"Where You Linger" - Lighting, Motor, and Sensor Testing
Day 1: 11/15 Cardboard Model + ToF SensorBuilding the model with cardboard and scrap acrylic around the shop. This process was surprisingly pleasant and reminiscent of making architectural and theatrical models - a nice trip down memory lane. Since things progressed so smoothly, I decided to take on a challenge and do the Time of Flight sensor lab as it will become the trigger to engage the entire experience. Just to get things started, I connected the desk lamp to the ToF sensor to troubleshoot and make sure that I can get it to work properly. The cutout for the sensor is just above the peephole, so the as the user approaches, the sensor is triggered which turns on the desk lamp. Next step for the ToF sensor is to program it to be the start and kill switch of the experience, but before that, I will need to figure out makes up the rest of the experience. To wrap up the night, I decided to explore the various physical lighting elements as it would impact the Pepper's Ghost effect. So I started with the window as the sun beams through the window is one of the main visible elements that signifies the passage of time. Day 2: 11/16 NeoPixels & Sun Beam Automation Mechanism
Once confirmed that the NeoPixel is sufficient, I started building the quick return mechanism which creates a nice arched shape. After testing the position of the mechanism, the ideal placement of the light happens to be outside of the box, so instead of reconstructing the box completely on a Friday evening, I decided to step away and come back the next day and try again. Day 3: 11/17 Reinforcing The Prototype, Stepper Motor, and Fish Eye LensAfter 2 frustrating days of taping the components together over and over again, I finally reinforced the model so that it would be easier to disassemble and reassemble as I continue to test various components. (Unfortunately, I do not have photos of this process, but thats okay, because the stepper motor is more interesting anyway lol) Once I got the stepper motor working, I decided to laser cut the bull gear component so that it would better fit the motor so it wouldn't get stuck, which it does a lot. The motor was initially programed to rotate ¾ of the way and the travel back, but during this process, I realized that if the motor gets stuck it messes up the calibration, so I programmed a second button that allows me to reposition the motor and set it back to the proper starting position. Finally assembled it all together and programmed the NeoPixel to turn on at the beginning of the rotation, then turn off before it returns back to the starting point.
Originally, the motor was programmed to make a ¾ rotation and then travel back to the starting point the same way like a window wiper, but then realized that the whole purpose of the "quick return" was to make a full rotation, so I reprogrammed motor and pretty satisfied with the results. With the fish eye lens, the view of the model is even more obscured. I'm still not sure how I feel about this, yet, but I hope this worked out in the end. Comments are closed.
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