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Applications and Implications, Project Development


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✅


Answering the questions 📝❓



What will it do?

This interactive crib mobile is specially designed for babies. It features a smart sound sensor that automatically activates NeoPixel lights and a servo motor when it detects crying. The activation lasts for 5 minutes, a duration that is short enough to avoid overstimulation while still helping to soothe the baby.

The light emitted is soft and diffused through a 4 mm thick white PLA shell, and the brightness level is calibrated to remain around 30 lux at a distance of 60 cm—within safe limits for awake infants. With its soft materials and gentle, safe design, it is ideal for daily use in the crib.




Who's done what beforehand?

During my research, I did not find any project specifically related to an interactive crib pendant at Fab Academy. However, I did discover a very interesting project by J. Carlos Cano, who designed a smart crib equipped with web control and a camera. This project integrates technology to remotely monitor and control the crib, providing enhanced safety and convenience.

Additionally, I found another relevant project outside of Fab Academy: the “Interactive Mobile with Sound Sensors and Bluetooth Control,” designed by Kattni Rembor for Adafruit. This mobile uses sound sensors to detect the baby's crying and responds with interactive lights and sounds controlled via Bluetooth, creating an enriching sensory experience for the baby.

That last project is the closest to what I am thinking of doing.

Both projects demonstrate how technology can be integrated into baby products to improve their well-being and make parents’ lives easier.




What will you design?

Structure

  • Whale body: 2D and 3D design process, manufactured using 3D printing technology.
  • Mechanism: 2D and 3D design process, fabricated with laser cutting technology.
  • Crib mobile support structure: 2D and 3D design process, using both CNC Router and laser cutting technologies.

Electronics

  • PCB: Designed to control the system’s input and output devices.

Programming

  • Code: Developed using the Arduino IDE to operate the Xiao ESP32-C3 microcontroller.




What materials and components will be used?

Structure

  • Whale body: Manufactured using 3D printing with white polylactic acid (PLA).
  • Crib mobile support structure: Built from 15 mm plywood (pine offcuts) and 3 mm acrylic.
  • Wiring: Steel cable typically used for hanging lamps.

Electronics

  • PCB: PCB manufactured through screen printing process.(*)
  • Microcontroller: 01 Xiao ESP32-C3.
  • Sensor: 01 KY-038 sound sensor.
  • Actuator: 01 G90 servo motor.
  • Connections:
    • 01 USB-C cable.
    • 01 NeoPixel LED strip.
    • 09 Jump wires.
(*)The board used was manufactured through screen printing and is a commercial-grade board that I had produced based on the design created in week 6 and fabricated in week 8. This version was chosen over the one made from bakelite due to its more compact size and greater structural strength, which allows for better solder adhesion and reduces the likelihood of detachment.




Where will they come from?

Structure

  • Whale body: The main object, the whale, was 3D printed using PLA filament. I rented a 3D printer from Garage Lab due to time constraints, as printing it myself at the Fab Lab iFurniture would have taken too long.
  • Crib mobile support: Made using recycled plywood from leftover materials at Fab Lab iFurniture. Additionally, it includes details made with acrylic, which I’ve had for years and am now reusing from previous projects.

Electronics

  • Xiao ESP32-C3: This microcontroller is reused from a previous Fab Academy project by my colleague Cristian, who used it last year.
  • NeoPixel LED strip: Provided by the Fab Lab iFurniture.
  • Other components: Purchased from Bora Electronics.




How much will they cost?

Materials Table

Material Description / Use Source Unit Cost (USD) Quantity Total Cost (USD)
PLA Filament 3D printed whale body Garage Lab (outsourced) 2.6875 8 21.50
Plywood (15mm) Crib mobile support structure Recycled from Fab Lab iFurniture 0.00 1 3.27
Acrylic (3mm) Detail part of the support Personal reuse (leftovers) 8.17 1 8.17
Steel Cable Hanging mechanism Common lamp wire 1.635 2 3.27
Xiao ESP32-C3 Main microcontroller Reused (Fab Academy - Cristian) 19.05 1 19.05
KY-038 Sound Sensor Detects baby’s cry Bora Electronics 1.22 1 1.22
G90 Servo Motor Movement mechanism Bora Electronics 2.45 1 2.45
NeoPixel LED Strip Lighting effects Fab Lab iFurniture 30 leds 11,50
USB-C Cable Power and programming 1 4.08
Jump wires Connections on PCB Bora Electronics 9 1.09
Total Project Cost (USD): 75.60




What parts and systems will be made?

  • A whale figure will be manufactured using 3D printing technology.
  • The crib support structure will be built from recycled phenolic wood.
  • The mechanism that enables the whale’s movement will be fabricated using CNC laser cutting.
  • A custom electronic board will also be designed and manufactured to control the system.



What processes will be used?

