For this project, me and Juliana Henno are doing an animated 3D Zoetrope. It animates a series of 12 3dprinted models by rotating them in a spinning platform driven by a motor (output), whose velocity is regulated by a potentiometer (input). The animated illusion that comes from the spinning is enhanced by the stroboscopic effect of the blinking light ( Juliana output) and by the fact that the platform is covered by a container.
The 3D Zoetrope can be traced back since 1887 when it was first built by a chronophotographer called Étienne-Jules Marey. There are a variety of 3D Zoetropes today being the most relevant in my opinion the Blooms, created by John Edmark. His zoetrope also uses strobe LED to give the idea of a continuous movement.
The list of materials used for this 3D Zoetrope is divided in mechanical components, electronic components and machines used:
1mx1mx6mm MDF panel
PLA filament (1.75mm)
50cmx20cmx2mmAcrylic
Juliana Henno Microcontroler board
Alex Garcia Microcontroler board
Juliana Henno set of boards of LED array
Alex Garcia board of motor
Power Supply 12V
Machines Used:
Laser cutter
3D printer
The majority of the mechanical parts will be obtainable by laser cutting the MDF and acrylic to build the container and moving platform. Those materials can be found in local and specialized retailers. The PLA filament that is the material used in the 3D printer is now available in a diversity of local retailers and can also be shipped worldwide from different traders.
The electronics of the boards are almost all SMD, that unfortunately can’t be found in local or larger shops specialized in electronics in Brazil. All the electronic components that were used were imported from U.S. and the shipping took a long time to reach to our town. On the other hand the 12V power supply was very easy to find since it’s a computer part that is sold also separately in local retailers. For the drivers I changed to DIP electronics ( as TIP 122) to do the assignment. The machines that we used to cut and print all belongs to FabLabs and are very accessible in the open days.
The 3D Zoetrope can be replicate at a total and average cost of XX. It’s important to note that it may take a long time to gather all the material since most of the electronics have to be imported from U.S.
The 3D Zoetrope have a motor that in order to be moved at a specific velocity will be associated to a microcontroller that I’ll design and program. This microcontroller will communicate with the engine board that has a potentiometer to control the velocity that the table will turn. The container of the Zoetrope will also be built with my help while making adjusts in the container in order to fit comfortably all the electronic parts.
The electronics process for all the boards designed and programmed to move the platform and blink the lights, the 3D printing of the models that will be animated, the laser cutting of the container and the mechanism of the platform.
For me the only task yet to be done is to build the container and test the mechanism of the platform. Probably by assembling the real parts it will be more clear if any adjustments will be needed.
-How fast should the platform be spinning in order to give an illusion of animation to the 3D models on the platform?
-How to more efficiently fix the models on the table allowing them to be changed for other models and also not moving or falling while spinning?
-How to adapt this project to make it accessible to low income communities as a project that will teach about the basic of animation?
The schedule is to laser-cut and assemble the parts of the container. Test the interlock connection between the motor and the platform. Do any adaptations necessary to the container after placing the electronic components. Test the fitting of the 3D printed parts into the platform in order to avoid them to fall while the table will spin and to allow that new 3D models can be replaced whenever it will be necessary. Document the process through a video.
In my point of view the final project should be evaluated as a sum of different processes put into practice, including: electronics and programming, mechanism development, 3D modeling and printing). The 3D Zoetrope operating fine encompasses all those processes, which means that it’s a result of what I learnt so far during the course. When I was taking the FabAcademy 2013 I could not envision myself reaching to this point where I’m now. This shows how important it is to have a good infrastructure while learning and discovering new concepts of electronics associated with digital fabrication.