Final Project
WHALE CRIB MOBILE
Project Phases
| Phase |
Start Date |
End Date |
Progress |
| 1. Concept and Design |
Jan 30 |
May 15 |
100% |
| 2. Computer-Controlled Cutting |
May 16 |
May 16 |
50% |
| 3. 3D Printing |
May 1 |
May 20 |
20% |
| 4.Electronics Design |
Feb 25 |
Feb 28 |
100% |
| 5. Electronics Production |
Mar 14 |
Apr 15 |
100% |
| 6. Embedded Programming |
Feb 15 |
May 8 |
100% |
| 7. Computer-Controlled Machining |
May 16 |
May 21 |
10% |
| 8. Input Devices |
Mar 22 |
Abr 30 |
100% |
| 9. Output Devices |
Mar 29 |
Abr 5 |
100% |
| 10. Molding and Casting |
May 1 |
May 13 |
50% |
| 11. System Integration |
May 10 |
May 30 |
45% |
| 12. Final Testing and Documentation |
May 20 |
May 30 |
0% |
1. Concept and Design
My final project stems from curiosity and the desire to create something truly meaningful. At Grullas Design, I specialize in crafting both handmade and digitally fabricated objects, with the goal of bringing products to life that connect with people. One of the items I am most passionate about creating is crib mobiles for babies. Among the animals I love the most are whales, whose elegance and majesty have always inspired me.
From there, the idea for my final project was born: to create an electronic toy that goes beyond just being a simple crib mobile. I want it to be an interactive object that stimulates the baby through their visual sense, combining light and movement in an attractive and relaxing way.
The idea is for this toy to have a smooth and harmonious movement, like a whale swimming in the water, but instead of moving freely, it will be suspended from a fixed point, such as the ceiling or a holder. The exciting part of this toy is that, upon detecting the baby opening their eyes, it will automatically activate: it will start moving slowly, and a soft light will turn on, ensuring it won’t harm their vision. Additionally, it will include a motion sensor to make the experience even more interactive and immersive.
My primary user for this project is babies. I want this toy not only to provide visual stimulation but also to create a calming atmosphere, helping them enjoy a sense of calm as they watch the movement and light, contributing to their sensory development.
Sketches and Tentative schedule
Here I present some sketches of the project idea. Initially, I designed whales that would be suspended by pulleys. However, after some feedback from my instructor Cristian and Roberto, we concluded that it would be better to integrate all the electronic components inside the whale, making it the central object that holds the "soul" of the project.
I have created a tentative schedule to organize myself and make progress with the final project, while I continue learning to use the tools provided by the Fab Academy program.
In week 02, I worked with Blender to explore how the crib mobile concept would look. This was an important step in the project process, as it allowed me to visualize the initial idea and consider the overall design.
Later, in week 15, I focused on refining the design, exploring the mechanism in detail, and completing the final structure of the crib mobile.
2. Computer-Controlled Cutting
For the laser work, I designed the mechanism that will go inside the whale as part of the crib mobile. This mechanism will be made using laser cutting and will be fabricated in acrylic material.
For the whale's internal mechanism, I chose to use translucent acrylic. In this process, I applied the knowledge I had acquired about laser cutting.
I liked how it looks; aesthetically, it closely matches what I had envisioned.
3. 3D Printing
As part of the progress toward printing the figure, I started with modeling in Rhinoceros. From there, I created the 3D molds for the casting process, which allowed me to obtain the final pendant figure.
As part of the prototyping process, I save the model files in STL format. Then I open them in Ultimaker Cura to generate the G-code required for 3D printing.
4.Electronics Design
During Week 6, I learned how to design an electronic board. It took time and effort, but I was able to successfully complete it.
The process was challenging but also very rewarding, as it allowed me to apply everything I’ve learned so far.The board I designed will be an important component of my final project, so this progress marks a key step in its development.
🔗 You can see more details here: Week 6 – Electronics Design
5. Electronics Production
During Week 8, we were assigned the task of fabricating an electronic board, applying the knowledge we had previously gained in PCB design and the use of tools like design software and milling machines.
The process included preparing the design file, setting up the milling parameters, and using the mini milling machine to physically produce the board.
I successfully fabricated my own board, which was a very rewarding experience and helped me better understand the electronic production process.
🔗 You can see more details here: Week 8 – Electronics Production
6. Embedded Programming
During Week 4 of the Fab Academy, I researched two microcontrollers. One of them was the XIAO RP2040, which I initially planned to use for my final project. However, as the development progressed, I found that the XIAO ESP32-C3 was a better fit for my needs, since its configuration in the Arduino IDE was less complicated compared to the RP2040. For this reason, I ultimately chose to use the ESP32-C3 microcontroller.
7. Computer-Controlled Machining
The technology I’m using is machine-controlled, as I am designing a hanging arm or support for a crib. Through this arm, the cable that connects the object (a decorative whale) to the power outlet will run, allowing it to be safely and aesthetically powered.
8. Input Devices
For the input component, I initially considered using a touch sensor, but along the way I decided to switch to the KY-038 sound sensor. With the sound of the baby crying, this sensor would activate the mechanism, turning on both the servo motor and the LEDs.
9. Output Devices
The output device will be activated by the KY-038 sound sensor, which will turn on the SG90 servomotor and the neopixel. This will cause the whale to light up like a lamp, but with a soft, diffused light that is not invasive for the baby. The idea is to create a calming atmosphere, while the whale's movement serves as a visual distraction, helping to soothe or entertain the baby.
10. Molding and Casting
What I started with was the 3D modeling of the whale. From this model, I’m creating the mold that will be used to produce the physical object.
11. System Integration
I'm now approaching the final stage of the project, and the whale will serve as the container for my system. I had to design the internal mechanism and plan how the electronic system would be integrated inside the object, ensuring that everything fits both functionally and aesthetically.
12. Final Testing and Documentation
As part of the testing process, I 3D-printed a small sample to check that the components fit correctly and had the right dimensions. Everything seemed to align as expected, so I will confidently continue with the development.