Microchallenge 2

Our group is formed of three members: George, Kai and Ruben. We have already formed previous alliances as duos given our underlying interests in biomaterials mainly, but also toys and electronics. We have decided to use this collaboration to create yet another artifact in our toy collection, and we ended up deciding on making a zoetrope, but giving it a more custom/DIY approach.

figure 1: Mindmap of common interests.

Purpose

Our zoetrope, is supposed to present 12-frame animations using a strobe light and a rotating disk where the singular “frames” of animation can be attached. From a toy mindset, the zoetrope could also serve as a puzzle that requires the player to find the correct order of the singular pieces in order to make the animation continuous.

Personally I would utilise the second Fab microchallenge for proceedings in my electronic (design) skills that will be necessary for the next steps within Lemna. Aside from this specific aim, I like to explore the context of toys as unframed area in which art and design slide on top of each other, and free prototyping is welcomed.

Planning

We had a more or less clear way to execute the artifact, taking into considerations the different steps of the process that would need to be assembled eventually.

My role in the process was to take on the design and execution of the electronics, first steps in the CAD design of the housing and realizing a functioning circular movement of the zoetrope.

figure 2: SLA printing in process with the models moving in and out of the resin bath.

First day was dedicated to identify the concept and start sketching out our animation frames.
Second day is dedicated to start working with the mechanisms (motor, strobe light, rotating disk, holes and joints). Also, finalizing the animation frames.
Third day is to finalize the mechanisms and test out the rotation of the disk and how it works with out circuit, and to finalize the execution of the animation frames.
Fourth day is for tuning, synchronizing the artifact, and documenting.

Process

figure 3: Electronic development starting with potentiometer + LED towards an assembly of DC-motor, relays and flashing LED .

figure 4: The eventual circuitry of the Zoetrope.

Results

figure 5: The Zoetrope displaying the strobing light on figurines and rotating disk.

Learnings

Electronic design for toys
Version control of IDE sketches
Extended circuitry visualization
Speed-light interaction
Working with high-paced intervals in Arduino IDE
Bearing assembly, sturdiness and balancing

Repository

We created a repo of the microchallenge that shows more of our process.