My project is a fun slot machine, like the ones you see in casinos, but instead of winning money, it helps you come up with creative project ideas. It has four wheels, each with different options. When you spin them, you get a set of random constraints to guide your next project.

a modular fruil ball made in a day prompt - Make a gift using cardboard materials that’s one day build and involves modular design

You might end up with something like: "Make a gift using cardboard materials that’s one day build and involves modular design."

It aims to solve help makers and creators go through theirs creativity block.like the equivalent of writers block

My inspiration comes from the Yetch Maker Dice, created by Simone Giertz. It's a set of dice that helps generate random project ideas for makers, similar to what I'm aiming for with my slot machine. The idea for my project, a "fortune teller for makers," was something I talked about in the first week of Fab Academy.

Here’s an image of the Yetch Maker Dice for reference:

Simone Giertz's Maker Dice give random prompts to spark creativity, just like my slot machine, but mine will add a bit more fun and randomness with spinning wheels and a variety of constraints to really challenge makers.

I'll design a single wheel attached to a Hall effect sensor and a motor. My initial idea was to make it modular with I2C, but I discovered that the Xiao RP2040 microcontroller has exactly all the pins I need, so I might switch to using that instead.

The design will include a robust casing, as Neil suggested to me in his random generator slot video. This casing will not only house the wheel, sensor, and motor but also ensure everything is neatly packed and visually appealing.

The materials and components required for the project include:

Mechanical Parts: The project involves four 3D printed wheels each with a centrally mounted motor and an actuation lever. These wheels are crucial for the movement and display mechanism of the project.

Electronics: In terms of electronics, magnets embedded in the wheels interact with a Hall effect sensor to detect their position accurately. This setup ensures that the display shows the correct information based on wheel positioning. Additionally, MOSFETs on the main board enable smooth acceleration and deceleration of the motors.

Other Materials: I plan to use a plywood base for structural support, laser-cut living hinge housing for the curved sections of the enclosure, and a resin-casted nameplate featuring a NeoPixel strip that reads "let's make."

These materials and components are integral to achieving the functionality and aesthetic appeal of my project.

Most of the materials for my project will be sourced from the Fab Lab inventory, showcasing my commitment to using available resources effectively. This approach underscores my method of planning and designing the project around existing materials, demonstrating a sustainable and resourceful approach to fabrication.

this will make rapid prototyping way faster!!!
also appreciate the impressive inventory capacity of Fab Lab Kerala, which has been instrumental in sourcing most of the materials for my project. Their extensive resources have enabled me to design and fabricate my project effectively, leveraging their facilities to bring my ideas to life.

The total cost for my project is only 1187 Indian Rupees, which is approximately 10 USD, meeting the Fab Academy requirement for a low-cost project. I'm glad I managed to keep the expenses down while still achieving my goals. Below is the breakdown of the costs from the Bill of Materials:

This project demonstrates that it's possible to build a functional and innovative solution within a tight budget.

For my project, I’ll be making several parts and systems from scratch:

• 3D Printed Wheels and Supports: I'll be designing and 3D printing the wheels and their supports. These will be crucial for the slot machine mechanism.

• Laser-Cut Flexure Boards: These will be created using the laser cutter. The flexure boards are essential for the structure and flexibility of the slot machine.

• Routed Base: The base of the slot machine will be routed from plywood. This will provide a sturdy foundation for the entire project.

• Molded and Cast Name Plate: I'll be molding and casting the name plate, which will include an embedded NeoPixel strip that says "Let's Make".

• Printed Cards: I'll be printing the constraint cards using the inkjet printer available at the Fab Lab. These cards will be used to provide the creative prompts generated by the slot machine.

The project will utilise the following processes:

• Laser cutting
• 3D printing
• CNC milling
• PCB design and milling
• Soldering
• Programming
• moulding and casting
• inkjet printing
• Assembly
  i am glad that i am using many of the process i learned.

