Difference between revisions of "Space Cadet Desk"

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and old Star Trek, we made a Retro-Future Desk (Peter calls it the
 
and old Star Trek, we made a Retro-Future Desk (Peter calls it the
 
Space Cadet Desk, but I have standards) It has lots of blinking lights
 
Space Cadet Desk, but I have standards) It has lots of blinking lights
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and buttons to push and a psuedo-theremin using an IR distance sensor.
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and buttons to push and a psuedo-theremin using an IR distance sensor. Peter is a master craftsman in wood working and he did all of the construction, while I worked on the electronics.
  
  
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Or on my wiki:
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Or on my wiki:  
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<gallery perrow=5 mode="packed">
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Image:artdesk_scd_resistor.jpg|First casualty of bad wiring.
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Image:artdesk_scd_peter.jpg|Peter routing the hole for the IR sensor
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Image:artdesk_scd_earmuffs.jpg|Working in an active woodshop gets very loud.
 +
Image:artdesk_scd_nolights.jpg|Desk is together, but minimal electronics are actually in it.
 +
Image:artdesk_scd_mp3decoder.jpg|Unfortunately due to IO conflicts and power issues, I had to disable the MP3 decoder board. It will be back though!
 +
Image:artdesk_scd_wiring.jpg|The Arduino Mega was the 'heart' of the machine. A proto-shield was added on top so I could more easily solder to it.
 +
Image:artdesk_scd_servo.jpg|The servo is driven by an Adafruit Boarduino, a capacitor on the power lines is there to help smooth out the power draw.
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Image:artdesk_scd_me.jpg|Me, looking like I'm working on something.
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Image:artdesk_scd_overhead01.jpg|Overhead view of mostly finalized wiring.
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Image:artdesk_scd_fullviewleft.jpg|Leftside wiring complete.
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Image:artdesk_scd_overhead02.jpg| Another overhead view
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Image:artdesk_scd_servo02.jpg|Close up of server mounting, power switch is in the right foreground.
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Image:artdesk_scd_pwmboard.jpg|the adafruit tlc5947 board drives the single color LEDs.
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Image:artdesk_scd_artshot.jpg|Trying to get creative with a wire-level view.
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Image:artdesk_scd_overhead03.jpg|Overhead view of entire desk top surface.
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Image:artdesk_scd_closingup.jpg|Getting all the wiring and components to fit in the enclosed space was a challenge throughout the project.
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Image:artdesk_scd_joystick.jpg|The joystick in the desktop controls the smaller 'antenna'.
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Image:artdesk_scd_notinshot.jpg|Of course the desk is beautiful, no if I could just fit in the shot.
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Image:artdesk_scd_antenna.jpg|A close-up shot of the two antenna, one lights up based on the 'engine' color, the other moves with the joystick.
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Image:artdesk_scd_fulldesktop.jpg|Full view of desktop, lights and antenna.
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</gallery>
  
 
Specs:  
 
Specs:  
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By default the Bicolor matrices run the Conway's Life cellular
 
By default the Bicolor matrices run the Conway's Life cellular
 
automata simulator, and a pitch indicator when the theremin is active.
 
automata simulator, and a pitch indicator when the theremin is active.
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About 2500 lines of C code went into making it all function together.
+
About 2500 lines of C code went into making it all function together, LEDs & Matrices & IR sensor & joystick, in 8k of working memory.
  
  
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Peter plans to continue to make more themed art desks in the coming
 
Peter plans to continue to make more themed art desks in the coming
 
year. This was just the first of many.
 
year. This was just the first of many.
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[[Category:Projects]][[Category:Art]]

Latest revision as of 08:35, 5 March 2015

This is a project that I worked with artist Peter Blunt on will be in One Spark. Inspired by the Jetsons and old Star Trek, we made a Retro-Future Desk (Peter calls it the Space Cadet Desk, but I have standards) It has lots of blinking lights and buttons to push and a psuedo-theremin using an IR distance sensor. Peter is a master craftsman in wood working and he did all of the construction, while I worked on the electronics.


Google+ Pictures here: https://plus.google.com/photos/101251666522239139683/albums/5995636879352451873


Or on my wiki:

  • First casualty of bad wiring.

  • Peter routing the hole for the IR sensor

  • Working in an active woodshop gets very loud.

  • Desk is together, but minimal electronics are actually in it.

  • Unfortunately due to IO conflicts and power issues, I had to disable the MP3 decoder board. It will be back though!

  • The Arduino Mega was the 'heart' of the machine. A proto-shield was added on top so I could more easily solder to it.

  • The servo is driven by an Adafruit Boarduino, a capacitor on the power lines is there to help smooth out the power draw.

  • Me, looking like I'm working on something.

  • Overhead view of mostly finalized wiring.

  • Leftside wiring complete.

  • Another overhead view

  • Close up of server mounting, power switch is in the right foreground.

  • the adafruit tlc5947 board drives the single color LEDs.

  • Trying to get creative with a wire-level view.

  • Overhead view of entire desk top surface.

  • Getting all the wiring and components to fit in the enclosed space was a challenge throughout the project.

  • The joystick in the desktop controls the smaller 'antenna'.

  • Of course the desk is beautiful, no if I could just fit in the shot.

  • A close-up shot of the two antenna, one lights up based on the 'engine' color, the other moves with the joystick.

  • Full view of desktop, lights and antenna.

Specs:

  • 1 Arduino Mega
  • 1 Adafruit Boarduino (Decimila clone)
  • 3 8x8 Bi-color matrices (with SPI)
  • 2 24 LED PWM boards
  • 7 Adafruit Neopixels(RGB LEDs with built in controller chips)
  • 1 unused mp3 decoder board (conflicted with PWM boards :-( plus power issues)
  • 1 Servo
  • 1 IR sensor
  • 1 Joystick


By default the Bicolor matrices run the Conway's Life cellular automata simulator, and a pitch indicator when the theremin is active. About 2500 lines of C code went into making it all function together, LEDs & Matrices & IR sensor & joystick, in 8k of working memory.


It is housed at the Southlight Gallery, near Hemming Plaza, on Hogan Street between Adams and Monroe.


For One Spark , we are in the Art category, titled "Art of Furniture" Project #20942 Give us a vote or two if you like the project.


Our project page is here: http://www.beonespark.com/discover/creator_projects/art-of-furniture


Peter plans to continue to make more themed art desks in the coming year. This was just the first of many.

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