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20. Project Development

Tasks that have been completed

  • Incorporating 2D (Controller Laser Cut Face) and 3D design (Controller Body)
  • Additive and Subtractive fabrication processes (Controller Body and Buttons)
  • Electronics Design and Production (The various boards (Input, Output and Hub modules)
  • Embedded micro-controller Interfacing and Programming (ATtiny412)
  • System Integration (Communication with Unity and a Shooting Game Interface) and packaging (Compact Handheld Controller)

Therefore, the project satisfies the minimum requirements for FabAcademy.

Things that worked and Things that did not

The most challenging part of the project was Interfacing the Electronics produced with the PC, through Unity, where there was a need to specify a Custom Device. That is all documented under Interface & Application Programming. Eventually, it all worked out, but there are multiple layers to it.

On the other hand, in the early stages, there was a lot of experimentation with the VIVE Tracker, and attempts to replicate the VIVE Tracker. However, the tasks turned out to be much more complex than what is needed to satisfy Fab Academy requirements and was dropped out.

Questions that need to be resolved

  • Go beyond the basic functionality by including more Inputs/Outputs/Sensors.
  • Incorporate Tracking (Spatial and Positional)
  • Immersive VR integration with a commercial headset.
  • Iterate through the shape of the body of the controller more times and experiment with different materials.

What happened when

Week 0, Project Ideation

  • Brainstorming and Ideas-screening for the project.
  • An immersive VR controller concept and Idea were realized.

Week 2, Preliminary (2D & 3D Design)

  • 2D and 3D design knowledge was acquired,
  • as well as familiarity with software like Inkscape and Blender helped in realizing 2D drawings and 3D models.

Week 3, Machinery (Laser Cutting)

  • Learning how to realize 2D laser cut components.

Week 5, Machinery (3D printing)

  • Learning how to realize 3D printed parts.
  • It was highly crucial since the body/casing and housing of the controller was 3D printed.

Week 6, Preliminary Design (PCB)

  • Learning how to design an electronic board was acquired,
  • as well familiarity with software like Autodesk Eagle.

Week 8, Embedded Programming

  • Interpret the datasheet of different chips, especially and understanding the functions and capabilities.
  • The datasheet of ATtiny 412 was thoroughly examined.

Week 9, Input Devices

  • Experimenting with Analog and Digital Inputs (Pressure Sensors, Buttons and Switches),
  • and finding connecters that suits the design.

Week 10, Applications & Implications

  • Reflections and Contemplations about the Project.
  • It was about what to keep and what to drop.
  • as well as finding how to make the idea feasible while meeting the requirements for FabAcademy.

Week 11, Output Devices

  • Experimenting with a meaningful feedback/actuation that would suit the controller’s purpose.
  • A Vibration Module was realized.

Week 14, Network & Communication

  • Experimenting with communication between the fabricated boards, among themselves, and with the PC.

June 01- 14, Project Prototyping (2D and 3D Parts)

  • 2D and 3D parts were finalized.

June 15 - 20, Project Prototyping (Electronic Boards)

  • Electronic Boards parts were finalized.

June 20-25, Project Prototyping (System Integration)

  • System Integration (Communication with Unity and a Shooting Game Interface)
  • and packaging (Compact Handheld Controller).

June 25-30, Project Prototyping (Debugging and Evaluation)

July 15, Project Finalization and Presentation

Skills and Experiences Gained

Technical Skills

  • 2D Design; Software: Inkscape
  • 3D Design; Software: Blender, Fusion 360
  • Laser Cutting; Devices: Epilog Laser Fusion laser cutter
  • 3D Printing, Devices:Stratasys Fortus 380mc, Sindoh; Software:GrabCAD Print + Control Center
  • PCB design; Software: EAGLE, MIT mods
  • PCB Milling; Devices:SRM-20; Software:Vpanel for SRM-20
  • PCB Soldering;
  • Embedded Programming; Devices: oscilloscope, multimeters; Chips:ATtiny 412; Software: Arduino IDE,
  • Communication; FTDI
  • Input Device; Analog and Digital Inputs.
  • Output Device; Devices: Vibration Motor.
  • Debugging; Devices: oscilloscope, multimeters
  • Interface Programming: Unity

Other Skills

  • Project Management, Time Management and documentation writing.
  • Research Skills; ability to see what has been done and how to utilize it.
  • Hands-on fast prototyping skills within fab lab environment.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, I have acquired intensive knowledge in the fields of (1)Subtractive Fabrication, (2)Additive Fabrication, (3)Embedded Programming, (4) Communication, (5)Input Device, and (6) Output devices, while I have also learned more about IP protection and project management.