Kinetic Trash: A Trial and Error

From our hackMD documentation. A copy is also on this Github repo

Concept

To create a dynamic installation representing oceanic trash by using a moving surface composed of waste materials

Intelligence

Copernicus data

Copernicus provides a large source of marine related data. We got the forecast data for today (Mar 8) and used it to inform the speed of the movement of the sculpture.

Current prototype has 9 hard-coded values of today’s forecast of sea surface wind wave mean period from midnight to tomorrow midnight.

How we worked

1. First quick prototype to understand the motion and the dynamics
2. Planning of the structure

3. CAD design

4. Code the motor with basic movement

5. Look for materials
6. Manufacturing
7. Assemble
   
8. Update code

Problems we encountered

Problem 1: The structure in not stable enough

Solution: To do triangulations with strings

Problem 2: The initial assembly causes the strings to get tangled

Solution: Flip the direction of the motor

Problem 3: Burned barduino by accidentally connecting the 12v

Solution: Borrow another barduino, thanks Annna

Problems 4: Broken 3D prints: clamp and motor holder structure

Solution: Hot glue

Problem 5: Assembly the objects in the strings

Solution: Patience

Problem 6: Motor MDF structure bends

Solution: holding the structure by pulling

Problem 7: Motor driver not working properly

Solution: Replace the motor driver

Reflect about future development opportunity

Learning through creating

To view this process as the first prototype for a kinetic sculpture, where we learn through its creation. If we were to make it again, we would allocate time to simulate the movement using Grasshopper. Additionally, we would enhance the aesthetic appeal through the manufacturing process, using molds to create shapes that enhance the movement.

Multiparameterization

Currently we can only control the speed and direction of the motor. We can also vary the distance and the number of the rotating arm, and this would vary the “amplitude” of the waves.

Because of it’s triangular shape, the structure can be tiled. We can then have multiple modules creating a bigger wave effect.

Real-time data and Sensing

Currently, the speed of the movement is based on real-world forecast from Copernicus, but the data is hard-coded. Further development can include real-time data retrieval and processing.

We can also implement more sensing inputs, like capacitive or audio, that would affect the movement - representing human disruptions to the natural environment.

Fabrication

BOM (Build of Materials)

Part	Spec
Microcontroller	Barduino
Motor Driver	DRV8825 Stepper Motor Driver Carrier
Stepper Motor	NEMA17 Stepper Motor
12v Power Supply	LRS-100-12
5v Power Supply	External Battery
Rods
MDF	3mm
Chicken Wire
PLA filament
Strings
Cable ties
Nuts and Bolts	M5

System Diagram

Parts

Structure

Electronics

Microcontroller, Motor Driver

Stepper Motor

3D File

Power Supply

Design & Fabrication files

References

Ping Pong Balls Kinetic Scuplture
Interactive Kinetic Sculpture / Wave Machine ver. 3: FiberLab Symphony Orchestra
Copernicus Global Ocean Waves Analysis and Forecast

Links

Minnie’s site

Reflection

• For the second microchallenge, motivated by what we did in the first one, Panchi and I partnered up again.
• We actually had initial ideas before the microchallenge week, which is basically to design products from the materials we developed from the first microchallenge.
• It took a sharp turn when the requirements of this challenge were revealed. Now we had to think of something that had to do with intelligences - which we did not consider before. It was disappointing to say the least, to change the direction that we were taking. We were supposed to take the opportunity to to slowly build the ideas and prototypes for each of our master thesis project.
• In the end, we did something still to be proud of. Presenting it in the Design Dialogues proved that it’s an eye-catching piece. It’s hypnotizing and it create an easy way to start a conversation about ocean trash/plastics.