Week 17 : Applications and Implications

May 23-30 2018



Things to do :

  • Propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered
What will it do?

My final project is a game for kids with the purpose of sensitizing them to the production of clean energy.Two or three groups of children have to assemble a wind turbine (a vertical axis one) choosing from a wide collection of pieces,someone efficient, others not so.Internally instead of a generator there is a board that calculate the RPM and comunicate the rotating speed to the main board that will be situated internally of a lasercutted wooden house.In this house there will be 3 rgb leds,or a strip of rgb leds. At the end of the building process a cool fan will simulate the wind and the turbines will start spinning.Depending on the RPM of each turbine the the light will take on different patterns of colors varying from (for example) RED (not much energy produced) to yellow (the energy demand of the house is totally satisfied).

Who's done what beforehand?

Raising children's awareness about this topic is foundamental.There are some other games like this or like this.
The first one is a web game.The second one is more like my idea but I want to make the children cooperate,I want them to have the chance to make mistakes and fix them.

What materials and components will be required?

  • PLA filament for 3D printed parts ;
  • Electronics components ;
  • Bluetooth module x2 (Hc05) ;
  • Mechanical parts ;
  • Strip of Neopixel ;
  • Plywood for the house ;
  • Maybe Machinable wax ;
  • Liquid silicon for molds ;
  • 9V battery x2 (the ones we have in our lab);


  • Where will they come from?

    All the materials I need are in my lab.

    How much will it cost?

  • Plywood panel (6x40x120 mm) - 13.50€
  • 60 NeoPixel - 30€
  • Bluetooth Module x2 - 16€
  • 2 Hall Sensor - 7€
  • Other electronics components
  • 4 Ball bearing - 10€
  • I have to finish the bill but surely I will not exceed the 100€ budget.

    What parts and systems will be made?

  • Software: I will totally write the software I'll need
  • Hardware: I will print all the pieces whit the 3D printer and I'll laser cut the house that the kids have to supply whit their turbines
  • Network: I hope to make the comunication via bluethoot but I'll start whit the I2C


  • What processes will be used?

    I will use the following processes:
  • 3D design;
  • Laser Cutting
  • Molding and casting
  • Electronic design & production
  • Embedded programming
  • Networking and communication
  • Output devices
  • Input devices


  • What tasks need to be completed?

    the realization of the project begins today(30/05/2018),so every tasks need to be completed.
    I have to :
  • Design the parts and assembly them virtually. ( SolidWorks ).
  • Print them
  • Make some test and check if the shaft spins
  • Implement the boards that calculate the RPM
  • Implement the board that controll the strip of rgb leds
  • Design the house to be laser cutted
  • Final testing


  • What questions need to be answered?

  • What kind of joints should I use for the blades?
  • Should I add other output (such a display) or are the lights a easy comprehensible end game?
  • Will it be funny and challenging?
  • Will the Hall sensor work well for counting the RPM?


  • What is the schedule?

  • 30/05/2018 --- 07/06/2018 Design the turbines and the house
  • 07/06/2018 --- 07/06/2018 Tests for 3d printer and laser cutter
  • 08/06/2018 --- 11/06/2018 3d printing of the blades and lasercut the house
  • 12/06/2018 --- 13/06/2018 Test the 3d printed parts whit the electronic boards
  • 14/06/2018 --- 14/06/2018 Finishing,video and slide
  • 15/06/2018 Presentation of the project


  • How will it be evaluated?

    I will say the project correctly works if:
  • The joits won't yoke but they will still be firm and easy to put in and remove
  • The turbine will actually spin whit a not so strong wind
  • The pattern of light are easily comprehensible for kids
  • and,the most important,if it will be fun for kids