Designed as an intro activity for the rotation of multiple smaller groups of students through different tool stations, this example project demonstrates the use of 5 different tools and techniques commonly used and in a fabrication lab. The circuit on the bracelet is very basic and can be used as continuity indicator. When worn, the leads of the bracelet snap together to close the circuit so that the LED light is on. When the bracelet is open, it’s leads can be used to probe different materials and the LED light will light up brighter the more conductive the material – demonstrating Ohm’s law.
The LED Bracelet is a very simple circuit (LED, power), but uses various materials and tools to make it’s different physical elements.
This example is still in progress, and if you have ideas for how to make it better, please comment bellow!
Basic circuit and Ohm’s law:
Step-by-Step
Ideally the steps in this process can be done in any order (with some slight differences) and at the end of going through all the tool stations, each students has a finished LED bracelet.
Flickr set >> https://www.flickr.com/photos/plusea/albums/72157662379874516
Materials & Tools
Materials:
– LED light
– coin-cell battery
– conductive thread
– conductive fabric with fusible interfacing
– copper tape
– kapton film
– 3D print filament
– thread
– metal snaps
The 5 tools/Techniques:
1) Vinylcut kapton base and copper tape circuit
2) Lasercut felt bracelet and conductive fabric with fusible interfacing (engrave name or pattern)
3) 3D Print a LED cap light diffuser
4) Solder LED and resistor to copper tape
5) Sew flex pcb to felt bracelet and attach metal snaps
Vinylcutting
A vinyl cutter (or vinyl plotter) is a computer controlled plotting device with a blade instead of a pen. A vector based design is created in a software program (usually Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw or Inkscape) and then sent to the cutter where it cuts along the vector paths laid out in the design. The cutter is capable of moving the blade on an X and Y axis over the material, cutting it into any shape imaginable. (taken from >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_cutter)
Some examples of vinylcut circuits:
>> http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=1132
>> http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=5371
Lasercutting
Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. The focused laser beam is directed at the material, which then either melts, burns, vaporizes away, or is blown away by a jet of gas, leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish. Industrial laser cutters are used to cut flat-sheet material as well as structural and piping materials. (taken from >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_cutting)
3D Printing
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), refers to various processes used to synthesize a three-dimensional object. In 3D printing, successive layers of material are formed under computer control to create an object. These objects can be of almost any shape or geometry, and are produced from a 3D model or other electronic data source. A 3D printer is a type of industrial robot. (taken from >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing)
>> https://tinkertolearn.wordpress.com/2015/03/31/3d-model-sewable-coin-cell-holder/
Soldering
Soldering, is a process in which two or more items (usually metal) are joined together by melting and putting a filler metal (solder) into the joint, the filler metal having a lower melting point than the adjoining metal. Soldering differs from welding in that soldering does not involve melting the work pieces. (taken from >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering)
Soldering is easy >> http://eburn.scripts.mit.edu/pened/lib/exe/fetch.php/background/how.to.guides/how_to_solder.jpg?w=400
Sewing
Sewing is the craft of fastening or attaching objects using stitches made with a needle and thread. Sewing is one of the oldest of the textile arts, arising in the Paleolithic era. For thousands of years, all sewing was done by hand. The invention of the sewing machine in the 19th century and the rise of computerization in the later 20th century led to mass production and export of sewn objects, but hand sewing is still practiced around the world. Fine hand sewing is a characteristic of high-quality tailoring, haute couture fashion, and custom dressmaking, and is pursued by both textile artists and hobbyists as a means of creative expression. (taken from >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewing)
Basic stitches >> http://myfotm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2f7cf27e287fe92.gif
How to sew >> http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Sew./
Final Assembly
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