applications and implications, project development

This weeks individual assignment:

• propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered
• complete your final project, tracking your progress

This weeks learnings:

This week, I've solidified my ability to answer simple questions. At least, I hope so. See for yourself.

What will it do?

My final project will catapult the game of beer pong into a new realm by interacting with players multimodally. I'm planning to use both lighting and sound to motivate, demotivate, and confuse. I'll try to use redundant methods to detect when a cup has been hit and react accordingly.

Who's done what beforehand?

As I described on my finals page, I'm partly my own inspiration. Years ago, I built a beer pong table, but I was lucky enough to find it had certain functionalities. Since then, I've repeatedly thought about continuing with it and implementing it more purposefully, but I've never found the right opportunity. So, I'm doing a different version (not a full table) as part of the FabAcademy. All I'm doing is the very rough construction of the two boards with the space between them, as well as the very rough arrangement of the lighting.

What sources will you use?

My final project is largely based on my inspiration and my own testing of the sensors in the previous weeks. Of course, I also spent a lot of time browsing the internet to find my mistakes. I also benefited from the exchange and work of Julian and Kerstin, who either provided ideas or whose documentation and knowledge helped me get things up and running faster. Of course, I also searched for and found similar instructions online—sorry to all book lovers.

What will you design?

I design the entire product, starting with the outer shell—for which I chose wood for aesthetic reasons and a personal connection—and probably almost all of the interior parts myself. Due to the shape and some specific constraints that would favor functionality, unfortunately, few standard parts are suitable.

What materials and components will be used?

For the outer shell, I'll be using plywood, epoxy resin, and probably acrylic glass. The interior will definitely also include 3D-printed parts, presumably made of PLA, for example, to mount the electronics. From an electrical perspective, I'll be using LEDs, a passive speaker, two different microcontrollers, and various sensors. The electronics design isn't finalized yet; at the moment, I'm still working on some areas at the breadboard level and developing the signal processing and conditioning, so I can't list all the components here yet.

Where will come from?

I got everything available there from the local hardware store. The epoxy resin in Germany is a bit more specialized and comes from a well-known manufacturer with whom I've had good experiences in the past. The final here doesn't give me time for experimentation. I sourced most of my electronics from Digikey; individual components that I forgot to order or couldn't get hold of come from a few other shops.

How much will they cost?

Here I am using a table that I will update and add to at the end of the final.

What parts and systems will be made?

I'll be building the entire electronics myself using readily available PCB components. I'll also be using various components that will allow me to securely mount the electronics inside my prototype. Using molding and casting, I'll cast epoxy resin inserts that I can later attach to my wooden top plate.

What processes will be used?

I will be using CNC milling, CAD and 3D printing, electronics design, electronics production, molding, and casting for my project. My prototype will incorporate networking and, ideally, provide a user interface.

What questions need to be answered?

The big questions I have are primarily those related to achieving the highest possible detection rate for hits in the beer pong cups. This also raises questions about signal processing and conditioning, for which, unfortunately, no technical support is expected at the moment.

How will it be evaluated?

The evaluation will take the form of an endurance test in 2 vs. 2 mode. Of particular importance is the detection of hits in the cups and the reaction via light. Everything else is a bonus.

What tasks have been completed?

To date, I have manufactured my boards, tested many sensors on the oscilloscope and breadboard, tested my power supply, and translated individual functions onto PCBs.

What tasks remain?

Everything else remains, especially the production of the final circuit boards – which is still causing me some concern. Apart from that, I still have to finish my wooden panels, cast the epoxy resin inserts, mount my sensors, and arrange the cables. I'm also considering how to make a translucent frame to protect my electronic components. Given the shortened time until delivery, realistically nothing more can be done at this point.

What has worked? What hasn't?

A lot of things worked, so I'll list the things that didn't work so well: For a long time, I had a hard time with circuit boards; unfortunately, even the smallest mistakes were enough to render the entire board unusable. For a long time, I had problems charging and connecting my battery; luckily, I was able to solve that recently; perhaps I'll add a picture of it for the horror cabinet. Unfortunately, the photodiodes didn't work for my intended purpose, as did the IR emitters and receivers. Various piezo sensors worked more poorly than better, and the signal processing electronics are a huge work in progress. I also despaired for a long time over my idea of ​​integrating speakers and thus sound.

What questions need to be solved?

The first question I ask myself is: Do I really want all this? I also often ask myself where my motivation lies.
Realistically, I still need to figure out how to construct the frame so that it remains translucent and protects my internal components. There are still some questions regarding the circuit boards and the signal processing of the piezo sensors.

What will happen when?

In the next few weeks, the bare minimum will be done to meet the requirements. Any work beyond that will take place outside of the FabAcademy. At the moment, it's hard to imagine that I'll be able to fully develop within this framework.

What have you learned?

I've learned that motivation can be very fleeting. Otherwise, I've solidified many skills from the previous weeks. The new thing is mainly signal processing, although I wouldn't go so far as to say I've learned much in this area. The whole thing was, and still is, too shaky with loose internet research and without professional support.