Project Processes

  1. Concept and Design
  2. Computer-Controlled Cutting
  3. 3D Printing
  4. Electronics Design
  5. Electronics Production
  6. Embedded Programming
  7. Computer-Controlled Machining
  8. Input Devices
  9. Output Devices
  10. System Integration
  11. Final Testing and Documentation



What questions need to be answered?

  1. How will the system detect when the baby is crying?
    Using a KY-038 sound sensor, which detects sound peaks and sends a signal to the microcontroller.
  2. How will the whale's movement be triggered?
    When the sound exceeds a defined threshold, the microcontroller activates a G90 servo motor to move the whale.
  3. How will the structure be safely mounted on the crib?
    The support is made of recycled phenolic wood and acrylic, using secure joints and steel cable commonly used in hanging lamps for stability.
  4. What are the main safety considerations for a baby product?
    Avoiding detachable small parts, using non-toxic materials such as PLA, ensuring structural stability, and enclosing all electronics to keep them out of reach.
  5. How will the electronic components be powered?
    Via a USB-C cable connected to a wall adapter or portable battery.
  6. Can the NeoPixel LED strip be dynamically controlled?
    Yes, the Xiao ESP32-C3 microcontroller can manage lighting effects in response to sound or pre-programmed animations.
  7. How will the system be programmed and tested?
    The code will be written and uploaded using the Arduino IDE. Testing includes verifying the sound sensor input and motor/LED outputs.
  8. What materials or components have been reused or recycled?
    Recycled phenolic wood from the Fab Lab, leftover acrylic from previous projects, a reused Xiao ESP32-C3 from a past Fab Academy project, and other components from the Fab Lab iFurniture.
  9. Will a custom PCB be fabricated?
    Yes, a custom PCB will be designed and manufactured using screen printing techniques to keep the layout compact and organized.
  10. How will all components be integrated into a single functional system?
    Through a custom PCB and embedded programming, with all components securely installed in or on the physical structure of the project.



How will it be evaluated?

The main objective of the interactive crib mobile is to provide gentle and responsive sensory stimulation for the baby, helping to soothe them when they start crying. The mobile is designed to detect the baby’s cry using a sound sensor and respond by activating movements and lights that capture their attention and promote relaxation. Additionally, it aims to integrate technology and functional design with sustainable materials and digital fabrication processes to create a safe, efficient, and personalized product.


Project Development 📝


what tasks have been completed?

I still have a few tasks left to complete, but I am on the right track. Only some details need to be fine-tuned, and the whale crib mobile will be ready very soon.

Phase Start Date End Date Progress
1. Concept and Design Jan 30 May 15 100%
2. Computer-Controlled Cutting May 16 May 16 100%
3. 3D Printing May 1 May 20 100%
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 21 100%
8. Input Devices Mar 22 Apr 30 100%
9. Output Devices Mar 29 Apr 5 100%
10. System Integration May 10 May 30 100%
11. Final Testing and Documentation May 20 May 30 80%

Legend:

  •   Completed (100%)
  •   In Progress / Not Completed (<100%)



what tasks remain?

According to the schedule and progress shown in the previous chart, only a few tasks remain to be completed. Most of the main processes are already finished, and I am now focusing on fine-tuning the final details to ensure everything works correctly. I am satisfied with the progress made so far and confident that the whale crib mobile will be completed and ready for use very soon.



what has worked? what hasn't?

The electronic programming has worked really well. What I do notice is that I should have designed the whale in five parts to achieve better mobility, but it still turned out amazing. I really like how it’s coming together.




what questions need to be resolved?

  • How to improve the whale’s design to achieve better mobility?
  • How to improve the programming for smoother and more natural movements?
  • What additional features could enhance the soothing effect?




what will happen when?

This question has two answers: one for the present and another for the future. The main idea of this project is that the object accompanies users over time. The primary user is the baby, since this is a crib mobile. Crib mobiles are usually decorative but fulfill a vital function: to soothe and distract the baby.

However, this question leads us to think about the future — what happens when the baby grows up? This object can continue to be used as a lamp. The initial idea is that, through electronic programming, the sound sensor activates when it detects the baby’s cry. But looking ahead, the intention is for it to work as a lamp that turns on when music reaches a certain volume threshold, causing the whale to activate with the sound and the LEDs to light up in sync with the music.

This object can accompany the baby, the infant, the adult, and I would even dare to say the elderly. It is a versatile object that not only serves a purpose at one stage of life but across several.




what have you learned?

What did I learn? A lot! I had previous knowledge in digital fabrication, but my main interest was always electronics. Therefore, this course taught me so much. I learned the design processes, how to convert files into G-code to manufacture them with machines, and I learned what I always wanted: electronics, which allowed me to turn the ideas I had in mind into reality.

It was challenging to learn, but I did it. I really loved it and would recommend it a thousand times. Before taking the course, I hesitated because 10 years ago I tried and didn’t continue, and I thought maybe it wasn’t as important anymore. But honestly, I don’t regret taking it, as it completed knowledge I didn’t have and gave me a new perspective on product development and making things.




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