Week 20 — Final Project Requirements

1. Checklist

✅ Made the final project slide in 1920 × 1080 px with my name, project name, Fab Lab name, project image and short description
✅ Made the final project video showing the fabrication, construction and operation of the project
✅ Made a separate final project page that summarizes and documents Fab Train
✅ Included the Bill of Materials for the project
✅ Linked from this page to the weekly assignments used to develop the project
✅ Documented how system integration was implemented in the final project
✅ Linked to presentation.png and presentation.mp4 located in the root directory of the website
✅ Included all original design files in a downloadable archive
✅ Included the license chosen for the project
✅ Acknowledged the work and support of others

2. Final Project Summary

My final project is called Fab Train. It is an interactive STEM train kit that integrates modular wooden rails, a 3D printed train, a wagon, a smart station, custom electronics, WiFi communication and a real-time Blynk dashboard.

The project was designed as an educational and demonstrative kit where the user can assemble the rail circuit, place the train and station, turn on the system and observe how the train interacts with the station. The train can be started and controlled from Blynk, the station detects the train using a Sharp distance sensor, and the dashboard shows the state of the system in real time.

Fab Train demonstrates the synthesis of skills developed during Fab Academy: computer-aided design, additive fabrication, subtractive fabrication, electronics design, electronics production, embedded programming, input devices, output devices, networking, interface programming, system integration and packaging.

Final Fab Train system overview — Final overview of Fab Train as an interactive STEM train kit.

3. Final Project Slide

The final slide was prepared as presentation.png. It includes the project name, my name, the Fab Lab, a project image, the main features of the system, the assignments used and a short description of what the project does.

The slide was created in horizontal format with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 px, as required for the Fab Academy final presentation.

Fab Train final presentation slide — Final project summary slide. File name: `presentation.png`.

Open presentation.png

Image source: The image presentation.png was generated with an AI image generation tool.

Final Slide Generation Workflow

For the final project slide, I created a horizontal summary image with the required Fab Academy presentation format. The slide was prepared at 1920 × 1080 px in a 16:9 aspect ratio, and it was exported as presentation.png.

The slide was designed to communicate the complete Fab Train system in one image. It includes the project name, my name, Fab Academy 2026, ZOI Lab identity, the final packaging, train, wagon, station, rails, dashboard and the main assignments used to develop the project.

Prompt — Final project slide

Create a professional high-impact horizontal 16:9 final presentation slide for a Fab Academy 2026 final project called “FAB TRAIN”. The slide must be exactly 1920 × 1080 px. Use a clean white background with a premium educational product style. Show the complete interactive STEM train kit as the central focus: a yellow and orange 3D printed train with wagon on modular wooden rails, a smart station, a real-time IoT dashboard, and the final packaging box. Include the project title “FAB TRAIN”, subtitle “Interactive STEM Train Kit”, tagline “Build • Learn • Connect”, student name “Diego Zhindon”, Fab Academy 2026, and ZOI Lab logo. Add a section titled “Assignments Used” listing Week 02 Computer-Aided Design, Week 03 Computer-Controlled Cutting, Week 04 Embedded Programming, Week 05 3D Scanning and Printing, Week 06 Electronics Design, Week 07 Computer-Controlled Machining, Week 08 Electronics Production, Week 09 Input Devices, Week 10 Output Devices, Week 11 Networking and Communications, and Week 15 Interface and Application Programming. Add small feature icons for STEM learning, modular and expandable rails, real-time connectivity, hands-on building, smart station and electronics, and dashboard monitoring. The composition should look polished, modern, readable, visually balanced, high resolution, professional, and suitable for a Fab Academy final project presentation.

After generating the slide, I verified that the final image matched the required horizontal format and used it as the final presentation.png file.

4. Final Project Video

The final video was prepared as presentation.mp4. The video shows the final project concept, construction, integrated system and operation. It presents the train moving on the rail system, the smart station, the dashboard and the final kit as a complete product.

The video is linked from this page and located in the root directory of the website, following the Fab Academy final presentation requirement.

