Greg

Greg: Cardboard Automata

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Cardboard Automata

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Today we are going to start on creating cardboard automata. I hope I have all the necessary tools, but if now, we can improvise (creativity is a major part of this project).

Greg

Scribbling Machines (example)

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Objective
Using ordinary materials and simple motors, create a machine that draws a picture on its own.

Materials
Markers (thin or thick)
Brads (i.e., paper fasteners)
Produce Basket
DC Motor (from Radio Shack)
Wires
Wire strippers
Hot Glue Guns
Hot glue sticks
Masking Tape
Etc.

Procedure
1. Using a combination of glue/tape, I attached 3 markers to the basket and made sure it would stand on its own.
2. Attached wires to the leads of the motor and mounted the motor on top of the basket.
3. Attached the ends of the wires to the battery for a test run.
4. Placed brads on the device to make a switch
a. One wire leads from motor lead to one side of the battery
b. One wire goes from other motor lead to a brad.
c. One wire goes from other brad to battery.
d. Connect brads with a third wire. This third wire acts as a switch.
5. Placed a glue stick on the axle of the motor. Once the motor ran, it would spin the glue stick which caused the device to jitter/wobble/shake.
6. Uncap the markers, and let the device draw!

Adjustments
- Originally used tape to mount each component. Then, we came back and used hot glue. However, there are a few things to watch out for with hot glue.
a. You cannot put the tip of the hot glue gun against the battery. This may cause the battery to short out.
b. Sometimes attaching the wires to the hot glue didn't work as well because when drying, the wire would lift up and prevent a secure connection.
- Had to move parts around to keep balance.
- When making the complex scribbling machine, one had to account for the structure of the object. It helped out if one drew out a preliminary design, which I did, but unfortunately can't seem to locate presently.

Ways in whcih to improve/Insight
- Don't put glue on the axle of the motor!
- Have to be delicate with attaching wires to the motor leads.

Personal thoughts (KEEP IT CLEAN!!!!)
Blah, blah, blah...

On my way to completion

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

OK...I think I'm arranging the final pieces together for the "Not Just Another Brick in the Wall" project as far as the vlog, blog, facebook, and web profile goes. It was more challenging than I had expected because I had to create new accounts for Google and Yahoo. While that was easy enough, the blog, vlog and facebook account kept denying my attempts to create accounts because: a) I already have accounts with those social networks and so my information kept being pulled up instead of the information from the Google/Yahoo accounts, and b) the name of our project is coined from a famous Pinky Floyd song, so there were multiple variations I had to develop. Hopefully, everything will run smoothly.

Trying out something

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:31:00 +0000

This is a video I took with my phone during the launch of STS-119.

Background

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:33:00 +0000

I think it's cool that I have to have a blog as part of this project I'm working on. I am going to learn the ins and outs of how to start and maintain a blog. In between visitors today, I took the time to see about customizing my blog. My main concern is the RSS feed. I started it but it's already acting crazy. I received an error message that said I need to do a, b, c, etc, and still after following the instructions, the feed is not working. I wonder if its Vista (lol). Wish me luck.

Messing with Greg's Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:27:00 +0000

We're tyring to figure out the best blog service to use for a work project. :)

Hello World

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:24:00 +0000

I'm simply testing this out and seeing if I actually can start a blog. If I can do it, anyone can. Yes, I know "Hello World" is usually reserved for computer programmers, but still...it's a blog!