* Develop a plan for dissemination of your final project.
* Prepare drafts of your Summary Slide (presentation.png, 1920x1080) and Video Clip (presentation.mp4, 1080p HTML5, less than ONE minute, file size smaller than 25 MB) and put them in your website's root directory.
☑ Created a dissemination plan for your final project.
☑ Outlined future possibilities and described how to make them probabilities.
☑ Uploaded a draft summary slide and video in the correct resolution and format.
☑ Checked your slide and video are accessible from your website.
Develop a plan for dissemination of your final project
Project Overview and Development Progress
As outlined at the beginning of my documentation, my goal for this Fab Academy project is to create a custom-built photo-screening music box, utilizing the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired throughout the course. The concept blends traditional music box charm with modern digital fabrication techniques. The music box features two core functionalities:
1. Music Playback
• Originally, I considered using a mechanical method—either manual hand-cranking or a motorized crank—to play music through a physical drum.
• This idea later evolved into playing audio files via an electronic setup, allowing for greater flexibility and more complex soundtracks.
2. Photo Screening
• The initial concept involved an interchangeable photo disc that could be rotated manually or with a motor.
• This was further developed into a split-flap display mechanism, where a motor rotates individual photo flaps to reveal a sequence of images.
While there are numerous music box designs on the market—from ornate, gothic-style boxes to sleek, modern electronic versions—I have yet to come across a product that integrates both customizable music playback and interchangeable visual storytelling in the same way my design does.
Unique Features and User Customization
The key selling point of my design lies in its high degree of flexibility and customization:
1. User-Defined Audio Playback
• Users can easily update the songs by saving audio files to a MicroSD card, provided the file format and filename follow the specified coding structure.
• This eliminates the need for physical rewiring or hardware changes when updating content.
2. Customizable Visual Content
• The split-flap display allows users to replace photos or illustrations by simply printing sticker labels and attaching them to the flap elements.
• This makes the music box highly personalize — ideal as a gift or storytelling device.
This music box is entirely fabricated using basic digital fabrication tools such as 3D printing, laser cutting, and PCB milling. The project integrates several core maker competencies:
• Mechanical design using Fusion360.
• Mechanism development, specifically for the split-flap system.
• Electronics assembly and circuit wiring.
• Embedded programming using the Arduino IDE.
It demonstrates a full-stack approach — from digital design to physical assembly and software control — all built within the Singapore Polytechnic FabLab environment.
Current Challenges and Future Improvements
While I have achieved basic functionality, the project remains in the development phase. Current limitations include:
• Bulky form factor compared to commercial products.
• Redundant electronics and wiring that need to be optimized.
• Potential improvements in durability and user interface accessibility.
Future iterations will focus on:
• Reducing the number of components through custom PCB integration.
• Shrinking the overall size to make it more practical and visually appealing.
• Enhancing battery life and portability.
Dissemination and Outreach Plans
To share this project with a broader audience and gather support:
• I plan to showcase the project on Kickstarter or similar platforms to generate awareness and potential funding for continued development and commercialization.
• A dedicated website or open-source repository (e.g., GitHub or Instructables) will be created to:
o Share step-by-step build instructions.
o Provide downloadable files (STLs, schematics, code).
Educational Value and Community Impact
Beyond being a personal project, this music box has significant educational potential:
• It can serve as a teaching aid to demonstrate electromechanical systems, audio-visual integration, and digital fabrication workflows.
• Select subsystems (e.g., the split-flap mechanism or MP3 playback module) could be modularized into classroom mini-projects for students learning Arduino or fabrication basics.
• The interactive and customizable nature of the project may inspire others to build personalized, meaningful devices that combine technology with storytelling.
You all may refer back to Week 17 - Applications and Implications, Project Development to view both my one-page slide and video of my final project.
Reflection
In summary, once the design is refined and fully functional, I believe this photo-screening music box has the potential to create excitement in both the maker and educational communities. Its ability to sync visuals and sound in a tangible, programmable format makes it not only a unique product but also a platform for creativity and learning.
