Degree Final Year Project

Initial Tryout I have tried out several LEDs light effects to mimic our heartbeat pulses. Here are some of the experimentations: Experimentation 1: The lighting above fades in and out based on brightness. Experimentation 2: Light effect that mimics the heartbeat pulses.  I try it together with different materials such as fabrics and crepe paper to see the effects of it. Experimentation 3: Experimentation with the paper combining light effect 1. I quite like this effect as it gives me a breathing, relaxing kind of feeling. [Approved] [Rejected] I also experiment with different hue values, but it turns out to be ugly. Thus, I decided to customize my own color palletes. And also, this is another light effect that uses millis to control the timing but it seems not aesthetically nice.  This is a failed experimentation on random colors of the light effect. Conclusion Crepe Paper works well with the led lights, this is due to the fabric being too thin to refract the light. Thus, the ...

Process Installation 1. Attaching all the M2, M3 screws, and T8 Lead Screw on the 3D printed parts Notes: T8 Lead Screw: 8mm diameter Pitch: 2mm (Lower pitch, lower speed, higher accuracy) Lead: 2mm (The nut moves 2mm in one turn) 2, Before installing it on the stepper motor, I test it on the lead screw motion. 3. The structure after attaching the 3D printed parts on the motor (including coupling -5mm & 8mm) Technical Part I'm using DRV8825 for the driver to control the stepper motor. The reason is that it can resist a higher voltage motor power supply (45V) so that the driver will not get burnt easily. Before hands on the coding part, it is a must to adjust the reference voltage of the potentiometer using multimeter.  Notes: Here is the formula:   I(A) = P(W) / V(V) DRV8825 : 2 pins (STEP & DIR) Maximum output capacity of 45 V and ± 2 A  Current limit: 0.85A , Rated Current 1.7A --- based on the model of the stepper motor Steps to Adjust Reference Voltage  1...

Research  I have done some research to understand more about how motor works and the difference between the stepper motor and servo motor. This is to allow me to have a better choice selection of preferred motor for the project. Below are some findings that need to be acknowledged:- Conclusion In conclusion, I have decided to use stepper motor for the flower blooming mechanism. This is because the flower-blooming mechanism requires low speed with high torque in order to support the flowers when it's blooming. Besides, I can experiment and modify the steps of the stepper motor and work on it to mimic the natural blooming of flowers. Based on the reference of the flower-blooming mechanism made in China, they also use a stepper motor rather than servo motors. 3D Modeling Reference Source:  mohkaseb (2014) umbrella mechanism. GrabCADCommunity.  Sep 19. Available at: LINK Initial Tryout At first, I try to build out the structure in 3D form based on my prototype which is made o...

Initial Research Flower Blooming Mechanism The core interaction of the first phase rely on the heartbeat sensor, leds and flower-blooming mechanism. Thus, I start to do some research on the flower-blooming mechanism. I have done research to study how to make the flowers open and close by using push and pull mechanism of the motor. Based on my understanding, the mechanism is similar like reversed umbrella mechanism. There are a few ways to do so. I have figured out different sources from the Western and China ones. Based on the resources from the Western country, most of them use metal rod and mimic the umbrella mechanism. Western Version China Version For the China Versions, they use stepper motor instead of servo motor to have a more advanced rotation. Besides, most of the machines are 3D printed. Thus, there are a few ways for me to explore on the flower-blooming mechanism. Initial Experiment Push and Pull Mechanism To understand better on the mechanism, I try it with a traditional w...

Proposal Development The critic session was held in Week 5. Based on the critism, the project scale is too large as I have 3 interactions to be done. Secondly, the interaction for the healing process (waterlilies pond) could be improved further as the core experience is not established enough. Thirdly, the core experience of the third interaction which is the blowing interaction does not convey the message that I want to express to the audience. Thus, I have made some amentments for the interactions of the project. Another thing that I have to plan out is the cost production. According to the supervisors, I have to pour out my time, sweat and money on this project as it is quite a large scale project. As the scale is too big, I have reduced to only two interaction. I divide the development journey into two phases so that the workload is not overwhelming. Core Experience - Moon Garden [Love] The interaction for Moon Garden [Love] section is still the same. However, instead of just using...