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

Initial ideas for modules of the suspension structure with individual LEDs

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

Main cube structure with slots for where the LED strips will exit and enter the cube