Sunday, November 27, 2011

E07: Progress Update

...


Progress Update

/start info

We're still looking for parts, but all we need is (1) basic input (more IR sensors) and (2) output (more servo motors). Were looking for motors capable of more than a 180 degree range (limited to 90 degree rotations from the default starting position).

Also, we've been laser-cutting all of our parts for our models up until now, but we're currently looking into 3D-printing hard plastic parts.


Parts Shopping:


Sparkfun: http://www.sparkfun.com/
(Prices aren't too bad but the selection is tailored to our needs.)


Mouser Electronics: http://www.mouser.com/
(Also, if you find a part number, these guys can be good.)


*Thanks & Credits to Cyrus for the shopping tips!

Hobby People: http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php/
A local shop that sells affordable servo motors


*Thanks to Calvin for the additional tip!


Model Photos:




Test Setup:



1) First IR sensor (bottom right) trips multi-rotation loop.
(green LED indicates the first sensor's rotation cycle)
2) Second IR sensor (bottom middle) zeros out rotation to default position.
(white hi-power LED indicates the second sensor's trip status)




Test Code:

#include <Servo.h> // import servo motor’s functions
Servo myservo; // create servo-object
void setup() {
pinMode(2, INPUT); // 2nd IR sensor
pinMode(6, OUTPUT); // hi-power LED
pinMode(3, INPUT); // switch throughput -- piggyback 1st IR sensor
pinMode(4, OUTPUT);// greed LED (set the digital pin 4 as an output)
myservo.attach(9); // assign pin 9 for servo motor
}
void loop() {
// using “if” function to check sensor's value
if(digitalRead(3)==HIGH) {
digitalWrite(4,HIGH);
myservo.write(50); // signal should be between 0-179 (+/- 175 max position) (93 is zero position)
delay(100);
digitalWrite(4,LOW);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(4,HIGH);
myservo.write(-150);
delay(300);
digitalWrite(4,LOW);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(4,HIGH);
myservo.write(175);
delay(200);
digitalWrite(4,LOW);
delay(1000);
}
if(digitalRead(2)==HIGH) {
digitalWrite(6,HIGH); // added
myservo.write(93);
delay(200); // added
digitalWrite(6,LOW); // added
}
}


/end info

Development Team:
CYBORGIAN iMITATION (499biomimic-gr.blogspot.com)

Team Blog:
Organic Automation (organic-automation.blogspot.com)

Monday, November 14, 2011

update on hexagonal grid





















this is an update to the hexagonal grid that will inform where are our openings are placed. the black poche indicates where the sensors for the individual motorized openings will be located, Currently we are working on an arduino sketch that allows us to connect one sensor to two motors, but delaying the function of the motors to "faux" predict the motion of a hand sweeping across the hexagonal modules.

Another prototype is in the works that will be of a smaller scale from the previous attempt and will have railings for both the piston head and the triangle panels to control the fluidity of opening closing and overall movement of the piston within the casing.

The above picture also indicates a preliminary diagram of how things are linked.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

E06: Project Prototype

...


Project Development

Work in progress...

/start info

Big Idea:

Skin system which responds to users -- changing opacity/transparency -- via IR, RFID or other input device. Possibility of communicating information to/from internet source (ie: Twitter updates).


Concept Sketch:



/end info

Development Team:
CYBORGIAN iMITATION (499biomimic-gr.blogspot.com)

Team Blog:
Organic Automation (organic-automation.blogspot.com)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

E05: Arduino Development

...


Arduino Guides and Projects

Time to translate this project into a working prototype, so we're looking into some books and projects to give us an idea of what we will be able to do.
/start info

Books:

30 Arduino Projects for the Evil Genius (McGraw Hill): description goes here.
http://www.amazon.com/30-Arduino-Projects-Evil-Genius/dp/007174133X/

Arduino Robotics (Apress): description goes here.
http://www.amazon.com/Arduino-Robotics-John-David-Warren/dp/1430231831/

Beginning Arduino (Apress): description goes here.
http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Arduino-Michael-McRoberts/dp/1430232404/

Beginning Arduino Programming (Apress): description goes here.
http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Arduino-Programming-Apress/dp/1430237775/

Practical Arduino: Cool Projects for Open Source Hardware (Apress): description goes here.
http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Arduino-Projects-Hardware-Technology/dp/1430224770/