Final project video clip. File name: presentation.mp4.

Open presentation.mp4

Video source: The video presentation.mp4 was generated with an AI video generation tool to communicate the general concept of the final project.

Video Production Workflow

For the final project video, I used a combination of my own real images and real footage of the Fab Train packaging, assembly and operation. The main video was edited in FlexClip, where I organized the sequence, transitions, timing and final export.

To improve the opening part of the video, I also used Gemini to generate two short cinematic video extracts based on real reference images and videos of my packaging. These generated clips were used only as support material for the initial packaging presentation, while the rest of the video uses my own real project images and functional test footage.

The first generated extract shows the Fab Train box as a product-style packaging shot. The second generated extract shows the packaging being opened and revealing the internal components. After these opening clips, the video continues with real footage of the project operation, including the train, rails, station and dashboard.

Prompt 1 — Packaging cinematic shot

Cinematic close-up of the specific 'FAB TRAIN' cardboard toy packaging box from image_66.png. Resting on a premium dark wood surface under warm, inviting studio lighting. Highly detailed, clean design, shallow depth of field, 4k. The camera does a slow, smooth panning shot

Prompt 2 — Packaging opening shot

A child's hands carefully opening the lid of the 'FAB TRAIN' box from image_66.png. Reveal the organized interior compartments holding the yellow 3D-printed train, wagon, and station components. Bright commercial lighting, extreme detail, photorealistic, 8k.

This workflow allowed me to create a more professional introduction for the final video while still keeping the technical content based on my real fabricated prototype, real packaging and real system operation.

5. Final Project Page

I created a separate final project page where the complete documentation of Fab Train is presented. This page includes the project overview, development process, design decisions, fabrication, electronics, programming, integration, testing, packaging and final results.

This Week 20 page works as a final requirements checklist and links to the complete final project documentation.

Open Final Project Page

6. Weekly Assignments Used

Fab Train was developed progressively through several weekly assignments. Each assignment contributed a specific skill or subsystem to the final project.

Week	Assignment	Contribution to Fab Train
Week 02	Computer-Aided Design	2D and 3D design of the rails, train, wagon, station and packaging concepts.
Week 03	Computer-Controlled Cutting	Laser cutting knowledge used for packaging, box design and fabrication logic.
Week 04	Embedded Programming	Programming logic for microcontroller control, motor behavior and system states.
Week 05	3D Scanning and Printing	3D printed train body, wagon, wheels, axles and station components.
Week 06	Electronics Design	Custom PCB design for train and station circuits.
Week 07	Computer-Controlled Machining	CNC machining of the MDF rail system.
Week 08	Electronics Production	PCB fabrication and soldering of the electronic boards.
Week 09	Input Devices	Sharp distance sensor reading and analog signal interpretation.
Week 10	Output Devices	Motor and LED control for the train and station.
Week 11	Networking and Communications	WiFi communication between train, station and dashboard.
Week 15	Interface and Application Programming	Blynk dashboard for monitoring and control.
Week 16	System Integration	Integration of rails, train, station, electronics, dashboard and packaging.
Week 18	Applications and Implications	BOM, costs, evaluation, final development planning and project implications.

Week 02 Week 03 Week 04 Week 05 Week 06 Week 07 Week 08 Week 09 Week 10 Week 11 Week 15 Week 16 Week 18

7. Final Project Requirements Mapping

The final project incorporates the required range of Fab Academy skills. The following table summarizes how each requirement was implemented in Fab Train.

Fab Academy requirement	Implementation in Fab Train
2D design	Rail layouts, packaging artwork, box design and fabrication drawings.
3D design	Train body, wagon, wheels, axles and station components.
Additive fabrication	3D printed train, wagon, wheels, axles and station parts.
Subtractive fabrication	CNC-machined MDF rails and fabricated packaging elements.
Electronics design	Train PCB and station PCB designed for the project.
Electronics production	PCB fabrication in FR4 and soldering of through-hole and SMD components.
Embedded microcontroller interfacing and programming	Two XIAO ESP32-C6 boards programmed in Arduino IDE.
Input devices	Sharp distance sensor for station detection and analog battery reading for train monitoring.
Output devices	DC motor, LEDs and dashboard indicators.
Networking and communication	WiFi communication between train, station and Blynk dashboard.
Interface and application programming	Blynk dashboard with buttons, indicators, gauges and speed control.
System integration and packaging	Final integrated STEM kit with rails, train, wagon, station, electronics, dashboard and packaging.

8. Bill of Materials

The Bill of Materials was documented in detail in Week 18. For this final requirements page, I include a summary of the main components used in the project and link to the complete project development documentation.

Category	Main items	Use in the project
Fabrication materials	3 mm MDF, 12 mm MDF, PLA filament and adhesive vinyl	Rails, train parts, station parts and packaging.
Microcontrollers	Two XIAO ESP32-C6 boards	One controller for the train and one controller for the station.
Power and motion	9 V battery, DC motor with gearbox and L9110S motor driver	Power and movement of the train.
Input devices	Sharp distance sensor and battery voltage divider	Station detection and train battery monitoring.
Output devices	LEDs and motor output	Visual feedback and train movement.
Electronics	FR4 boards, resistors, capacitors, regulator, pin headers and jumpers	Custom train and station PCBs.
Mechanical assembly	Magnets, M3 screws and nuts	Assembly and connection of physical parts.

The estimated total cost of the final prototype was approximately 124.95 USD, based on the detailed BOM prepared in Week 18.

Open Week 18 — BOM and Project Development

9. System Integration

System integration was one of the most important stages of the final project. Fab Train had to work as a single system, not only as separated mechanical, electronic and digital parts.

The integrated system includes the rail circuit, the train, the wagon, the smart station, the custom electronics, the WiFi communication, the Blynk dashboard and the packaging. The user can assemble the rails, place the station, start the train from the dashboard and monitor the system in real time.

The station detects the train using the Sharp distance sensor. When the train reaches the station detection range, the station activates the stop command. The train receives the command through Blynk, stops, and waits until the user presses the Blynk button again to continue.

Fab Train complete integrated system — Complete integrated system showing the train, rails, station, dashboard and packaging.

Open Week 16 — System Integration

10. Original Design Files

All original files for the final project are included in a downloadable ZIP archive. The archive contains the main design and fabrication files used to reproduce or study the project.

The archive includes 2D files, 3D files, PCB design files, Arduino code, packaging files and related final project resources.

File group	Examples included
2D design files	Rail layouts, box design and cutting files.
3D design files	Train, wagon, wheels, axles and station STL files.
Electronics files	PCB design and production files for train and station.
Code files	Arduino programs for train and station controllers.
Packaging files	Illustrator artwork and box DXF file.

Download FAB_TRAIN.zip

11. Final Project Operation

The operation of Fab Train is designed to be simple for the user. The user assembles the rail circuit, places the station next to the track, places the train and wagon on the rails, turns on the train and uses the Blynk dashboard to start or resume movement.

The electronics are integrated inside the train and station, so the user does not need to manipulate the internal circuits during normal operation. This makes the project more appropriate as an educational kit and improves the final product experience.

Fab Train kit and packaging — Fab Train presented as a finished kit with train, wagon, rails, station and packaging.

12. License

The project is documented openly through the Fab Academy website and GitLab. The intention is to share the design, fabrication process, code and project development so that other students, makers and educators can study it, reproduce it or adapt it for educational purposes.

For the final project documentation, I use a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial approach. This means that the project can be shared and adapted with attribution, but it is not intended for direct commercial use without permission.

This licensing decision supports the educational nature of Fab Train. The project is intended as an open learning resource and a possible base for future STEM workshops, classroom activities and maker projects.

13. Acknowledgements

This project was developed as part of Fab Academy 2026 at ZOI Lab. I want to acknowledge the support of the local instructors, classmates and Fab Lab community during the design, fabrication, electronics and integration process.

The weekly assignments, group reviews and technical feedback helped improve the project step by step. The final result is the product of individual work, but also of the learning environment created by Fab Academy and the support available inside the lab.

I also acknowledge the use of open documentation, component references, Blynk tools, Arduino IDE and digital fabrication workflows that made it possible to integrate mechanical parts, electronics and software into one final system.

14. What Worked and What Did Not

Aspect	Result	Comment
Rail system	Worked	The MDF rails were successfully fabricated and assembled as a modular circuit.
Train movement	Worked	The train moved on the rails using the DC motor and custom train design.
3D printed train and wagon	Worked	The printed parts fit the rail system after design adjustments.
Train PCB	Worked	The PCB controlled the motor, LEDs and battery monitoring system.
Station sensor	Worked	The Sharp sensor detected the train in the station range.
Blynk dashboard	Worked	The dashboard displayed motor state, battery, distance and stop command.
Train stop at station	Worked after adjustment	The stop command required a latch logic because the train could pass the sensor quickly.
Battery system	Worked with limitations	The 9 V battery can power the train, but a rechargeable battery would be better for future versions.
Packaging	Worked	The final box stores the train, wagon, rails and station as a complete kit.

15. Final Evaluation

The project was evaluated by checking whether the complete system could be assembled, powered, controlled and monitored. The final evaluation focused on mechanical movement, sensor detection, electronic control, dashboard visualization, packaging and user interaction.

The train moves on the CNC-machined MDF rails.
The wagon follows the train as part of the kit.
The station detects the train using the Sharp distance sensor.
The train stops when the station sends the stop command.
The user can start and resume the train from Blynk.
The dashboard shows motor state, battery voltage, battery percentage, distance and PWM speed.
The final packaging contains the main project parts and presents the project as a finished kit.
The project demonstrates integration of digital fabrication, electronics, programming and interface design.

Based on these results, Fab Train meets the final project requirements and demonstrates the integration of the Fab Academy skills developed throughout the program.

16. Final Reflection

Fab Train helped me understand that a final project is not only a single object, but a complete system where design, fabrication, electronics, programming, communication and user interaction must work together.
One of the most important lessons was learning how to divide a complex project into subsystems. The rails, train, station, electronics, dashboard and packaging were developed separately, but the final value came from integrating them correctly.
The rail system showed me the importance of subtractive fabrication and manufacturing planning. CNC machining requires correct tool selection, toolpaths, tolerances, material preparation and finishing.
The 3D printed train and wagon showed me that additive manufacturing is powerful for iteration. I was able to test dimensions, correct geometry and improve the fit between the train and the rails.
Designing and fabricating custom PCBs helped me move from prototype wiring to a more reliable and organized electronic system.
The input and output devices were essential for the project behavior. The Sharp sensor allowed the station to detect the train, while the motor and LEDs gave the system movement and visual feedback.
The Blynk dashboard made the project easier to understand because it transformed hidden electronic states into visible information for the user.
System integration was the most challenging part. Individual components can work separately, but a final project requires timing, power, signals, communication and physical assembly to work as one coordinated system.
Packaging changed the perception of the project. Once the parts were organized inside a designed box, Fab Train became closer to a finished educational product rather than only a prototype.
The project also showed the importance of testing. Some solutions only appeared after real tests, such as improving the stop command logic so the train could react correctly when passing the station.
From a broader perspective, Fab Academy helped me understand the value of digital fabrication as a complete workflow: imagining, designing, fabricating, measuring, programming, testing, documenting and improving.
I also learned that using machines correctly is part of responsible fabrication. CNC machines, laser cutters, 3D printers and electronics tools require planning, safety, calibration and respect for the process.
The final project confirmed that technical knowledge becomes stronger when it is connected to a real objective. Each weekly assignment became more meaningful because it contributed directly to Fab Train.
Overall, this project represents my synthesis of Fab Academy: a digitally fabricated, electronically controlled, connected and documented system that can be used as a base for future educational STEM experiences.