TimeRuler
![TimeRuler-4.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F81/4A5E/I49RQ1QB/F814A5EI49RQ1QB.jpg&filename=TimeRuler-4.jpg)
![TimeRuler-2.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJ5/5B4P/I49RQ1PB/FJ55B4PI49RQ1PB.jpg&filename=TimeRuler-2.jpg)
![TimeRuler-6.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FFK/QCRA/I49RQ1RB/FFKQCRAI49RQ1RB.jpg&filename=TimeRuler-6.jpg)
![TimeRuler-3.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FEM/EDK5/I49RQ1PI/FEMEDK5I49RQ1PI.jpg&filename=TimeRuler-3.jpg)
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TimeRuler is a time-space measuring tool, using light-painting technique. It can be used for fun, for measuring high speed movement in different sports or as an educational device for schools.
What you need:
- Arduino UNO, or similar
- 13 pcs. 3V ultra bright dome LED
- jump wire
- mini breadboard
- 9V battery
- plywood
- wood adhesive
- glue gun
- tracing paper, black cardboard, carbon paper
- silver paint or mirror sheets
- fretsaw
- Camera with long exposure function
Wiring, Testing
![step1b.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FBG/V520/I49RQADT/FBGV520I49RQADT.jpg&filename=step1b.jpg)
![step1.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F2O/79M2/I49RQBYN/F2O79M2I49RQBYN.jpg&filename=step1.jpg)
- insert 11 LEDs into the breadboard
- connect the LEDs anode/longer pins (+) with pin 3-13
- connect the cathode/shorter (-) pins to GND.
- open Arduino and open the attached code file. If you don't have the software, than download it here.
- disconnect the battery, connect the Arduino with your computer via USB cable provided.
- take a look at the code to see what it does. When you are testing you can set longer times so you can check if the LEDs are lit up correctly at a perceivable speed.
int delt=9; //delay time 9 ms - set this to 99
int blit=0.1; //delay time 0.1 ms - set this to 1 - upload the code to Arduino and see the result
Downloads
Making the Box
![step2b.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FX4/VZS5/I49RRBY5/FX4VZS5I49RRBY5.jpg&filename=step2b.jpg)
![step2c.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FZY/74W7/I49RRBZ7/FZY74W7I49RRBZ7.jpg&filename=step2c.jpg)
Build a box from plywood. The assembled box size is 62*85*77 mm (2.44*3.34*3.03 inch)
- print the attached PDF file
- copy with the help of a carbon paper the red outline on the plywood lid.
-
copy with the help of a carbon paper the blue outline on the black cardboard and cut out the shapes carefully. Stick tracing paper on the back of the cardboard - this will diffuse the light. These blue lines are inset 1 mm, because it is hard to make precise holes in the plywood.
- Cut 15 mm (0.59 inch) wide plywood strips than glue strips around the holes. You can paint reflective silver later or stick mirror sheets - this process helps bounce more light out through the holes.
Downloads
Solder, Mount
![step2.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F7A/V8CP/I49RRDQB/F7AV8CPI49RRDQB.jpg&filename=step2.jpg)
![step3a.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FSE/YPF9/I49RRDNZ/FSEYPF9I49RRDNZ.jpg&filename=step3a.jpg)
![step3b.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F2X/P9DU/I49RRDP2/F2XP9DUI49RRDP2.jpg&filename=step3b.jpg)
![step3c.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F4J/EIFL/I49RREZE/F4JEIFLI49RREZE.jpg&filename=step3c.jpg)
- Solder the wires to the LEDs, than insulate
- Test LEDs by mounting all of them in the right hole. If right, than fix them with hot glue.
- glue some black hobby foam strips on the back of the lid, so when you close no light could escape on the edges.
- mount a colored piece of plastic sheet inside the longest slit.
On-Off
![anim-gif.gif](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FL0/2W30/I49RRFWJ/FL02W30I49RRFWJ.gif&filename=anim-gif.gif)
Make a hole, where the Arduino has it's power socket, insert the plug, than mount the battery outside the box with a velcro. I used this this improvised ON-OFF system instead of buttons. to have smoother and faster start. When i push the cable to the plus end, than the animation starts automatically.
Set your camera to a few seconds long exposure with self timer, than paint some light in a dark space. Adjust ISO and aperture until you got the desired quality. Additionally if you want the painter to be visible in the picture you can give him/her a radio trigger, which is triggering a flashlight.
Play, Measure, Enjoy
Thanks for Midlands Makerspace Athlone for the helping me with Arduino.