Make: Arduino Bots and Gadgets (O'Reilly): description goes here.
http://www.amazon.com/Make-Embedded-Projects-Hardware-Discovery/dp/1449389716/

Make Projects: Getting Started with Arduino (O'Reilly): description goes here.
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Arduino-Make-Projects/dp/0596155514/


Projects/Ideas:

RFID Reader
Application: possibility of reading RFID chips on passers-by -- display a greeting or respond with specific info.
Parts: (1x) ID-12 RFID Reader, (1x) ID-12 Breakout Board, (1x) Current Limiting Resistor, (1x) 5mm LED, (4x+) 125KHz RFID tags or cards
Source: Beginning Arduino (Apress), Chapter 16

Communicating over Ethernet
Application: possibility of reading/writing to and/or from internet-based source -- Twitter updates from collected data, or interpretation of gathered data
Parts: (1x) Arduino Ethernet Shield, (2x) DS18B20 Temperature Sensors, (1x) 4.7K ohm Resistor

/end info

Development Team:
CYBORGIAN iMITATION (499biomimic-gr.blogspot.com)

Team Blog:
Organic Automation (organic-automation.blogspot.com)

Friday, October 14, 2011

E04: Birthday Update

...


Birthday Update

Today marks not only the birth of a new update, but the birth-day anniversary of ODDiTECTURE blogger KP.
So, what better way to celebrate a special event than by siting behind a warm computer and updating the blog with more useful info.

Anyway, for this special occasion we've decided to add a little more narrative to the blog to give it more of a human element -- so sit back, relax and enjoy the reading experience.

/start info

Looking further into the assignment, we begin to understand more clearly the intent of the previous excercises -- and class as a whole. Starting with (E01: Biomimetic Process) case studies on natural organisms & their functional processes (ie: growth/adaptation/reconfiguration/etc.), what their mechanisms are & how they are generatred -- moving on to (E02: Mechanical Motions and Kinetic Design) kinetic study models -- then (E03: Concept Development) on how we can utilize such knowledge to meet our own ends, as in architectural application.

The idea of Growth constantly popped up in work-sessions, but we thought it more appropriate to focus on Expansion and Movment as a means of understanding what we were really after. When working with robotics, it is difficult to justify the use of the term 'growth', as nothing really grows in/from mechanical-electronic structures -- rather, forms are 'built by' or aided in their construction process -- they are generated. This is the limit & bounds of robotics, alone -- and where one ends another begins or continues in combination to create a hybrid -- with the introduction of genetics, nanotechnology/bionanotechnology, the possibilities seem boundless.

As one publication suggests, "The title [The End of Robotics in Architecture (as we almost got to know it)] is not meant to suggest that we are wasting our time with current research in  architectural robotics but that possibilities in interactive architecture from the vantage point of a biological paradigm make the mechanical paradigm seem dated" -- (UbiComp 2009, Michael Fox).

Concept (new): Skin-Generating Petal-Feeder

Problem: Need for rule-based, motor-driven & electronically-controlled (Arduino) skin generator

Solution / Design Intent: Using a mechanical motor as a means for Generation, combined with a feeding mechanism that Moves the 'feed' or 'petals' (smaller components of a larger system or 'skin') to simulate Growth through the spreading out & Expansion of such connected 'petal' modules via a spitting, weaver mechanism.

'Win': Creation of an interesting skin, the design of which will be dictated by the energy output of the motor (by the centrifugal force that the motor creates) and manipulation of the weaver mechanism.

Notes to Self: Needs more work (much more work) -- Maybe a different direction (what seems to be, in essense, another pipe-bender could benefit from some more critical thought) -- Sketch is crappy (very crappy)

/end info
Concept Sketch:

Development Team:
CYBORGIAN iMITATION (499biomimic-gr.blogspot.com)

Team Blog:
Organic Automation (organic-automation.blogspot.com)

Monday, October 10, 2011

INTERESTS

Our names are Kryz Pyter and Gerardo Ramirez. We're starting this blog with interests in creating a dynamic experience through the medium of robotics inspired by the natural function of existing biological specimens. Our main interests in these systems are the creating of a layering system inspired by skin reproduction of snakes. As well as the intricacies of the components, function, and mechanics of receding mechanisms such as bird wings and pill bugs.

Prequels

http://499biomimic-gr.blogspot.com/