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Hello Post
One area of strength I have in designing is that I become very passionate about my projects, so I will always do whatever it takes to finish the things I make on time. One area I think I can work on is being more independent. If something doesn't work the first time I tend to just give up and ask for help immediatlety. I want to get better at persisting through challenges by myself.
Three things I want to commit to in the documentation of my learning and projects...
I will take my photos in good lighting and with no distraciting backgrounds.
I will keep my site up to date and in an easy to follow chronological order.
I will expand beyond surface level explinations in my descriptions.
ORIGINAL SKETCHES FOR PARTNER PCB DESIGN
After looking at all of our designs we decided on number 1 of Ronans, the palm tree. We chose this because it reminds us of the summer time and seems like a challenge.
Schematics and Circuit Board
For this project, I worked with Ronan and we decided to build a palm tree that is the color green! Something I will remember after designing this is to make sure none of the components are overlapping or touching each other and to double check by going to 3D mode.
10 ideas for my speaker
Post-it Feedback
The most significant thing I took away from this feedback was that people liked the UFO idea more because it was more creative and I could add more to it, unlike the basketball hoop.
Better Design Drawing
I believe this is an excellent design because it is creative and I love the aspect of the sphere on top. By choosing this project I am challenging my current skill set by making some abstract shapes on rhino which I am not very good at using. I also will have to figure out a way to make it look realistic.
80% of Design
New Rhino Design
This is my rhino file I used tho create my final amplifier (the wooden box with the magnet top).
I decided to switch up my project to be more like a robot type design. I think this will be cooler and feel more confident in making it. I am pretty close to finishing now and just need to add the speaker holes.
Amp circuit on the breadboard
Is there something about the circuit you understand now that you've spent time prototyping it?
After prototyping, I understand better how resistors control the flow of electric current in the circuit. I was suprised by how many resisters were needed, and it was hard adding all of them on the breadboard since they were very close together.
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 part I was confused about was the small three-legged black component next to the volume control thing. I looked it up and learned it was most likely a transistor that acts like a tiny electronic switch or amplifier -- it can control a large current using a smaller one.
PCB Design
I worked with Lev on this design. The coolest things I learned were how to make sense of what the all the connecting lines meant as well as adding text to the board.
Unsoldered PCB Circuit Board
Cardboard prototype (black dots on the top symbolize the magneets I put on under)
Reflection:
My idea is to create a wooden rectangle speaker with a top that has magnets connected to it so it's removable. I learned from my prototype that all my pieces are the correct size and will fit together so my model doesn't need any modifications!
Soldered PCB Board
For this project, our original idea was to make a palm tree and we went through with it! I got to work with Ronan for this project and I think the product turned out very well.
Enclosure Build Process
So far, I have laser cut or used the bandsaw to cut out all of my pieces exept for the bottom and top sides. Once I cut out the last two pieces I will then use yellow glue as well as the staple gun to put all my pieces together!
Soldered Amplifier Circuit
Final Amplifier Documentation
Reflection:
My main goal for this amplifier was to create something small and simple that wouldn't stand out a lot in my bedroom.
I made a rectangular wooden box with two speakers are the front, and a magnetic top.
The thing I am most satisfied with this semester is that I actually completed my project and it works! This semester had many ups and downs and I am bummed that I didn't get to create what I originally wanted to, but I am glad I still finished something in the end.
If I were to start over, I would definitely plan out my project better. I really believe I could've made my first design, but I just didn't think it through enough and had poor time management.
The biggest thing I learned this semmester that will stick with me 2 years from now is how to solder and how not to get very frustrated when somehting doesn't work the first time.
Although I completed this project, one thing that held me back from completing my first idea was the amount of classes I had to skip due to extracurriculars and not having a strong thought-out plan.
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