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19. Project Development

Complete your final project, tracking your progress:
      what tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain?
      what's working? what's not?
      what questions need to be resolved?
      what will happen when?
      what have you learned?

What tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain?

I set out to make:

  • the casing
  • the parts that need to be 3D-printed to attache the motors and rubber roll
  • the test stamps
  • the electronics
  • some bioplastic to make stamps

What’s been made:

  • the casing

  • the 3D-printed parts

  • the electronics

What remains to be done:

  • the test stamps
  • soldering and programming the electronics

What’s working? What’s not?

What’s working:

  • the casing, although small adjustments are needed in order to make it into a more sturdy trespa version

  • the 3D-printed parts to hold the rubber roll and motors

  • the controller buttons came out really nice!

What’s not working:

  • the electronics remain to be finished and implemented
  • the screen printing station will be finished in the next cycle

What questions need to be resolved?

  • How many steps does the stepper motor have to take?
  • How will the rubber roll stay put?
  • Will I be ably to programme the ATMEGA328?

What will happen when?

My goal is to have everything done on June the 7th so I can write the documentation on Tuesday. My presentation is on the 9th.

The plan is:

  • soldering and programming during the weekend
  • remake and cut the controller panel on Monday
  • make the test stamps on Monday

What have you learned?

Days in the lab are always too short 🙂 Everything takes time: waiting for 3D-prints to finish, changing and re-milling the electronics takes, driving back and forth.

I’m on sick leave from work in order to rest and regain strength. This is a very difficult task for me as I tend to be a perfectionist. I think the most important lesson I’ve learned during this cycle is that not everything needs to be perfect in order to be sufficient. It’s something that I always tell my students and colleagues during workshop, but I have a hard time believing it myself. It took the academy to finally make me realise that I can make something that works and take the time afterwards to finetune and readjust my goals while building. It’s a life’s lesson that I will take to heart.


Last update: June 8, 2021