Embedded Files
Below contains my day-by-day documentation of this project:
Final Project Choice and Research:
My final project, a resin lamp, served as a capstone, encapsulating skills such as programming with C++, soldering the neopixels, laser cutting cardboard frames, woodworking (sanding, using the tablesaw, etc.), and resin pouring. I first began the project by equipping a wood block and planing it to properly level the faces. Then, with pre-set measurements and the assistance of Fablab supervisors, I pushed the board through the table saw to create the sixteen identical wood rods. I first glued them in 1x4 rows (four rows total), clamping and setting them for 24 hours, before gluing all four rows together into a 4x4 block. While waiting for the glue to set properly, I explored Tinkercad's simulation of neopixels, using the Adafruit_NeoPixel library import and RGB values to define specific colors for the neopixel strip. I recycled the code from my EDM 1 final project and used ChatGPT to alter the orientation of the colors (the colors - instead of abruptly changing as they did in the infinity mirror, they now alternated much more smoothly, blending together). Meanwhile, I stripped and soldered three frayed wires to the respective neopixel copper pads (red soldered to 5V - power, yellow soldered to data - pin, and black solderd to GND). I created a basic circuit containing with the soldred neopixels, a seeed xiao RP-2040 microcontroller, and a USB cord. I transferred the code to the Arduino application and uploaded it to the chip. After laser cutting a cardboard tri-fold frame and using the bandsaw to divide the wood block into two portions (1:2 ratio), I completed the resin pour. Overall, this project served as an extension of "Board to be Wild," allowing students to refine their woodworking mastery. The final product will be a 3.75" x 2.25" x 9.25" wood lamp with a strip of four neopixels on the inside; the frayed wires on the neopixel's copper pad will slip through a drilled hole in the wood, connecting to a seeed xiao RP2040 chip. The entire project will be powered by a USB cord, which connects from an outlet/computer to the seeed. When powered, the neopixels will gradually transition through the colors of the rainbow, showing a variety of lights through the resin.
Build inspirations sprang from MB Resin Art's Blue Epoxy Resin Night Lamp, where they assembled sixteen identical wood rods into a block, inserted fairy lights, and completed a resin pour. For my project, I made slight alterations to the construction method: instead of offsetting the wood rods like the original creator, I will be creating two identical blocks with flat surfaces. Additionally, instead of inserting fairy lights within the resin, I will be using four neopixels, a seeed xiao RP-2040 microcontroller, and a USB cord as the source of light. I decided to make this change because neopixels are naturally more accessible and multifaceted in terms of programming; their versatility allows for a more custom design. Therefore, I will also need to create an appropriate groove in the wood to keep the neopixels fixed. All other methods of design (acrylic boards, resin pour, clamping/sanding) are virtually the same.
Design Specification Considerations
Q: black A: red
What do you want your project to do?
My final project will involve a resin lamp with sixteen identical blocks of wood, C++/python programmed neopixel
Is the project for you personally, or is it part of something else?
The project is for my mother. I want to gift her this lamp as a late mothers day gift.
Will your project use Wifi?
N/A
How is your project powered?
The lamp will be powered through a USB cord and a chip (seeed Xiao RP-2040)
Does your project use a vinyl cutter?
N/A
Does your project use the laser cutter?
Yes, I will use it to create the tri-fold cardboard frame.
Does your project use a 3D printer?
Yes, a small case for the seeed was printed using the 3D printer. I did not directly design it, however.
Will your project be for inside or outside?
I plan to keep my project inside.
Does your project involve coding through a microcontroller?
Yes, the programming is through Arduino and C++, and the microcontroller is the (seeed Xiao RP-2040)
How much will you spend on this project?
All materials will be provided through the Fablab, so none.
What are your project inputs?
The project inputs will be a USB cable entering the seeed chip and into the neopixels.
What are your project outputs?
The project outputs involve the neopixels displaying through a series of colors through the lamp's resin.
What was the inspiration project?
The inspirational project was a resin lamp with fairy lights (also created using sixteen 8" wood pieces), made by a youtuber named MB Resin Arts.
When was the inspirational project constructed?
The inspirational project was constructed in 2020.
What changes were made from the inspirational project to your final project?
Instead of using fairy lights in the resin, I will be utilizing neopixels, a USB cord, and a seeed xiao rp-2040 chip. This will allow me to freely program the lights to change colors, for example. Furthermore, I will glue/sand the wood rods evenly, instead of offsetting them.
What are dimensions of your final project?
The final project will be approx. 3.75" x 2.25" x 9.25"
What materials will you use?
I will use cardboard, resin (parts A and B), 16 wood pieces, hot glue, clear tape, a seeed xiao RP2040 chip, frayed wires, and electrical tape.
Are all materials accessible through the Fablab?
Yes, they are all available.
What tools will you use in the Fablab?
I will be using the table saw, the planar, the drum sander, the woodworking jointer, the orbital sander, the laser cutter, the computer, and the soldering iron.
What applications did you use? Provide an explanation of each.
TinkerCad: TinkerCad is an online program allowing users to simulate and program circuits in block/text form, as well as create CAD files for 3D printing
CorelDraw: CorelDraw is a vector graphics editor allowing users to design sketches and create bitmaps. It is suitable for laser cutting and CNC designs.
What are the potential risks of your final project?
