Finally getting around to designing up a stepper motor controller for this chemical mixing robot that I picked up this summer. So, here is a super simple controller to drive one axis! Right now it’s using Arduino on an Atmega168, but I think i’ll switch to something lighter, give each module it’s own micro (with limit switch and encoder support), and talk to them from a master controller using some serial bus. Or just talk to them all using a parallel port on a PC . Sample code for this guy after the break. Read more…
You might remember that some years ago, I found a discarded organ and brought it home. Well, it sat around for a year, then I converted it to MIDI, then I moved across the country and only brought the keyboards, and finally I re-built it as the proper single-row unit featured in the above video.
The keys are laid out as a generic matrix-style keyboard, with a column for every note in an octave (12 in total), and a row for each octave bank (up to ten, although only 8 are in use). Using a Barebones Arduino clone and a couple of I/O expander chips (PCF854AN) for extra digital pins, I was able to convert the old keyboard into a MIDI device. This version works fine, however the circuit is a bit extravagant- If I ever re-build it, I will use a 3-to-8 line decoder for the select lines, which should free up enough digital pins on the Arduino to be able to get rid of the I/O expander chips. Really, though, I would prefer to convert it into a velocity sensitive keyboard, so any further effort will be in that direction. Rough schematic and source code after the break.
Here’s an image of Mario, drawn using the machine code for Super Mario Brothers. Created using C++, the EasyBMP library and the GIMP. Source code after the break. Read more…
Now, I know you all are just itching to pay me* to teach you stuff, so here is your chance! I’m co-teaching an introductory Soft Circuits workshop with Elizabeth Perry next month on Saturday, November 14th, so be sure to be there! Tickets are available now for the low low price of $40 ($30 for HackPGH members), which even includes materials! Take advantage of this sweet offer before I become famous and charge you $1000 just for a signature!
We will be making a light-up cuff bracelet using industrial felt, batteries and LEDs, with a button for a switch. No previous experience with sewing, electronics, computing, or soldering is needed. It’s guaranteed** to be a fun time!
*Actually, all proceeds go to making Hack Pittsburgh an awesome place to be, but if you want you can also buy me a book or something.
**Guaranteed by design!
[photo above is by me, of a workshop held by Becky Stern]
Here’s a quick look at my Ferrous Wheel piece, which is on display at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Theoretically I will put up my build notes and code for in the future. If you want to get a jump start at that, check this comment thread.
Written as an artist’s statement for my upcoming exhibition:
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been interested in understanding how things work. It was on a family vacation to Disney World, however, that I learned how useful this knowledge can be, and why it is so important for me to understand it.
It all started when we went on a ride called 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Down, down we went into the depths. We saw ruined cities, lost treasure and fabulous monsters. My head was spinning, thinking of the fabulous technology that they were using to take us so deep below the sea. These must be very strong submarines, and they could drill a tunnel diagonally to reach the sea. But it was a trick! After we finished the ride, my father took me to the side of the ride and showed me that really, we only went a few feet underwater. See? And he pointed out exactly how they made it look like we dived much deeper- over there, they are releasing bubbles to make it seem like we are going under.
At first, I was mad because I had been tricked, but then I came to realize that it didn’t matter. Even though the ride was fake, it was this illusion that made it fun to ride on, and the fact that I was now in on the prank opened up a whole new way of looking at the world to me. Rather than just passively watching the show go on, I could figure out how they convinced us we were going underseas, what the ruins and treasure was really made of, and how the sea monsters were animated. And I learned that actually it takes a lot of planning and hard work to bring such a convincing illusion to life.
Now, whenever I am making something, I understand that there are two parts to what I am doing. First and foremost is the story that I am telling, what I imagine the thing I am creating to be. Remembering my lesson from Disney, I understand that how I made it can be equally interesting, so I take pains to allow the curious to discover what tricks I used. My greatest hope is that they will be inspired to make up their own tricks and bring the things they imagine to life.
. Sample code for this guy after the break.
