Skip to content

Applications & Implications, Project Development

What will it do? 🤖✨

This wearable Iron Man-inspired gauntlet will light up dramatically using a NeoPixel ring at the center of the palm, respond to hand gestures, and unleash a mini flame blast from the top of the forearm (not the palm, like in the movies). It also has servo motors to open and close the glove automatically—making it super easy to put on and take off 💪🔥

Who's done what beforehand? 🕵️‍♂️

Lots of makers and fans have built Iron Man gauntlets over the years—mostly for cosplay—with basic lights or servos. Some even tried integrating gestures or flame effects. But few have put it all together in a compact, wearable, and interactive way with full digital fabrication. You're combining those ideas into something more functional, personal, and way cooler 🚀

Reference 1
Reference 2
Reference 3
Plasma Gun
These are some of my major inspirations.

What sources will you use? 📚🔌

  • Fab Academy Archive – To learn electrical connections from past projects
  • YouTube / Instructables – For inspiration and troubleshooting tips
  • Datasheets & ESP32 docs – For the brain of the build
  • Fusion 360, Blender & Adobe Illustrator – For 3D and 2D designing
  • Adafruit – For the NeoPixel ring

What will you design? 🛠️

  • A futuristic glove that opens/closes with servos 🖐️🤖
  • A hidden flame blast system on the forearm 🔥
  • A sleek outer shell inspired by Iron Man’s suit
  • A custom PCB for integrating all the electronics neatly
  • Simple gesture control with flex sensors

What materials and components will be used? 🧩

  • ESP32 (the brain)
  • NeoPixel ring for repulsor light up sequence
  • Servo motors to open/close the glove
  • Flex sensor for gesture control and triggering the blast
  • Piezo igniter for the flame blast
  • PLA filament / acrylic for casing
  • Wires, heatproof tubing, power bank, Velcro for the build

Where will they come from? 📦

  • FabLab inventory (PLA, acrylic, wiring,ESP32, NeoPixel ring, sensors)
  • Local stores (servos, propane canister, tubing)

How much will they cost? 💸

Image BOM

What parts and systems will be made? 🧠🔩

  • 3D Printed glove & forearm shell
  • Gesture-controlled lighting system & firing system
  • Servo-driven glove mechanism
  • Forearm-mounted flame blast system
  • Custom PCB for clean wiring and control

What processes will be used? ⚙️

  • 3D modeling and printing
  • Laser cutting for internal structure and display stand
  • Vinyl cutting for the livery
  • PCB design and soldering
  • Embedded programming with ESP32
  • System integration and testing
  • A bit of trial, error, and flaming glory 🌟🔥

What questions need to be answered? ❓

  • How to make the flame system safe and reliable?
  • How well do the flex sensors detect specific gestures?
  • Can the servo system be robust enough for repeated use?
  • How do we power everything efficiently in a compact form?
  • Will the glove still be comfortable to wear?

How will it be evaluated? 🧪✅

  • Does it work as intended? (lighting, gesture control, flame, glove open/close)
  • Is it safe? Especially for the flame mechanism
  • Are the electronics and mechanics well integrated?
  • Did I use a range of FabLab skills and processes?
  • Is the documentation clear and engaging?
  • Bonus: Does it make people go “whoa!” when they see it? 😄

Timeline

Covered in previous weeks Timeline

What tasks have been completed

  • Proof of concept and functional blast mechanism
  • Electrically igniting the gas(plasma lighter)
  • Sizing for the gauntlet
  • Understanding for how the mechanism will work
  • Circuit components to be used are sorted
  • Surface finish POA has been finalised
  • Safe handling of flamable gas

What tasks remain

  • Modelling & printing the forearm portion of the gauntlet
  • Testing out all electronic systems together
  • Getting reliable readings from the flex sensor
  • Dry fit and then final finish of the 3D prints

What has worked? What hasn't?

  • Flex sensor gives buggy redings
  • Modeling organic forms in Fusion 360

What questions need to be resolved

  • How to store the glove safely
  • How can this technology be minimised

What will happen when?

Timeline

What have you learned?

  • Constant testing of parts is required, every part needs to be stress tested and idiot proofed.
  • Clear sketches help in creating better CAD, which in turn help in better production of parts.
  • Mistakes happen, Plan A-Z should always exist.
  • Spiral developement might seem redundant at first but its really helps when you have something to fall back on.