Useless Box ++
This project was submitted to 'Creative Electronics', a Beng Electronics Engineering module at University of Málaga, School of Telecommunications (https://www.uma.es/etsi-de-telecomunicacion/).
Supplies
- Arduino Uno
- 3D Printer
- Filaments
- Protoboard
- 2x Servomotor (MG 996r)
- 1x Servomotor (SG 90)
- 9V Portable Battery
- Connection wires
- 10k Resistor
- 2x Switches
- Glue
- Toothpick
- Cloth
- American Tape
- 4x Screws
- Welder
- Tin
- Flux
Print the Model
Firstable, we found our model at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4212064 , we rescaled every piece to make it a little bigger and we designed our own parts to fit our model.
By using Prusa Slicer, we first rescaled the original model, resulting the following measures: 153.33% (X), 171.44% (Y) and 153.33 (Z). The whole box and both arms were scaled to these dimensions.
Then, we removed some parts from the original box, that did not fit our model, leaving exclusively an empty box.
Finally, we designed our own holders, so every servomotors could specifically fit, and so they did not move when using.
We give you the stl model of every single part so you do not have to worry about it. They are completely free to use.
Assemble
First, before you work inside the box, weld wires to the switches. It will be easier now that the box is empty.
Then, screw the arms to the servos (MG 996R), and glue the holders into the box.
Put the servos into the holders, making sure they stay still, without moving or sliding, and place every switch into their corresponding gap.
Connect the Arduino to the protoboard, through the connection wires, to the PWM output.
Finally, connect every servo and switch, and make your own handmade flag (we used a toothpick and cloth).
Software
We coded eleven different functions, and each of them involves a different behaviour.
We have two servomotors that activate everytime they receive the switch interruption. The last servo only works on the final function.
The box, in general, is getting a more furious behaviour, as the functions happen.
Here, you can download the code used in this project, which is completely free to use.
Downloads
Conclusion
To sum up, our useless box behaves differently, acording to the function that is happening. Here is a video showing how the box works.
Feel free to try it and comment anything you think that can improve our design.
Special regards to our teachers, Arcadio and Luis, for helping us with almost every aspect of the project.