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Objectives
Understand and apply the engineering design process in real world applications.
Understand the history of technology and its implications for society and the environment.
Understand the career opportunities available within the design fields and understand the education requirements for these careers.
Develop proficiency in the use of design tools and materials by working safely, intelligently, and efficiently.
Successfully communicate ideas visually, orally, and through written communication.
Begin to use their design skillset in ways that benefit others.
Create effective and dimensionally correct 3D CAD Models.
Creatively solve a given problem in a visually pleasing manner through the use of a combination of art, math, science and technology.
Learn how to learn: become true research and development experts.
Make decisions based on data and justify their decisions in writing citing data that they collected.
Create technical sketches of their designs to effectively communicate visually.
Utilize the design process to develop a solution to problems that are within a set of constraints.
Pinball Brainstorming Field Trip
To get a good start on my year-long pinball machine project, I took a field trip to a pinball arcade to take a look at different pinball machines and get familiar with the constraints of it. I took videos of different components of some of my favorite pinball machines and their components to gain an understanding of what was required for my pinball machine.
20240828_104218.mp4This a video of a pinball launcher. This component on the pinball machine consists of some kind of rod or stick attached to the machine that can be pulled back using springs.
20240828_103841.mp4This is a video of the pinball layout, including the ball return. In this component, once the ball is shot, it returns back to the launcher.
20240828_104646.mp4This is a video that shows the full machine with all of the components. It has a lot of lighting along each path.
20240828_104712.mp4At the arcade, I chose this machine as my favorite machine because I felt all of its components worked the best and the theme was nice.
20240828_104734.mp4This is a video of the scoreboard. This component includes a score keeper along with a ball count to keep track of the game.
20240828_104824.mp4This is a video of the flippers; these are the components that are controlled by the player to hit targets and keep the ball in the game.
20240828_104853.mp4This is a video of the bumpers along with a target, the bumpers component bounces the ball back up into the game and the target allows for the player to achieve points.
20240828_104946.mp4This is a final video of the ball return. This video shows the ball being launched and returning to the launcher.
Launcher
My Movie 8.MOVHow it was made:
The launcher was made using a wooden stick, laser-cut wood pieces, and springs. I simply assembled these components together and drilled a hole through the base board to ensure proper alignment and secure the pieces in place.
Coding Logic:
No coding was used for the launcher; it operates purely through mechanical components.
Function:
The function of the launcher is to launch the pinball onto the gameboard, allowing the game to begin.
My Movie 9.MOVBumpers
My Movie 7.MOVMy Movie 10.MOVMy Movie 19.MOVMy Movie.MOVHow it was made:
The bumpers were made using solenoids, laser-cut wood pieces, screws, relays, and other materials. To construct the bumpers, I 3D printed a cone-shaped object and attached copper tape to it. A solenoid was mounted on the backside, and I wired the copper tape to make it conductive. Once the pinball touches both pieces of copper tape, the solenoid is triggered to push the ball back, bouncing it into the game.
Coding Logic:
The coding logic for the bumpers involves controlling the solenoid and detecting the copper tape’s input. I programmed the solenoid to activate when the pinball simultaneously makes contact with both the GND and GP copper tape, causing the solenoid to push the ball back.
Function:
The function of the bumpers in the pinball machine is to bounce the ball back onto the gameboard while also enabling players to score points.
Targets
How it was made:
The targets were created using a switch available in class. I designed a housing for the switch using laser-cut wood pieces and assembled them with finger joints. The top of the target was also laser-cut, and I made it long enough to pass through the board. When the target is pushed back, it activates the switch.
Coding Logic:
The coding logic for the target is designed to increase the score when the switch is pressed down by the target body, signaling a successful interaction.
Function:
The function of the target is to be pushed back by the ball, allowing the player to score points.
My Movie 11.MOVMy Movie 6.MOVFlippers
My Movie 20.MOVMy Movie 1.MOVHow it was made:
The flippers were made using the same approach as the bumpers, utilizing a solenoid and a relay. After wiring the relay, I created the flipper shapes using the laser cutter. I then positioned the solenoids next to the flippers, so they could push the flippers outward. The flipper pieces are mounted on both sides of the board with a wooden rod for support and movement.
Coding Logic:
To code the flippers, I initialized the solenoids and mapped them to a button input. I programmed the solenoids to activate when the buttons on the sides of the pinball machine are pressed, causing the flippers to move.
Function:
The function of the flippers is to push the ball back into the game. Controlled by the player, the flippers allow for precise direction of the pinball, giving the player control over where the ball goes during gameplay.
My Movie 18.MOVMy Movie 21.MOVServo Component
How it was made:
The servo component was created using a servo motor and a laser-cut wood piece, which I painted for added aesthetics. I positioned them on different sides of the board to ensure smooth rotation during gameplay.
Coding Logic:
The coding logic for the servo component was straightforward, involving programming the servo to move the wooden piece in a controlled manner.
Function:
The function of the servo component is to enhance the theme of the gameboard and help get the pinball moving, adding dynamic action to the game.
My Movie 12.MOVMy Movie 5.MOVScoreboard
How it was made:
The scoreboard was created using an LCD screen and a laser-cut wood piece for the housing. It was programmed to display the game’s progress, including the score and ball count.
Coding Logic:
The coding logic for the scoreboard involved initializing the LCD and programming it to display text. I also used if/else statements to ensure that the LCD correctly presented both the score and the ball count during the game.
Function:
The function of the scoreboard is to track and display the player's score and ball count. It serves as a key component of the game, keeping the player informed about their progress throughout the game.
My Movie 13.MOVMy Movie 4.MOVLED Lights
How it was made:
The LEDs were set up by wiring Neo Pixels to the gameboard and securing them in place using tape, ensuring they fit into the pre-cut holes on the board.
Coding Logic:
The coding logic for the LEDs was designed to control their activation. I programmed the LEDs to light up in response to specific components on the gameboard. The LEDs are triggered when the flippers' buttons are pressed and when the target is activated.
Function:
The function of the LEDs is to enhance the aesthetics of the gameboard by adding dynamic lighting effects, contributing to the overall visual experience of the game.
My Movie 14.MOVMy Movie 3.MOVOverall Board Design
How it was made:
The overall board design was created using CAD software called Onshape, allowing for precise planning and layout of the gameboard components.
Function:
The function of this design is to act as a blueprint, providing a reference for the placement and organization of all the elements on the gameboard.
Game Play
My Movie 15.MOVReflection
This project has definitely been the most challenging one I’ve worked on so far. It gave me a lot of creative freedom, which was both exciting and a little overwhelming at times. I had to think about all the different parts of the game and how they would work together, which taught me a lot about problem-solving and planning. Throughout the process, I learned a lot about craftsmanship, especially with making the flippers and other parts, and coding. I feel like I really improved my skills in both areas. The coding part was especially tough because I had to make sure everything worked in sync, but it was also really rewarding when it all came together. What I’m most proud of is the flippers. I put a lot of time and effort into making sure they worked well, and after all that hard work, they turned out great. It feels amazing to see something I’ve worked on for so long finally come together, and I can really see how much I’ve learned from this project.
Oral Presentation Video
My Movie 22.MOVNavigate
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