Introduction
In this recitation we created a drawing machine. We learned how to use an H-bridge to control stepper motors.
Materials:
(For Steps 1 and 2)
1 * 42STH33-0404AC stepper motor
1 * L293D ic chip
1 * power jack
1 * 12 VDC power supply
1 * Arduino kit and its contents
(For Step 3)
2 * Laser-cut short arms
2 * Laser-cut long arms
1* Laser-cut motor holder
2 * 3D printed motor coupling
5 * Paper Fasteners
1 * Pen that fits the laser-cut mechanisms
Paper
Process and Results
Step 1: Build the circuit
We built the following circuit:
I used the stepper_oneRevolution example code to get the motor to make one revolution.
Step 2: Control rotation with a potentiometer
I added a potentiometer to the circuit, and then, uploaded the MotorKnob example to the Arduino. I had to modify the number of steps within the code from 100 to 200, because the 42STH33-0404AC Stepper Motor is a 200 step motor (map function).
Step 3: Build a drawing machine!
Step 3 went smoothly. We just had to place the paper on top of a book so that it would meet the pen.
Question 1:
What kind of machines would you be interested in building?Add a reflection about the use of actuators, the digital manipulation of art, and the creative process to your blog post.
I would be interested in building interactive art. I want to put up an installation to make people reflect on their personal impact on the environment- how every single purchase they make has an impact. Actuators and programs that allow the digital manipulation of art are tools that let us create projects that interact with users in new ways. Instead of being a static, merely physical object, a project can seem to come alive.
Actuators
Question 2:
Choose an art installation mentioned in the reading ART + Science NOW, Stephen Wilson (Kinetics chapter). Post your thoughts about it and make a comparison with the work you did during this recitation. How do you think that the artist selected those specific actuators for his project?
Daniel Rozin’s Mechanical Mirrors: Wooden Mirror caught my attention because it took an everyday object (the mirror) and made it a novelty. Both his mirror and the simple drawing machine we made during recitation provide a new way of enjoying simple objects (pens, mirrors).