Fab Academy
Learning about Input Devices
To do:
Group assignment: I worked with my colleague Jhasmin Ayala
1. Probe an input device(s)'s analog levels and digital signals
2. Document your work on the group work page and reflect on your individual page what you learned
Individual assignment:
1. Measure something: add a sensor to a microcontroller board that you have designed and read it.
WHAT I ALREADY KNOW BEFOREHAND?
• I knew that the use of sensors has expanded and integrated with other technological applications, enabling data collection, action execution, and element detection, among other functions. I also understood that sensor quality and proper calibration are critical factors for obtaining reliable data.
Group assignment:
Check this link
Individual assignment:
1. Designing and 3D Printing a Hinge
• Concept: Designing a hinge that cannot be made subtractively is a great choice because hinges often require interconnected parts that are challenging to create through traditional machining methods.
• Tools: I experimented with Fusion 360 and Blender, ultimately choosing Blender, although I had to design using approximations. Blender is excellent for organic and complex shapes, while Fusion 360 is better for parametric and mechanical designs. For a hinge, Fusion 360 might have been more straightforward due to its precision tools.
• Challenges:
o Ensuring the hinge parts fit together properly.
o Designing for 3D printing constraints (e.g., overhangs, tolerances).
Reference video: this link
REFLECTIONS
• During the Fab Academy Instructors Bootcamp 2025, Craig Lyu discussed using low-cost IoT to quickly automate a production plant without needing to replace existing machinery with modern equipment. As an economist considering Peru's industrial landscape, this insight fundamentally changed my perspective on the potential for digital transformation in the productive sector. It demonstrates that significant gains in operational efficiency and resource utilization can be achieved without complex and costly apparatuses. I believe it is crucial to continue disseminating knowledge and improving access to these technologies, as their application could mark an important milestone for sustainable development.