The Winter Show

Posted on December 20, 2011 by admin

The Winter Show was incredible (so tired), my only problem, I didn’t get to see any of the other projects. My piece demoed pretty well. On the second day I blew a solenoid with an hour to go, other than that, not too many hiccups.

Kids seemed to really like the piece, and I got a lot of comments on how “musical” it is. If it’s an instrument, it has five of the same notes. Had some comments about adding lights or tones. Adding something to the ends of the pendulums, maybe flags, knives, or fire. Don’t know if that will happen, but I’d like to see the piece be a little bigger.

The setup for the show:

Kinetic Sculpture 5

Posted on December 7, 2011 by admin

Today is the big day, the pendulums are all firing, the sensors are all operating. Things are looking good.

5 Pendulums

Posted on December 5, 2011 by admin

Got the pendulums built, circuit built, and code coded (thank you Justin). Got 5 pendulums working with the photo cells. A lot of bugs to work out and fine tuning still, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Video

Continue reading →

Machining Your Own Parts

Posted on December 2, 2011 by admin

Close up of the solenoid and magnet assembly for the kinetic sculpture.

Continue reading →

Pendulum Prototypes

Posted on December 2, 2011 by admin

Working on the fourth pendulum prototype and it’s getting very close. Seems a bit ridiculous to keep prototyping this design, but I’m learning more and more with each one. The latest can fire 3 pendulums at a time. Next stop: 5.

Continue reading →

Initial Pendulum Design

Posted on November 30, 2011 by admin

Got one working, now I just need to make four work.

Continue reading →

Basic Solenoid Code

Posted on November 23, 2011 by admin

Got a very simple sketch going that when button 1 is pushed, solenoid A is fired, when button 1 is pushed again, solenoid B is fired.

Continue reading →

PComp Final – Parts arrived

Posted on November 20, 2011 by admin

Got the first round of McMaster parts. And as is usually the case, didn’t get the right ones. I can make do with it for now.

Initially, going with two types of pendulum designs.

Continue reading →

Kinetic Sculpture – PComp Final

Posted on November 16, 2011 by admin

Elevator Pitch – A six pendulum kinetic sculpture that can be “played” by the user.

Longer Description
The sculpture will be roughly 4 to 5 feet long, 20 to 30 inches wide, and roughly 3 feet high. A series of pendulums will be fired from one point to another via solenoids and magnets. A user will be able to control/play the pendulums by waving their hands over light sensors. The sculpture’s movement is designed to be both enjoyable to watch and addictive to use. There will be an audio component, the releasing and catching of the pendulums will create a mechanical clicking sound. A series of clicks can be created when all 5 pendulums are moving.

The sculpture will be composed primarily of fine wood and stainless steel. The electrical components (solenoids, magnets, arduino, power supply, etc.) will be hidden from sight.

First Test Run

Very rough 1st prototype