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Sixteenth Week of Electronics Media

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Today marks the end of the Sixteenth Week of Electronics Media. The end of the semester is right around the corner with only 2 days left until our project 2 critique. Here is what I have accomplished for this week. On 4/13/25, while I forgot to create a blog for that week, I did accomplish in gathering all the materials I needed: All the 3D parts that was listed on Week 14th for the Linear Motion Crank Shaft 37mm 600rpm geared DC motor 6mm shaft (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7GN1VPD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1) Sparkfun Sound Detector (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B26UBYA?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title) Gravity Voice Recognition Module (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5XG3BXW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title) I used the day to also assemble the crank shaft and here is the assembled module: This is where space that will hold the motor and lever module. This is the shaft attached to the motor. On 4/22/25, I took the time to assemble these parts together and created a demo...

Fourteenth Week of Electronics Media

Today has marked the end of the Fourteenth Week of Electronics Media. A few weeks until the end of the semester and two weeks left until the end of our final project. Here is a recollection of all that I accomplished this week: On 4/8/25, I spent the time to research how I can have a motor create a vertical motion where I discovered three methods that could work well with the Arduino:   Linear Actuator: A slow high powered pole that is usually paired with servo motors from what I have gathered Crank Sliders: Nearly identical structure to the Linear Actuator but is specialized to push and is typically paired with a DC motor Pneumatic Cylinder: A high powered version of a Linear Actuator that requires compress gas I decided to opt in for Crank Sliders, as I was able to find a file for Crank Slider that specifies the type of DC motor to use on Thingiverse, and also the slimmer rod can have a spring attached at the top that could create the sort of Jack-In-The-Box motion I am stri...

Thirteenth Week of Electronics Media

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The thirteenth week of electronics media has ended. For this week, we focused on understanding motors and discussing our project ideas. Here is a recap of all that occurred this week. On 3/31/25, I took the time to write down the notes from the labs before I got started on the motor examples. This is what I have recorded: What is a Base Resistor? The resistor that goes between the Arduino output pin and the base of the transistor  Keeps the transistor from drawing to much current What is a Flyback Diode? A diode that is installed "backwards" in a circuit to keep high-voltage spikes (transients) produced by inductive loads from traveling through the circuit and damaging sensitive components What is H-Bridge? A circuit that switches the polarity of 2 electrical contacts Looks like an H when made from scratch What is a Solenoid? A coil that when energized produces a controlled magnetic field down through its center, which in-turn pushes or pulls a metal plunger; easy way to make...

Twelfth week of Electronics Media

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Week 12 of Electronics Media has come to an end.  With it comes the end of Project 1 and starts the beginning of Project 2. Here is a recap of all the things that have happened this week. On 3/25/25, we spent the entire day in the Carnegie Arts Building. We continued our Project 1 critiques from a week ago, and I was incredibly nervous as I believed my project would be met with awkward silence as the coding and the construction was nowhere near as complex as my peers. But I was pleasantly surprised with what everyone had to say for the project, and it was satisfying to see everyone understanding its themes. The class also discussed our thoughts behind the themes and details of the "Metal Performance" reading. I took notes based on the reading, and here is what I wrote down:  Themes:  Depiction of machines with human traits, emotions, or even sexuality, reflecting our growing integration with tech Humans becoming more "mechanic" through prosthetics, AI augmentation o...

Tenth Week of Electronics Media

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Throughout my Spring Break, aside from relaxing, I took the time to progress on my project. Here is a recollection of what I have done for my project: On 3/14/25, I constructed the inner shell of the "Conspiracy Hat" and taped the Arduino Uno, the Breadboard, the Potentiometer, and the headphones onto it. This is what it looked like on completion: I made sure to test it as well, and it is completely functional. On 3/15/25, I created the outershell of the hat to hide the circuitry and as a protective cover of the circuits to the added tinfoil. Together when combined came out to this: It's a little bulky but it works for what I am trying to go for. And to ensure it remains functional I tested it with my TouchDesigner code and it still works from what I can gather. I also added some sound files from Antivaxxer footage from YouTube. This spring break proved to be a very productive week, and I look forward to conducting the critique!

Ninth Week of Electronics Media

This has marked the end of the ninth week of Electronics Media. This was another studio week dedicated to catching up on our projects. Here is a recap of the things that have occurred this week. On 3/4/25, I couldn't make it to class due to complications but I used that time to prepare the materials for the hat construction. I took the time to research potential material I can use both in my apartment and at my home when spring break arrives. Here is a list of materials I have decided to use and the reasoning behind it: Materials: EVA Foam: Hat base and exterior I plan to use this as I already had this material within my apartment and it is non-conductive to electricity Rubber cement: Adhesive for glue I had this material lying around my apartment as well, and it has proven to be a good ahesive when it comes to working with EVA Foam Tin Foil: Exterior Purely for the look of the hat to make it look close to a stereotypical "conspiracy" hat Glue Gun: Temporary Adhesive for ...

Eighth Week of Electronic Objects

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The Eighth week of Electronics Media has ended. This week has been devoted to studio work, where I used that time to catch up and getting close to the completion of my project. Here is a recap of what has been going on for this week: For 2/25/25, the professor was unable to make it to class due to with complications involving his trip, so the day was used as a remote studio day for our projects. During that time, I was able to fully complete my TouchDesigner code, adding in soundfiles, ensuring the math CHOP could be connected to the switch CHOP and making sure it can be heard through my headphones. Here is what the code looks like now: Thursday, 2/27/25, was another studio day but this time we were able to meet in class discussing project progress. From there, I was able to learn how to solder metals. Here are some of the notes I wrote during that soldering session: What is Soldering? A process for joining metal parts to form a mechanical or electrical bond Equivalent to gluing but wi...