Abacus - the Final

Construction of the final abacus

* Materials:

- Balsa Wood;

- small PVC pipes;

- metal bars;

- web camera (Sony Playstation 3 Eye);

- white wide-angle LEDs

- 3V battery and holder;

- wires;

- computer.

* Cut PVC pipes (2 cm in height).

* This small rings will be the beads for the abacus.

* Covers for the "beads".

* As the cover is the same size as the pipe, it's hard to move the "beads" when they are close to one another.

* A bigger cover is used.

* A test with the camera to see if white beads work well with camera.

* Light is needed to reflect the white.

* Processing will now detect the white instead of the black beads.

* After try out with the program, more cutting for the beads.

* The new beads and the covers.

* For 7 vertical-column abacus, it needs 35 beads and 70 covers.

* Drill a hole in the middle of the cover for the metal bar to go through.

* 5 beads in every metal bar.

* Rough assembly to measure the height of the heaven and earth beads divider.

* Gluing the divider and cutting the metal bars to the designated height.

* The sides' bar to keep the abacus straight.

* Joining the sides and the top.

* LEDs at the bottom of the box (abacus will be placed at the top).

* Web camera placed at the bottom of the box.

* A door to make adjustments if needed.

* Finished box.

* Abacus placed on top.

* Camera, tracking the position of the beads.

* Abacus with light.

* View from Processing.

* Camera tracks the white beads.

* Does not work very well when it is under a spotlight.

* Light from the spotlight will also be counted as a bead.

* The final abacus (perspective back).

Kaleidoscope -the Final

Construction of the final kaleidoscope.

* Materials:

- Balsa wood;

- PVC sheet;

- PVC pipe (2 different sizes + 1 small one (for the knob));

- perfboard;

- white wide-angle LED;

- 220Ω resistor;

- wires;

- 3V battery and the holder;

- switch;

- LDR (light sensor);

- rubber wire protector;

- arduino;

- computer.

* Similar assembly to the last prototype.

* The small (in diameter) PVC pipe, length of approx. 31.5 cm (front) and 27.5 cm (back).

* This will be where the mirrors goes to (the viewing tube).

* The big (in diameter) PVC pipe.

* This will be the rotating tool.

* Cut out 2 dough-nut shaped wood as the cover.

* Inserting the viewing tube to test if it is too tight or loose.

* The viewing hole, with a circular PVC sheet below.

* The previous rotation tool does not have a place to hang the LED.

* A new rotation tool, with an extension on one side.

* Another cover for the new rotation tool.

* The top part of the box.

* The circular hole for the viewing tube and the semi-circular line for the rotation tool's extension.

* Inserting the viewing tube into the box.

* Additional stands inside between the tube to support the top part of the box.

* The electronics.

* Embedding the electronics inside the box, taped.

* Mirror (triangular effect).

* Joined using black tape.

* LED and LDR.

* Inside from outside.

* The final kaleidoscope (perspective front).

* The final kaleidoscope with a door knob (perspective back).