Final Project: First Ideas
Final Project: Development Plan
Two deadlines:
* 20.06.2016 for project presentation to Neil & class
* 08.07.2016 finalising project and uncompleted assignments
I decided on my final project around the 30th of May, which left me a sporty three weeks to plan, design, test, experiment, code, assemble and realise my final project.
I had to catch up on 7 assignments: 3D printing & scanning (week 5); electronics design (week 6); embedded programming (week 8); input (week 11) and output devices (week 13); molding and casting (week 12); networking & communications (week 15). Still open at the time I started on my Final Project were the assignments of: interface & application programming (week 16); writing out my projects applications & implications (week 17) and it´s intellectual property regulations (week 18). Additionally, I wanted to redo my webpage and had to fine-tune and add some tasks to assignments I thought were already completed: a parametric design (week 3), vinyl cutting (week 3) and not to mention the documentation.
Two strategies:
Really long working hours and combining forces: I tried to be as efficent as possible and used my still open assignments to work on my Final Project. For example, I used the electronic assignments (week 6, 8, 11, 12) to build a baby prototype of my final project pcb. Ideally, I would have generated the final code during the input/output assignments, however, I had to change the microprocessor as well as the LEDS, which required of course a new final code. Further, I really had to work the assignments like this as I had no clue about electronics whatsoever and needed the learning curve to be able to realise my final project task.
Having said all this: Ferdi and Santi, our thick-nerved, patient and highly demanded tutors (17 students!!!) were extremly kind and helpful and didn´t mind explaining me processes the class had already learned, while I was absent due to my other research investigations. THANK YOU!! Big thanks also go to my fellow fab students: even when nerves were stretched thin and anxieties rose high, stupid jokes were cracked for everybody´s mental health benefit, chocolate was distributed and advise, support, and discussion were freely shared. This supportive environment also expands to the broader, quick moving Fab Lab BCN community, where an extra pair of hands, advise and problem solving discussions were always given.
I finished the tasks in time and fullfilled my minimum goals for the final project.
The Final Project is a nice prototype and I am happy with it. In order to actually use it in the professional artistic context of BeAnotherLab though, I have to do the following: redesign shield to match pin outs on board (to get rid of the jumper cables); make two boards (as there are two users in The Machine To Be Another: the whole point is to see if eg not only user movements synchronise during the Machine experience, but also biosignal data); increasing sensibility of the sensor and further smoothen values (for now the device is still a bit stupid, it detects changing skin resistency, but the data is not valid for comparison between users); prettify: I really don´t like the classic RGB colours and would like a different and smoother colour transition; interface: the assignment provided me with a first glimpse of interface programming, however, useful would be the automatic gerneration of a data sheet to collect the data as well as a prettier visualisation to be applied during the artistic installation.
An early additional week on Design Software would have been very helpful as this skill development is a key nominator for what can be realised. I would have loved a specific task for graphic design - layout rules, colour theory, aesthetics. This would expand FabAcademy from designing, engineering, programming into the realm of Art - reflections on synchronicity between form and content as well as a free not product driven making process might generate more daring as well as critical final projects. But maybe that´s just me ; ) Further, an introductory week to "materials" and their characteristics as well as their common applications and processes would have been very inspiring.
I need to discuss the final design and function of the "Final Sense" bracelet with BeAnotherLab to determine short-comings and decide on improvements.
Design Software:
Rhino; Gimp; Inkskape; Photoshop; Antimony; Blender; Openskat; Brackets; Eagle
CAD to CAM software:
CutStudio; Skanect; Cura, Dr. Picza,...
Machines:
Epilog Legend Laser Cutter; Multicam 2000 Laser Cutter; Milling Machine Roland SRM-2D; Shopbot, Formbyte 3D printer; Modela MDX20 scanner; Vinyl Cutter; Vaccum press
Processes:
CAD to CAM, Laser Cutting; Parametric Design; Pressfit Construction; 3D Printing, 3D Scanning; CNC Milling, CNC Joinery, Toolpath Design; 3D Toolpath on CNC Milling; Silicone Casting; Composites
Code & Electronics:
PCB Fabrication; Circuit Design and Board Routing; Soldering; Components; CNC Milling; In-circuit programmig; Microprocessor programming; how to read signals from a sensor; how to use arduino, processing, how to communicate between arduino and processing over the serial port, but also between software more broadly; beginner´s entry into visualisation of analog sensor input on computer screen; webdesign, html & css; about repositories, libaries, terminal communication