I think my best strength in terms of design is my ability to quickly adjust from mistakes, as. I had plenty of them in previous Tech Arts classes. Similarly, my biggest area for growth is probably spending more time planning in the initial design phase, so that I don't have as many mistakes.
The three things I want to focus on the most this semester are
Taking clear, well shot photos of my projects
Making sure to plan out my designs using CAD and cardboard
Relying on the resources around me to make a better final project.
6 PCB Designs .
For our designs, Gabe and I decided upon a poke-ball inspired design, with a circular frame and a ring of lights on the interior, which, with the aid of a circuit, will hopefully light up in the same pattern as the source material.
Shaped PCB
I worked on this project with Gabe, where we both learned a lot about the contrsutction of circuts and how to best organize them. One thing I plan on taking with me to future projects is the importance of planning out your steps before you begin, as it'll save time in the long run
10 Speaker Ideations
Post-It Feedback
I really appreciated the notes my classmates gave me on my first few speaker ideations. I found their comments most often highlighted the practicality of a spherical speaker, something that I may not have fully considered in my enthusiasm to get it done. That being said, I'll think of ways to make a speaker more usuable in day to day life, in the form of a 3D printed stand.
Phase 2 Speaker Drawing
3d Design
Right now, my design has stayed consistent, where I'm continuing to press forward with the idea of a spherical speaker, that has the ability to roll, while also being mounted on a fixed stand. I'm still working out if I'd like the speaker to be wired or battery based.
Amp PCB design and schematic
Here, I worked with Prin and Nikaash, to create our pcb schematic. This process was very interesting for me, and one thing that I learned about the board is that it's important to save your work and check your progess periodically !!
Now that I've prototyped the circuit, the flow of electricity is making more sense to me.
A capacitor stores electrical energy in an electric field between two conductive plates separated by an insulating material (dielectric)
Unsoldered Circuit Board
Cardboard Prototype
My idea is a smooth sphere, with a flush hole for the speaker, and otherwise completely minimal. This is not my actual cardboard cut out, as I lost it, but this is a quick artists rendition of the old one.
I learned that this is a pretty simple design out of carboard, but I know that it'l be more complex with desigining it with 3D modeling
I dont know yet if it needs modifications.
Finished Shaped PCB
The original idea was to make a pokeball inspired design
Gabe and I worked together to bring this idea to life
I'm not super pleased with the final product, and I think it would've bennefited from a multi colored board, of red and white hemispheres.
Final Documentation
I made a ball speaker, that sits flush to itself.
I'm most satisfied with the shaped circuit board, as the sodering process was super fun and relaxing to me
I would definitely spend more time planning, especially with 3D printing.
I learned a lot about documentation, and that showing people your work is really important.
I think planning held me back a lot, as I could've spent more time thinking about how my parts would exist in relation to eachother.