Several questions need to be addressed during the development of the project:

• Can the Xiao RP2040 power all B O motors simultaneously?
• Will the wheels stop exactly at the same position each time?
• Can I achieve the retro yet pleasant aesthetic design I envision for the project?
• Will the tight tolerances between the housing and wheels interfere with the motors during movement?

Other than these, I've tried to avoid uncertainties in the project planning phase itself.
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i am thinking about sending this machine to all fab labs , so students can use it for wildcard weeks. ha ha ...

like adrian saying ... i should think about this seriously.......

As long as the results match my expectations, I'll be thrilled with the project. Beyond that, it's a Fab Academy project, so I'll be using all the knowledge I've gathered during the academy to bring this project to life using as many processes as possible. If I can make it work with the available materials, I can proudly say, "I made a project that helps make projects."

Here are the main criteria for evaluation:

• Functionality: Does the project work as intended?
• Integration: Does the project integrate the various skills and processes learned in Fab Academy?
  • Have I included all the Fab Academy processes I've gathered so far?
  • Is it nicely packaged, and does it look good?
• fun:  most importantly did i enjoyed the making journey??

If the project meets these criteria, I'll consider it a success!

• Designing and Coding a Single Unit: Successfully designed a single wheel unit, coded it to stop at the required position with smooth ramping up and down.
• Initial Testing: Completed initial tests of the wheel to ensure it stops at the correct position.
• Electronics: Embedded magnets in the wheels and set up Hall effect sensors to detect wheel positions.
• Main Board: Utilised the Xiao RP2040 microcontroller for the project, eliminating the need for I2C integration.
• Resin-Casted Name Plate: Created the resin-casted nameplate, although it didn't fit well with the overall design.
• Cost Management: Managed to keep the project cost down to approximately 10 USD (1187 INR).
• Design Improvement: Improved the overall design from a shabby initial design to a more integrated one.

• Replication: Need to replicate the single wheel unit and integrate them all.
• Main Board and Packaging: Create and assemble the main board and package the project components.
• Name Plate Adjustment: Adjust the nameplate design or placement to fit well with the overall design.
• Final Assembly: Complete the final assembly of all parts.
• Final Testing and Calibration: Conduct thorough testing to ensure the project works reliably and the wheels stop at the correct positions every time.

• Wheel Design and Coding: Successfully designed a wheel that stops at the correct position with smooth ramping.
• Electronics Integration: Embedded magnets and Hall effect sensors work as intended.
• Cost Management: Managed to keep the project within a low budget.
• Design Improvement: Achieved a better overall design through iterations.

• Name Plate Fit: The resin-casted nameplate does not fit well within the current design package.
• Schedule Adherence: Encountered challenges in following the planned schedule, leading to delays in task completion.

• Motor Power: Can the Xiao RP2040 power all B O motors simultaneously without issues?
• Position Accuracy: Will the wheels stop exactly at the same position each time they are actuated?
• Design Aesthetics: Can the retro and aesthetically pleasing design be achieved as envisioned?
• Housing Tolerances: Will the tight tolerances between the housing and wheels interfere with motor movement?
  

• Replication of Wheel Units: In the coming days, replicate the single wheel unit design and integrate them all.
• Main Board and Packaging: Assemble the main board and package the components within the next week.
• Final Adjustments: Adjust the nameplate design or placement to fit the overall design.
• Final Assembly and Testing: Complete the final assembly and conduct thorough testing within the next two weeks.
• Documentation and Presentation: Finalise the project documentation and prepare for the project presentation in the last week before the deadline.
  

• Integration of Skills: Learned to integrate various skills and processes learned throughout Fab Academy.
• Project Management: Gained experience in project management, particularly in setting SMART goals and breaking down tasks into manageable steps.
• Design Improvement: Improved design skills and gained confidence in creating aesthetically pleasing and functional designs.
• Resource Utilisation: Learned to effectively utilise available resources and keep the project within a low budget.
• Technical Problem Solving: Developed problem-solving skills to address technical challenges encountered during the project.