Friday, April 9, 2010

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).