Laser cut parts to prototype a box for figuring out dimensions
Test COB strip light with arduino
Figure out the “wheel” part for time compressed process box
Figure out Interface remediation box
Figure out dimensions for user control box
What I did this week
I rewrote the introduction with the new structure.
I accidentally missed my supervisor meeting this week.
I laser cut some of the parts. I didn’t get to finish cutting the light blocker parts for the spatial organisation box.
I tested the COB strip lights they work perfectly.
However, the minimum strip size is 5cm so I need to resize my lights so that they’re divisible by 5.
In my initial drawing I drew wheels for the time compressed processes. However these were just placeholders while I considered what should help represent time compressed processes. The wheels don’t work as they don’t really have any relation to time, processes or compression. It would also be difficult to see the differences in speed when they’re spinning, also not very visually interesting in comparison to the other boxes. Because the time compression part is being represented by the servos spinning at quick and slow the “wheels” need to represent the process part.
I’m using the visuals of windows pill shaped buttons, and sliders from GUI perhaps I can use a loading circle. Maybe using something similar to the double wheel mechanism used in paper mechanisms. The only thing is it’s quite flat and loading circles are for when computers are conducting a process it doesn’t include the processes that the user does.
I had a thought maybe a hamster wheel. They’re immediately recognisable, they spin and most importantly would clearly represent an organism doing a process. I could get different sizes to represent the different lengths of processes. I can get them in clear plastic and use glass paint to keep them transparent and unify them as I’ll need to get different brands in order for them to be different sizes. Perhaps I can put a ping pong ball inside them to help show the differences in speed.
Tracing paper test for light diffusion
I made a box to test the COB lights with different acrylics and frosted material to diffuse light
I made a blender model to figure out the dimensions for the user control box. I’ve figured out this will be the deepest box so the depth of the boxes should be 5.5cm.
I used illustrator to figure out the spacing on the front panel. I would ideally like more sliders and buttons but they wouldn’t fit.
user control: Gears and racks to test
user control: light for trackpad test
Interface remediation: testing circuit for addressable LED strip
I got some addressable LEDs to make a matrix for the interface remediation as I couldn’t find a big enough screen that was also square. I was having some issues with powering it until I realised the addressable LEDs I got don’t have capacitors built in so I’ll have to add it to the circuit.
I emailed a charity who are willing to help with the project.
Consult technician for physical computing elements
No supervisor meeting this week cause of bank holiday
What I did this week
I made a 3D model of the spatial organisation box to figure out the dimensions needed.
Technician Meeting Notes
I had a meeting with Zeyu the physical computing technician. We went through each part of the sculpture and the circuitry.
Spatial Organisation
Strip of LEDs use tracing paper to stop the spotting light effect
Strip board
Multi core wire
Switch
MOSFET
Plug into the wall
User control
Linear actuator
Integrated chip
Circuit for linear solenoids for self pushing buttons
Interface remediation
HDMI connection for screen
Raspberry pi
I had the formative presentation which didn’t go too well. This is the feedback from it.
You can start explaining what your project is about. What do you mean the capacity of the computer – do you mean in terms of power?or metaphorically? – Please do not forget the citations. – How does it highlight how modern GUIS quietly shape – makes invisible structures – Gantt chart a bit more detailed with dates. – Be more focused on the connection interaction HCI
It did make me realise that I was focusing too much on how I got to the project not the project itself in my thesis. I also got worried I wouldn’t be able to do the sculpture I planned out as the circuits weren’t working. But after the presentation I went to the physical computing lab and managed to get integrated chip and linear actuator working.
circuit for linear actuator
I’ve learnt that a linear actuator can’t move at a certain distance at different speeds. So, I’ll need to use a stepper servo with a rack and pinion.
user control: circuit for solenoids
time compressed processes: servo circuit
rack and pinion
I couldn’t move the pinion with the lever but I assume that this is due to friction caused by the wood and cardboard.
Zeyu mentioned COB LEDs, on the day we could only find small panels. But I found strips so I’ll use these for the lights in the spatial organisation part.
Over the weekend I made a new structure for my introduction.
I inquired about cutting the pieces for the hardware part of the sculpture but it was too expensive £300-400. But I had an idea there’s a few charities that refurbish laptops. So, I’m going to contact them and ask if I can if they can spare any broken circuit boards that can’t be refurbished. Instead of using metal use circuit boards. I think this might be better as it makes it clearer that that part of the sculpture is all about computer hardware.
