1. Digital fabrication, principles and practices

This week I worked on defining my final project idea and started to getting used to the documentation process.

Why Fab Academy?

This is a Microsoft PowerPoint slide show exported to mp4 movie Initially, this file would not render. I could not figure out why. I recalled that git sometimes will not process copied and pasted text. Apparently, Markdown is the same way. I copied the Markdown image link below and replaced the previous video link. Now, the video renders.

*I further compressed the mp4 file in the iTerm2 app on a Mac using the command ffmpeg -i FAW00-DigitalFabrication.mp4 -filter:v scale=800:500 -c:a copy digiFab-800.mp4 source: https://www.ostechnix.com/20-ffmpeg-commands-beginners/

*Installed ffmpeg in iTerm2 app on Mac using Homebrew with the following command: brew install ffmpeg $(brew options ffmpeg | grep -vE ‘\s’ | grep – ‘–with-‘ | tr ‘\n’ ‘ ‘) source: https://gist.github.com/Piasy/b5dfd5c048eb69d1b91719988c0325d8#gistcomment-2571754

Assignments

Have you? Done
Group assignment:
None N/A
Individual assignment:
Plan and sketch a potential final project Yes
Upload it to the class archive. Yes

Learning outcomes

Have you? Done
Communicate an initial project proposal Yes

Checklist questions

Have you? Done
Sketched your final project idea(s)? Yes
Described briefly what it will do and who will use it? Yes
Added a page with a sketch and description of your final project idea(s)? Yes

Individual assignments

  1. Plan and sketch a potential final-project.

    1. Right now, I have three ideas for a final project. They are an autonomous golf cart & caddie, an autonomous two or four-wheel farm hand, or wind wands for harvesting energy.

    The first two ideas are fairly transparent. In the first case, i could modify a Ninebot Segway to add motor control and sensors so that it could follow a player. With GPS, it could suggest clubs to use. I could fabricate a cart attachment to transport the clubs while retaining the ability to ride the Segway.

    In the second case, I could automate a two-wheel tractor that I own. The idea is that it could till, thatch, aerate, seed, etc. independently. Similar to the caddie, my package would include motor control and sensors. The deck and power-take-off are pretty standard. I would spend little time modifying them. So, while personally enticing, this idea may not meet the project criteria.

    In the third case, I would have to fabricate the wands, the harvesting circuitry, and the system package. If I use piezoelectric harvesting, I will use manufactured piezoelectric coaxial cable or film. I got the idea for Wind Wands some years ago after watching grass move in the wind.

  2. Nfr Wind Wands

    *This video illustrates the inspiration for the Nfr Wind Wand idea

    Current energy-harvesting tech can not meet consumption demands. For example, urban centers consume the most energy but wind turbines are ill-suited for urban environments.Ideally, harvesting can coexist with dense, human populations and the structures that house them.

  3. Constraints

    1. sheet form factor with limited thickness
    2. made from formable material
    3. made from transparent material
  4. Challenges

    1. Will wands sway or vibrate?
    2. Will wands be cylindrical or spherical?
    3. Will wands use induction or piezo electricity to harvest energy?
    4. Will wands be omni- or uni- directional?
  5. Concept drawing

  6. Circuit inspiration

    *This is an example of an energy harvesting circuit. source: