MAGICbox - Introduction to electronics for Arduino

PLEASE NOTE THE MAGICBOX WILL NOT BE IN OPERATION DURING:

THE SMARTLAB PHD SEMINARS:

16-25 0CTOBER '09

& 19-27 FEBRUARY '10

Introduction to electronics for Arduino

A new monthly addition to the MAGICbox workshop, specifically aimed at those who wish to use this interactive medium within their projects.

This two hour workshop provides an overview of electronics and the Arduino, for people who have an interest in making their own interactive objects.

Arduino is a tool for making computers that can sense and control more of the physical world than your desktop computer. It's an open-source physical computing platform based on a simple microcontroller board, and a development environment for writing software for the board.

Arduino can be used to develop interactive objects, taking inputs from a variety of switches or sensors, and controlling a variety of lights, motors, and other physical outputs. Arduino projects can be stand-alone, or they can be communicate with software running on your computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP.) The boards can be assembled by hand or purchased preassembled; the open-source IDE can be downloaded for free.

The Arduino programming language is an implementation of Wiring, a similar physical computing platform, which is based on the Processing multimedia programming environment.

MAGICbox

The MAGICBOX workshops enable fabrication of computer generated design models. We are a SMARTlab research and development center located in the MAGIC room. Our goal is to develop accessible systems for desktop manufacturing, peer production and digital materialization. We are interested in the application of this technology to disadvantaged population groups.

Workshops take place weekly from 11am - 1pm, with a special monthly Arduino workshop on the last wednesday of each month.

The workshop explores the capabilities of desktop manufacturing using systems adapted from industrial Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machines. CNC machines have been developed to replace assembly line mass production with a flexible, scalable alternative allowing economical, fast turnaround manufacturing. This same technology has been scaled down to the size of desktop units with the similar capacity of creating physical objects from virtual models.

The ability to examine a virtual computer model before committing to a physical model outstrips more traditional prototype development and one-off product creation. Similar to the way computer word-processing software allows infinite editing of a text before printing, Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) allow a virtual representation to be revised and tested to see if all the component parts fit together prior to committing to a physical output.

The computer is the tool required for the majority of the design work, more people have access to a computer than to a traditional fabrication workshop. The designs can be transported as effortlessly as any e-mailed file and generated on an offsite machine.

The MAGICbox workshop is equipped to demonstrate design using this technology. Once a workshop participant is introduced to the capabilities of the machines this enables them to familiarise themselves with the tools on their own computer in their own time and return with preliminary or completed designs.

The MAGICbox facility under the auspices of SMARTlab Digital Media Institute (KD 1.21) is a free and open source unit and as such will collaborate with interested individuals or groups. Our directive specifies that access to design tools and equipment should be available to a wider cross-section of community. The prerequisite is that an individual is committed, interested and willing to adhere to basic safety requirements. The laboratory has full disability access and local community groups are exceptionally welcome.

MAGICbox

The MAGICbox workshop is outfitted with several computer-driven development tools, namely:

Epilog Helix Laser (www.epiloglaser.com) This device enables accurate patterns and images to be cut or etched in a variety of materials. This machine can cut or mark most plastics (excluding PVC and polycarbonate), paper, wood, fabric, glass, card, rubber, leather and a limited variety of coated metals. The laser can engrave bitmaps as well as performing complex vector cutting. The laser cutter is used to cut precise 2-dimensional shapes that can then be assembled to form 3-dimensional items. It can be used to selectively remove a protective mask from a metal to allow chemical etching of the exposed surface; this technique is used in printed circuit board artwork generation and “chemical” milling used to produce thin sheet metal profiles.

Roland Modela MDX-20 3D Plotter (http://www.rolanddga.com/asd/products/scanners/MDX15/) This machine functions as a lightweight computer controlled mill. This machine can carve 3D shapes to a high level of accuracy. The Modela is of desktop proportions and best suited to cutting modelling materials such as engineering wax, wood, high-density foam, plastics, aluminium and brass. Objects machined in the Modela can serve as masters to create accurate moulds or can be used directly. The Modela can also engrave printed circuit boards in a rapid and chemical-free fashion; this works best with once-off boards. The Modela also has a touch-sensor head that can be used to scan complex 3D objects and create a virtual representation.

Roland CAMM-1 servo GX-24 vinylcutter (http://www.rolanddga.com/asd/products/cutters/GX24/) This vinyl cutter accepts a range of adhesive coloured vinyl films, foils and card. The design is cut with a computer controlled swivelling knife blade. Any film that resists wrinkling and is reasonably easy to cut can be fed through the machine. These machines are traditionally used for producing signs and decals but can also be used to create conductive foil patterns that can then be used as circuit board

The workshop also features electronics test and assembly equipment, an oscillating fretsaw and a range of handtools.

Prospective Laser cutter/engraver users, please download and read the laser_bed.dxf file. This file will prepare you for the most effective use of the machine from a CAD drawing. If you have never heard of CAD or Drawing Xchange Format files, do not fret, come and learn.