2016-09-01 (Th) Clockwork Theremin

Schematics of the parts were sketched. This block diagram made it easier to see all the components working together. The diagram also made it easier to remember which parts were necessary and count all the necessary terminals.

To make the device more modular a single enclosure will be used for the electronics while the potentiometers, motors and gears will be a completely separate enclosure. They will be linked by two cables, one will carry the power for the motors while the other will be shielded and carry the signals for the potentiometers. These potentiometer signals could be sensitive to interference so shielded cable, even if the run is only a meter or two, may be important.

Schematic of the parts

The smaller version of the Arduino Micro will be the controller and will have a couple pins to spare in case lights are added such as NeoPixels.

A trip to the local surplus store supplied many of the necessary parts but many were stocked. Plans for a 3D printed enclosure started to form but an inexpensive ABS enclosure was found at the store. Material for the large gears was also purchased. Expaned plastic (foamed plastic) was chosen because it is light, thick and inexpensive. Ideally a much thicker material would be used for aesthetic purposes in order to give the impression of massive gears. Perhaps a layer of insulation foam will be added to the tops of the gears in the same shape to give the impression of mass even if the foam doesn't do any real work.

Parts for the project so far

The I/O list for the Arduino was made. This was based on the limited pins of the small Arduino Micro but they are expensive and easy to debug. Five of the eighteen pins were unused but this assumes that the ENable signal for the h-bridges can be pulled permanently high and the FWD and REV signals can be operated with PWM signals.

I/O list for the small Arduino Micro

Downloads:
Parts list:


The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.

First time here?

Completed projects from year 1.

Completed projects from year 2.

Completed projects from year 3.


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2016-08-30 (Tu)

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