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Hello Post
One strength I have in design and engineering is coding. I have had a little bit of experience in the past, so I think it is an area I am most confident in. One area for growth I have is creating/building circuits. I struggled with this during freshman year, and I think I have a lot of room to grow and learn.
One thing I want to commit to in my documentation is keeping it organized. Two other things I want to commit to are taking good photos of my progress and challenging myself creatively.
Collaborative Shaped PCB
9/3/25
We chose the flower (very left image) because we liked the way it looked and thought it was simple yet challenging enough. We thought the different LED colors would blend nicely with the different petals.
PCB Board
Emi and I created a flower with an LED on each of the 6 petals. Something I will remember about printed circuit board designs is cutting the Rhino design into layers in order to import it into Fusion.
Ideation For Amplifier
Post It Feedback
A lot of the feedback I got said to make the old-fashioned radio. The feedback also said to make it out of laser-cut wood in order to keep an antique aesthetic. However, I think I want to try redesigning my double-speaker idea. I feel like it could be a lot more unique and more challenging.
More Detailed Design for Amplifier
Why do you believe this is an excellent design to design and build?
I think it has a very unique shape, and it would fit the aesthetic of my living room.
How are you challenging your current skill set?
I am not very confident in my rhino skills, and the whole shell of my speaker is going to be 3d printed.
Rhino Design
Dual Speakers with a spherical design.
Cardboard Prototype
My idea for my speakers is spheres with magnetic tops and wooden bases. The spheres are going to be fully 3d printed so it was not possible for me to make a carboard version of it. Instead I printed out the front half to see what it would look like. The small cube is the base for the speaker and the box to the side will contain my digital project, the battery, and all the circuits for the bluetooth and sound.
Something I need to modify is the top portion of the sphere. I need holes in sides of it to add magnetics so it doesn't just slide off. I also need to adjust the base so I can laser cut the wood.
Finished Breadboard
Is there something about the circuit you understand now that you've spent time prototyping it?
After working on the prototype, I’ve developed a clearer understanding of how the integrated circuit can influence the overall sound performance.
Name one part that is a complete mystery to you. Look it up on Google or Generative AI. What does it say the function of that part is?
One component that still confuses me is the Bluetooth circuit. I wasn’t entirely sure how it communicated with the rest of the system or how it transmitted audio signals. After looking it up, I learned that the Bluetooth circuit allows wireless communication by sending and receiving data using radio waves.
Amp PCB Design and Schematic
I worked with Ronan to design the amplifier PCB. While working on this, I learned how to route wires on Fusion and get my own custom text on the board.
Finished and Unfinished Board
Shaped PCB Board
What was the original idea
A Flower with the LEDs on the petals.
Who did you work with
Emi
Are you happy with the product?
I am happy with how it turned out; however, one of the LEDs died right when I finished soldering, and now one of the petals no longer glows.
Enclosure Progress
A description of where you are with the building of your project
I am almost finished with my enclosure for my project. I have finished both spheres that hold the speakers.
What do you still need to do?
All I have left is creating the center box that holds the battery, circuit, and digital project.
Final Project
What did you make? - turn on for 5 sec
Two 3d printed orbs with a center console
Thinking about the work you created, what are you most satisfied with this semester?
I am most satisfied with my enclosure for the speakers. The files printed without any issues, and I was able to assemble very early on in the building process.
If you were to start over, knowing what you know, what would you do differently?
I would change the design of the center console. It didn't laser cut correctly, and I ended up having to glue it all together instead of them fitting together like puzzle pieces.
What did you learn this semester that will likely still be with you 2 years from now?
I learned how to use the 3d printing software and how to use supports in a print to make it stable.
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