**PLACE**: Onl'Fait, Geneva\\ **DATE**: 07/01\\ **PEOPLE**: Cristina

STEP 1

**OBJECTIVE** I built a fabric loud speaker. **MATERIAL** * earplugs * USB cable * 2 crocodile clips * conductive fabric and thread * mini amplifier breakout board 2 x 3W Class D PAM8403 * 3 small neodymium magnets * a spiral made out of Sheldex Kassel **CREDITS** Wemake Milano for building the spiral Kobakant for the[[http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=5935|idea]]

STEP 2

The spiral was made using conductive fabric lasercut and fused to normal fabric. I completed the speaker by sewing conductive thread and conductive fabric connectors. {{ :students:img_20180107_185212.jpg?nolink&300x356 |img_20180107_185212.jpg}}{{ :students:img_20180107_185221.jpg?nolink&300x384 |img_20180107_185221.jpg}} The other option was to use a speaker with thick copper embroidery thread. However it was probably covered by a patina as it wasn't conductive anymore. I plan to look into it for the next speaker model. {{ :students:img_20180107_204546.jpg?nolink&300x262 |img_20180107_204546.jpg}}

STEP 3

**PROCEDURE** * I cut, stripped and soldered a USB cable to the alimentation of the mini amplifier * I cut, stripped and soldered 2 crocodiles wires to the left output (+ and -) of the mini amplifier * I cut, stripped and soldered earplugs (1 cable) to the left input and mass of the mini amplifier **ISSUES & NOTES** * I used a USB cable because the mini amplifier requires 5 V. * It would be interesting to have a stereo amplifier by building a second electromagnet * It took some time to make the correct connections with the earplugs internal wires because they are insulated. I had to quickly burn them to strip the cover and leave only the metallic wires. To find the mass, I used a multimeter {{ :students:img_20180107_185246.jpg?nolink&300x287 |img_20180107_185246.jpg}}{{ :students:img_20180107_185317.jpg?nolink&300x236 |img_20180107_185317.jpg}} {{ :students:img_20180107_185413.jpg?nolink&300x350 |img_20180107_185413.jpg}} {{ :students:img_20180107_185352.jpg?nolink&300x255 |img_20180107_185352.jpg}}

STEP 4

**RESULT** The speaker worked pretty well when a magnet approached the spiral (here the [[https://youtu.be/1MW9m_AvJ6M|video]]). It worked better if the tissue was hanged vertically and could vibrate more freely.