I_C, I_MAKEFILE
For the manequinn files, please check the "Files" section in week 7.
