17. Applications and implications

Assignment:
Propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered.
Propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered. Your project should incorporate: 2D and 3D design
additive and subtractive fabrication processes electronics design and production microcontroller interfacing and programming system integration and packaging Where possible, you should make rather than buy the parts of your project. Projects can be separate or joint, but need to show individual mastery of the skills, and be independently operable. See Final Project Requirements for a complete list of requirements you must fulfil. The answers to the questions below will allow you to create your BOM (Bill Of Materials).

What will it do?

The main functionality is that it will change it's state once it's dark. The neopixel pattern is changed and some LEDs will be lit in night mode. It is also an own system; no need to hook it onto a computer.
But there are endless possibilities with that powerful board in the heart of the tree. The tree works like an Arduino. That means that we can but more outputs and inputs on it (e.g. a music player module, a motor, different sensors..). It is also possible to connect multiple worlds and combine them to one.

Who has done what beforehand?

Dioramas are an age old form of art, but the ones with electrical parts not so much. A lot of people did dioramas before, the most common ones were train models and replicas of real life objects. Within the Fabacademy, Adrian Torres made a Train Station in his Final Project! I loved it!

What will you design?

I started designing already within the weeks! I designed the case, the pcbs, the ground structure, the trees and the neopixel pattern. In the end it should be a nice looking little forest. It is decorative (at least to me) and I'll always keep it in a special place wherever I'll live.

what materials and components will be used?

The case

• White filament
• Strong glue, if you can't print it in one piece
• Optional: Primer and laquer

Ground and greenery

• Styrofoam, cardboard
• Glue
• Fake grass
• Gravel
• Fake leafs
• Optional: Static grass applicator

Objects

• Filament for trees and rocks
• Thin wire
• Fake grass and leafs
• Acrylics
• Mud acrylics
• Optional: A little bit of Silicone and saran wrap to make the mushrooms
• Optional: Fake tiny flowers and other knick knacks

Electronics

• AtMega328p
• AtTiny45
• Neopixel matrix
• SMD and a few THT parts
• A PCB blank
• Small cable
• 5V power supply
• Optional: As much as you like

Where will they come from?

Everything exept the electronics, I got from German Amazon since the stores were closed due to corona. The electronics I got from Conrad and Reichelt, two German Stores for electronics. And a few things I got from our Lab, but I could have also bought it in those three stores.

How much will they cost?

White filament (I used about 1kg)	~20€ (for one roll)
Strong glue, I used epoxy	~8€
Styrofoam	~0.60€
Glue (I used mod podge in matte and an electrostatic friendly glue)	~10€
Gravel (came in a set)	~0.10€ (or go outside and get it for free)
Fake grass	~10€
Fake leafs (I used two different colors)	~5€ (for one)
Optional static grass applicator	~80€
Thin wire	~0.80€
Acrylics- set	~5-100€ (depends which one you get. I got mine pre corona in a really cheap store so I only paid 5€)
Mud acrylics	~10€
Optional knick knacks	I just got a set for 20€
PCB blanks	~15€
Power supply	~5€
Neopixel Matrix	~30€
All of the other electronics parts	~20€
SUM	258,50€ - but keep in mind that I didn't use everything up!

What parts and systems will be made?

• A main controller board with an ATmega328p
• An input board with a photoresistor
• The case
• The front glass, the floor insert, the back cover for the neopixels
• The trees and some other decor pieces
• The landscape

What processes will be used?

• 3D design and printing
• 3d scanning
• 2d design, laser cutting and hot wire cutting
• PCB design and milling
• Soldering

What questions need to be answered?

• How will I get enough power to light up the matrix?
• How much power is needed?
• How do I intregrate everything? Will my vision become reality?

How will it be evaluated?

Since it's corona, all of my spiral development plans went straight to the trash. We weren't allowed to me more than four persons in the lab so I sometimes had to move to a different lab to finish some assignments. There was no real schedule since I had problems with some assingments that I needed to have for my final and couldn't solve them quickly because there were no spontaneos visits in the lab or the stores. However my dream plans would look like this:

• First spiral: Develop the case, the trees and the overall structure
• Second spiral: Design the board to be fitting to the environment of the forest
• Third spiral: Make a serial connection between 2 boards and try to power them
• Fourth spiral: System integration and placing everything together