16. Applications and Implications¶
The week I answered the below questions for my final project.
What will it do?¶
My lamp will react to both ambient light in an environment and to an IR remote. Based on those two factors the lamp should change color and brightness, with the lamp brightness changing based on the IR remote, and the lamp color changing based on the remote.
Who’s done what beforehand?¶
Jada Greene made a similar lamp last year but used different inputs on her lamp (temperature and sound) and I think her project is a good reference point for my lamp because she, like I will have to do, combined codes for two inputs. I also like the aesthetics of her lamp which I will replicate for my lamp, but in a slightly different way.
What will you design?¶
I will design the outside casing holder, the electronics connection boards, the NeoPixel holder, and the code that controls the inputs and NeoPixels. Essentially I will make all of my project.
What materials and components will be used?¶
I plan to use some 1/8” wood, a block of thicker wood for the top and bottom caps, 3D printer filament, NeoPixels, some copper FR1 board for any custom boards, an IR remote and sensor, and a photoresistor.
Where will the materials come from?¶
All of these materials I can find in our lab so I should not have to purchase anything unless our lab is out of it.
How much will they cost?¶
Because all materials can be found in the lab, the materials will not cost anything extra to source, but if someone else were to make this exact project the way I will, the following BOM would be an estimate of cost for this project.
| Item | Price | Quantity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1m NeoPixels | $14.95 | 1 strip | Link |
| FR1 Board | $1.00 (per board) | ~ 1 board | Link |
| 1/8” plywood | $18.00 | 1 | Link |
| 1/8” clear acrylic | $43.88 | less than 1 sheet | Link |
| A photoresistor | $0.95 | 1 | Link |
| An IR sensor | $0.95 | 1 | Link |
| An IR remote | $4.95 | 1 | Link |
| SEEED Xiao RP2040 board | $5.40 | 1 | Link |
| Surface mount header pins | $4.74 | 2 packs of 8 | Link |
| Jumper wires | $6.96 | 1 pack | Link |
| Vinyl sticker sheets | $11.99 | 1 pack | Link |
| 3D Printer filament PLA | $29.99 | 1 roll but will use far less than a roll | Link |
| Frosting spray paint | $6.91 | 1 can | Link |
What parts and systems will be made?¶
I will make the system that will detect the ambient light and also one that detects the IR remote. I will make the outer cast for the lamp from wood and acrylic, and I will also make the NeoPixels holder for inside the lamp. My proposed parts list is as followed: - 1 to 2 pieces of thick wood - 1/8” plywood - 1/8” acrylic - Frosting spray paint - FR1 copper board - A microcontroller (seed xiao rp2040, an ATTiny, or maybe an Arduino??) - NeoPixel strip - A photoresistor - An IR remote and sensor - 3D printer filament for a NeoPixel holder
What processes will be used?¶
I will use laser cutting, CNC milling, CAD designing, 3D printing, soldering, electronics design and production, and programming.
What questions need to be answered?¶
I need to figure out how to combine codes for both an IR remote and a photoresistor and figure out how to best combine the two inputs with color and brightness of the NeoPixels. I also need to figure out whether I make one big electronics board or 2-4 smaller separate ones.
How will it be evaluated?¶
My lamp should be evaluated on a functionality basis. The lamp should work as described to change colors and brightness based on the ambient light and an IR remote. It should also be evaluated on neatness and appearance as it is an aesthetic object.