N/A
Initial Project Schematics
Here is the initial project schematic for my resin lamp, containing the main frame/resin, neopixel strip, wires, microcontroller, and USB cord -- all of which are organized by color (refer to the key). This schematic is not scale to size; the final will be 3.75" x 2.25" x 9.25"
Build Instructions
Materials/Tools/Applications
Tools:
Woodworking jointer
Drum sander
Planar
Table saw
Bandsaw
Router
Orbital Sander
Laser cutter
Wood clamps
Box knife
Hot glue gun
Soldering iron
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
Scraper
Chisels of varying sizes
Materials:
1 wood slab (to be cut into 16 pieces)
3 large strips of clear tape
1 seeed xiao RP-2040 microcontroller
1 USB cable
3 frayed wires, colored red, black, and yellow
1 neopixel strip, containing 4 neopixels
1 sheet of cardboard
150, 220, 320, 400 grit sandpaper
Wood glue
1 stick of hot glue
2 strips of masking tape
2 rubber bands
Protective gloves
1 pair of plastic gloves
1 electronic housing component (3D printed)
Applications:
CorelDraw
TinkerCad
Instructions:
Run a wood slab through a planar until it is level and smooth, adjusting the handle accordingly
Measure the board with a ruler and draw a straight line from the midpoint down to the bottom
Use the table saw along the line and cut the board in half
Set up appropriate measurements for the table saw and cut sixteen 8" wood chunks
Using Tinkercad and the Adafruit_NeoPixel library import, simulate a neopixel circuit
Import the code into ChatGPT and request any changes (changes to color, pattern, etc.)
Modify the defined pin to "D0"
a. #define PIN 2 >> #define PIN D0
Strip both ends of three frayed wires, colored red, black, and yellow
Place the red wire on the neopixel's 5V pad, black on GND, and yellow on DATA, and solder them
Build a basic circuit with the seeed xiao RP2040 chip, the soldered neopixels, a breadboard, 3 alligator clips (red, black, yellow), and male-to-male jumper wires (reference April 21 entry)
a. Red connects to the 5V power, black connects to GND, and yellow connects to D0
Import the modified code from ChatGPT and upload it to the chip, ensuring that the neopixels light up
Apply wood glue to the sides of four wood chunks and clamp them together
a. Ensure that the wood chunks are consistent when gluing (either all of the short sides are glued together, or all of the long sides)
b. Wipe off the excess wood glue with a paper towel
c. Let each component dry for at least 24 hours before removing the clamp
Repeat step 12 until four identical wood components are glued
Run the four wood components through the drum sander until the wood is smooth, adjusting the height handle by 1/4 of a turn
a. Sand down both sides of the wood
Glue the four wooden components together with wood glue to form the lamp block; clamp it once glued
Use the woodworking jointer on the sides of the lamp block to level out the uneven sides
Measure the length and width of the block in millimeters (height doesn't matter)
Run the block through the bandsaw and split it up into a 1:2 ratio (doesn't have to be precise)
Use the router to create a microcontroller and neopixel groove on the larger wood block - they should be on opposite sides (reference May 15 and May 17 entries)
Using the drill press, drill a hole connecting the neopixel and microcontroller groove
Feed the wires of the soldered neopixel through the hole
a. The neopixels should be on the side of the block with the neopixel groove
Plug the drilled hole with hot glue
Cut and strip one side of three male-to-male wires
Solder the ends of the neopixels to the male-to-male wires
Either apply hot glue to the soldered areas, or wrap them in electrical tape
a. This prevents direct contact between the wires
Solder the other end of the male-to-male wires to their appropriate pins on the seeed xiao RP 2040
Peel the backside of the neopixels and secure it onto the groove
Plug the circuit into a computer and ensure that the code works properly
Paint the neopixels and the wood blocks with a layer of clear resin (only in areas that will be exposed to resin)
a. Wait at least 24 hours before continuing
Design a trifold frame in CorelDraw, and change the thickness of the lines to hairline (reference May 15 entry)
a. The three sections of the frame consist of the following: shorter side in cm + 2 cm, longer side in cm, shorter side in cm + 2 cm
b. Color the separation lines in red (scoring)
On the Epilog application, import cardboard as the material
a. Define black as vector and red as scoring
Laser cut the tri-fold frame
On the side without the scoring, carefully apply strips of clear tape
a. Use a scraper to flatten the tape out and avoid air bubbles
Gently run a box knife along the scored lines until the cardboard can easily fold
Fold the frame so that the taped side is facing inwards
Place the two wood blocks on the frame, separated by 5 cm (reference May 22 entry)
a. Use rubber bands to support the frame
Generously apply hot glue to the areas between the wood and the frame to prevent leakage; apply a strip on the wood itself as well
Calculate the volume between the two wooden blocks (cm), and mix the same amount of resin
Optional: add a small spoonful of pigment into the resin; mix thoroughly
Pour the resin into the frame, and let it set for 24 hours
Use small and large chisels to remove the hot glue and the frame
a. Wear protective gloves during this step
Tape the seeed and wires down with masking tape; run the sides of the resin lamp through the jointer
Transitioning from coarse to fine grits, use the orbital sander on the sides/top of the lamp, applying minimal pressure
When the lamp is polished, apply mineral oil to all areas
Slide the seeed into an electronic housing component
Project Management
To manage the list of tasks I needed to complete for the resin lamp and the cutting board, I used a spreadsheet as well as a calendar to keep up with my day-to-day work. For certain portions of the project that were optional, I reserved a specific day on the signup sheet. Oftentimes, tasks were not completed according to plan, mainly due to new obstacles, such as the neopixels not working. However, despite these setbacks, I was able to meet the deadline, as I improved my time management and came in after school to supplement work I missed. Below contains the spreadsheet with all of the tasks:
Final Product
Front side view and upper view of the final resin lamp
IMG_4652.MOVVideo of the final resin lamp working
Problems Encountered and Solutions
After removing the cardboard frame from the resin, there was still sticky residue from a layer of resin that didn't set properly. To solve this issue, I used a heat gun and flat chisel to manually scrape the resin off. I then sanded the wood down through the jointer, removing the rest of the excess resin.
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