Final Project

At the beginning for Fabacademy i was not sure what to do for my final project so put together the list below. My strengths are design and Fabrication, my weaknesses are all things electronic and programing related. A key goal for me in this project is to address this weakness

Input device for computer, something like space mouse for CAD - Inspired by over-engineered keyboards
Drone / RC car or boat
something big, like a pavilion or something with lighting or weather monitoring
Basic but nice lamp
Basic but nice printed shoe
Basic but nice headphones
Medical wearable (cast with sensors?)
Automation for Print farm

Research

Idea 1:

The idea for this is to make a space mouse style interface for CAD software that is inspired by opensource designs and fancy over-engineered keyboards using premium materials like the ones on the Custom Keyboards SubRedit

Idea 2:

This would be a custom cast that is 3D printed and custom fit using a scan. This would be incorporated with sensors that will inform the user if they are imparting to much force on there healing bones. Also could check that limb is being elevated at the correct angle

I used the the weekly assignment where possible to test out my ideas, such as week 2 where I used different cad software to explore the cast and the space mouse idea

While these are very conceptual they helped me move forward and get a better picture of relative complexity of each product.

In week 3 I kept things conceptual and used the brief to create a lasercut interpretation of the cast idea. While I knew I was not going to use this process going forward it this was my first week where I had a physical thing to hold and in this case ware.

Week 4 was the first week where I was basically a complete beginner. getting a very basic simulation up and running of the joystick gave me confidence that I could make this project work and I started to drift towards this being my final project.

Week 5 was a big one for me in this process. In the process of sketching, using the 3D connection cad mouse and talking to my instructor my project idea really solidified.

Mixer inspired CAD interface

The core idea for my project is the 6 axis CAD peripherals are very difficult to learn and use precisely. So my idea is to make a peripheral that splits each of the axes into its own input. This could be a dial, a slider, a toggle with a jog wheel. I’m not sure yet, but the basic concept is there.

With this decided I have been gathering more reference images

And sketching around this idea to develop my forms.

And also visiting my local music shop to have a play around with things.

This lead me into the project for week 5 where I had the opportunity to create a print in place model and an animation to further refine some of the ideas that have been in my head.

I have started to jump back into Wokwi to help plan and program some of my components

In recent development sketches I have removed the large wheel as its may be redundant, I only need 6 inputs for 6 axis of motion.

Chat with a ChatBot

can you help me create a BOM for this project, i will be milling a board to mount all the parts out of FR1 coper clad board and i can cnc, laser cut and machine the parts for the case, i just need the BOM for the electrical components

ChatGPT said: Memory updated Here’s a Bill of Materials (BOM) for your CAD macro pad:

🔌 Core Components

🧠 Microcontroller

Raspberry Pi Pico 2W (RP2350) Link

⚡️ Power

LiPo Battery (3.7V, ~1000mAh or more)
LiPo Charging Module (TP4056 or similar)
3.3V Regulator (if needed, e.g., MIC5225-3.3V for stable power)

🎛 Input Devices

Rotary Encoders (3x) – EC11 or similar (for rotational control) Link
Linear Potentiometers (3x) – 10kΩ slide potentiometers (for linear motion control) Link
Mode Selector (1x) – Rotary switch (4 positions) or 10kΩ potentiometer (if using an ADC-based selector) Link
Hotkeys (6x) – Momentary push buttons Link

📺 Display & Feedback

Display – 0.96” or 1.3” OLED (I2C, SSD1306 or SH1106) OR small TFT screen (SPI) Link
LED Indicators (Optional) – RGB LEDs or status LEDs (for mode indication)
Buzzer (Optional) – Small piezo buzzer for audio feedback

🔌 Connectors & Miscellaneous

Headers & Sockets – 2.54mm pin headers or JST connectors (for modularity)
Wires & Solder – 30AWG wire for signal connections, thicker for power
Copper-Clad FR1 Board – For custom PCB milling
Resistors – 10kΩ pull-ups for encoders/buttons if needed
Capacitors – 100nF decoupling capacitors (for power stability)

Disclaimer: Im aware that this BOM what created by a Chatbot and will be reviewed by a human before finalizing.

Spiral Development:

V1 - Just Dials and Linear Potentiometers using relative positions for inputs
V2 - Add Hotkeys
V3 - Add toggle for encoder being in absolute or relative mode
V4 - Add a display to give user information about the current mode.
V5 - Add Bluetooth support for wireless connectivity but keep power over usb.
V6 - Full wireless use using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery
V7- Infinity tune and make the dials feel sweeeeeet to use. 🤙