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Final Project

Initial Ideas

I originally came up with a few different ideas that I might be able to implement with the skills used in this class. Here they are below (hand drawn):

I've finally decided the second idea (the shoe lace coiler) would be simple enough to actually complete.

Current notes on this idea:

Current Plan and Timeline

1. Design, mill, and solder PCBs for base and end.
• Design PCB for base: [DATES, 5]
• Design PCB for end: [DATES, 5]
• Mill PCBs: [DATE]
• Solder parts on both boards: [DATES, 3]


2. Program and test connectivity between boards.
• Write code for end base board: [DATES, 9]
• Write code for end board: [DATES, 9]
• Program boards: [DATE]
• Troubleshoot and debug boards: [DATES, 3]
3. Test functionality of moving parts (motor) and measure power consumption.


• Test motor movement (check for pure functionality and adequate speeds) and troubleshoot if necessary: [DATE]
• Measure power consumption of motor and determine battery to use for desired longevity: [DATE]
4. Determine size limits and design casing.
• Based on current boards and parts, determine size and shape constraints: [DATE]
• Design casing in Fusion: [DATES, 7]
• Mill, mold, and then cast casing (cast as plastic): [DATES, 2]
• Add any needed supplemental parts to casing: [DATES, 2]
• Assemble casings: [DATE]


5. Empirically test functioning.
• Determine closeness between end and base that should cause coiling to stop: [DATE]
• Determine difference in acceleration which warrants coiling in first place (when to detect "untied"): [DATES, 5]
• Additional troubleshooting and testing: [DATES, rest of time]