fabricademy2017:students:cheung:week_4_-_e-textiles_wearables_i [Textile Academy]

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--- fabricademy2017:students:cheung:week_4_-_e-textiles_wearables_i [2017/11/03 13:38]
wei-ying.cheung
+++ fabricademy2017:students:cheung:week_4_-_e-textiles_wearables_i [2018/06/21 11:14]
wei-ying.cheung
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 Additionally, we received an **introduction into arduino**. We used a **breadboard**  to connect an LED and pull up resistor into an electrical circuit. The arduino had to be connected to the computer via a USB cable in order to receive power for the circuit.
-{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:arduino_1.jpg?nolink&275x250|arduino_1.jpg}}
+{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:arduino_1.jpg?nolink&286x260|arduino_1.jpg}}
-We also gained an overview of using the downloadable arduino software to read values and program the arduino. For this, we created a 'pressure sensor' - which contained 2 layers of foil, and in between the 2 layers - a piece of semi conductive carbon material which creates varying pressure when pressed. This sensor needed to have protruding tabs on the foil so that the alligator clips could be connected:
+We also gained an overview of using the downloadable arduino software to read values and program the arduino. For this, we created a 'pressure sensor' - which contained 2 layers of foil, and in between the 2 layers - a piece of semi conductive carbon material which creates varying pressure when pressed. This sensor needed to have protruding tabs on the foil so that the alligator clips could be connected. We used the breadboard to connect together the pressure sensor, an LED. and a pull up resistor. We had to connect one wire from the pressure sensor to the analogue value A0 port in the arduino - this allowed us to read the values of the sensor using the program. We were also shown how we could program the arduino to make the LED blink at specific intervals - this involved using the 'blink' code in the program and sending the data to the arduino.
-{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:arduino_2.jpg?nolink&283x250|arduino_2.jpg}}
+{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:arduino_2.jpg?nolink&283x250|arduino_2.jpg}}{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:arduino_3.jpg?nolink&238x250|arduino_3.jpg}}
-We connected this together using the breadboard xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:arduino_3.jpg?nolink&239x250|arduino_3.jpg}}
 ===== Incorporating LEDs and buttons in fabric =====
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 {{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:choker_-_previous_circuit.jpg?nolink&314x260|choker_-_previous_circuit.jpg}}{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:choker_-_stitch_for_machine.jpg?nolink&356x260|choker_-_stitch_for_machine.jpg}}{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:choker_2.jpg?nolink&339x260|choker_2.jpg}}
-Once the embroidery was done, I completed the choker by hand
+Once the embroidery was done, I completed the choker by hand. This involved:
+  * Measuring the material around my neck and cutting the strip suitable for my size.
+  * Fixing in the LEDs by piercing them through the material - the positive leg (longer leg) to the positive thread and negative leg to the negative thread.
+  * Sewing extensions from the embroidered section towards the battery using conductive thread.
+  * Creating a 'pocket' for the battery and sewing the positive section on top and the negative section behind.
+  * Sewing the metal popper buttons with conductive thread - one part of the button at one end connecting to the positive thread, and the other part of the button at the other end connecting the negative thread.
 {{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:choker_3.jpg?nolink&296x260|choker_3.jpg}}
+I followed my drawing above and when I came to sewing the metal popper buttons, I realised there was a mistake in my circuit. My intention was to create the connection only when the buttons were connected, however, in my original drawing, the parallel circuit is flowing regardless of whether the buttons are connected or not. The button was not disrupting the circuit at all. Therefore, I had to think of a way to achieve what I wanted. I thought about putting the button in the design, between the traces and the battery, but I thought this would look messy. Finally, I figured out that I could sew a button touching the back of the battery - which would be the negative button, and which would only become connected when the other button from the other side (which was connected to the negative threads) and complete the circuit. The positive thread would be connected to the front of the battery, as expected. This diagram illustrates this:
+{{:fabricademy2017:students:cheung:e_textiles:choker_-_amended_circuit.jpg?nolink&401x300|choker_-_amended_circuit.jpg}}
 //**Problems**  //
-As well as the problem about the incorrect circuit, the first use of the embroidery machine created the image smaller than expected. I realised this was due to the fact that I needed to select the correct canvas size on the machine itself, as well as in the PE Design program. Therefore, once I selected the corrected size, the machine produced the expected result.
+An impact of the problem mentioned above was that I had to undo some of my sewing and place the battery in a different place. I also needed more space on the choker to do what I needed, but as I had already cut the choker to size, I had to sew an extra piece onto the choker to fit my amended design.
+The first use of the embroidery machine created the image smaller than expected. I realised this was due to the fact that I needed to select the correct canvas size on the machine itself, as well as in the PE Design program. Therefore, once I selected the corrected size, the machine produced the expected result.
+//**Final thoughts**  //
+It was very pleasing to produce a circuit integrated in material that worked. I found some concepts difficult to understand, especially with the arduino and programming. This shows me that I need more practice with the arduino.