week17. Applications and Implications, Project Development

Assignment

Applications and Implications

Assignment

Plan a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered, answering:

• What will it do?

• Who's done what beforehand?

• What sources will you use?

• What will you design?

• What materials and components will be used?

• Where will come from?

• How much will they cost?

• What parts and systems will be made?

• What processes will be used?

• What questions need to be answered?

• How will it be evaluated?

  Your project should incorporate 2D and 3D design,
  additive and subtractive fabrication processes,
  electronics design and production,
  embedded microcontroller design, interfacing, and programming,
  system integration and packaging

  Where possible, you should make rather than buy the parts of your project

  Projects can be separate or joint, but need to show individual mastery of the skills, and be independently operable

Project Development

Assignment

Prepare drafts of your final project summary slide
(presentation.png, 1920x1080) and video clip
(presentation.mp4, 1080p HTML5, < ~minute, < ~25 MB),
put them in your root directory,
and check that they are linked in the final presentation schedule

Applications and Implications

What will it do?

The Golgo 13 Machine is a security device that detects a person approaching from behind using a 24GHz millimeter-wave radar sensor. It alerts the user via a vibration motor and sends a notification to their smartphone using BLE.
The enclosure is inspired by the traditional Japanese inrō container.

Who's done what beforehand?

Existing security devices commonly use infrared sensors or cameras for detection. However, few devices use millimeter-wave radar specifically focused on rear-approach detection.
This project aims to combine low-power, high-precision human detection with a uniquely Japanese design form.

What sources will you use?

• Datasheets and sample code for the 24GHz millimeter-wave radar sensor
• Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 documentation and BLE examples
• Arduino BLE notification example code
• 3D models designed in Fusion 360
• Knowledge from previous FabAcademy projects

What will you design?

• Inrō-inspired 3D-printed enclosure
• PCB layout for the ESP32C3 and sensor
• Physical layout for the sensor and battery
• BLE-based notification system to smartphones
• Internal structure optimized for ease of assembly and maintenance

What materials and components will be used? / Where will they come from? / How much will they cost?

Please refer to the BOM table on my final project page:

• My Final Project Page BOM

What parts and systems will be made?

• Human detection system using ESP32C3 and millimeter-wave radar
• BLE communication circuit centered around the ESP32C3
• Inrō-style 3D-printed enclosure
• Vibration alert module
• Smartphone notification interface via BLE

What processes will be used?

• 3D design using Fusion 360
• CNC routing for enclosure parts
• 3D printing (FDM) for structural components
• Hand soldering for electronic assembly
• Programming with Arduino IDE
• BLE pairing and smartphone integration

What questions need to be answered?

• Can the millimeter-wave sensor detect only from the intended direction?
• Is the vibration motor's output sufficient as a warning signal?
• Is the BLE-based smartphone notification both immediate and stable?
• Does the enclosure meet the needs for portability, aesthetics, and serviceability?

How will it be evaluated?

• Detects and reacts appropriately to people approaching from behind
• Sends notifications to a smartphone via BLE
• Vibration motor effectively functions as a warning mechanism
• Hardware and software operate in an integrated manner
• Most components are self-fabricated and demonstrate integration of FabAcademy skills

Project Components in Relation to FabAcademy Requirements

FabAcademy Skill Area	Implementation Example
2D/3D Design	Enclosure and component design in Fusion 360
Subtractive/Additive Fabrication	Enclosure production using CNC and 3D printing
Electronics Design & Production	Circuit design and soldering on a custom PCB
Embedded Microcontroller Design	ESP32C3 control with BLE and sensor implementation
Input/Output Devices	Millimeter-wave radar, vibration motor, BLE output
System Integration & Packaging	Fully integrated hardware/software in inrō casing

Links & Media

• Final Project Page
• Video of the enclosure's appearance

Project Development

I have prepared drafts of the final project summary slide and video clip, and placed them in the root directory. I have also confirmed that they are linked in the final presentation schedule.

What tasks have been completed?

• Selected and tested the XIAO ESP32C3, millimeter-wave radar sensor, and vibration motor module
• Created circuit diagrams and tested them on a breadboard
• Completed component procurement
• Developed control logic for the vibration motor
• Designed the enclosure using Fusion 360
• Planned and tested the internal layout of components

What tasks remain?

• Manufacture the custom PCB
• Implement BLE communication for smartphone notifications
• Fabricate the enclosure using a 3D printer and CNC router
• Integrate hardware and software
• Prepare final presentation slides and a one-minute demo video

What’s working? What’s not?

• Integration of the enclosure and PCB went well
• The millimeter-wave radar sensor and BLE module are working together without issues
• A CNC router (Genmitsu 4040-PRO) was introduced, but PCB milling has not gone smoothly
  • In particular, setting the depth and cutting parameters for the V-bit is difficult, and traces are not being milled cleanly
• G-code generation using mods is successful, but actual milling often results in either too shallow or too deep cuts

What questions need to be resolved?

• What are the appropriate CNC settings (cut depth, step-over, feed rate, etc.) when using a V-bit to mill PCBs?

What will happen when?

Date	Planned Tasks
June 4	Redesign and 3D print the enclosure
June 5	Final adjustments to milling settings and execution
June 6	Final hardware integration (sensors, BLE, etc.)
June 7	Functional testing, debugging, and documentation
June 10	Upload final project page and prepare presentation
June 12	Final presentation and submission

What have you learned?

• I learned the importance of careful design and validation when integrating hardware and software
• I experienced the full workflow of PCB implementation (design → CAM → milling → soldering)
• I realized the challenges of precision milling with a CNC router and the significance of tool selection and parameter tuning
• I enjoyed merging traditional Japanese design (inrō) with modern digital fabrication technologies