PartyBox log

1/22 - 1/28

• Group finalized PartyBox project idea
• General objectives: LED array, modular and connectable, response to live music, different modes, wireless (if time permits)
• Wiki page published

1/29 - 2/4

• Group met with TA Nathan to discuss project proposal and demo.
• Developed finer ideas of project (center cube with processor and power, no wireless, only music and standby modes, and modularity with plugs flush to cube surface).
• Drafted and finished a project proposal, including a Gantt chart.
• Agreed upon minimum weekly meeting, Monday at 7pm

2/5 - 2/11

• Met with Nathan and discussed issues with the previously submitted proposal, most importantly the need for an additional arduino on the second cube
• Group meeting on 2/8/17:
  • Sketched out a basic picture of what we’re brainstorming
    • Add sketch to proposal?
    • LEDs 4 x 4 x 4 with none on bottom where Arduino is located
  • Reevaluated how we would get the two cubes to connect
    • Considered more complicated mechanisms, such as force sensors, but ultimately decided on just wiring the inputs and outputs of the two arduinos together using male/female plugs
  • Fix Budget
    • Removed items we previously thought we would need (micro-USB)
    • Add new objects to connect the cubes
      • Physically: Magnets? (Could be too expensive) 3D Print locking mechanism?
      • Plugs/wires straight from an output port of one Arduino to an input port of the other
    • Specify resistors
    • Magnets, microphones, acrylic adhesive, counters, transistors
  • Fix formatting of proposal
  • Adjust Gantt chart
    • More time for physical construction
    • More actions occurring simultaneously
  • Add more details to the overview in the proposal (size specifications, reason for two cubes)
• Group meeting on 2/9/17
  • Dropped the plan for the second cube due to budget constraints
  • Adjusted Gantt chart accordingly to account for the change in objectives
  • Finalized budget
  • Spruced up project proposal
• Lydia: continued to research LED Matrix implementations. Used this tutorial
• Graham: began learning how to operate AutoDesk Inventor and the labs 3D printer

2/12 - 2/18

• Graham continued to learn Inventor, and began experimenting with suspension structure design

2/19 - 2/25

• Group decided to use LED strips and have them light the faces without the inside.

2/26 - 3/4

• Graham began reworking 3D printed structure because of the inclusion of LED strip lights instead of LEDs