Category: Week8

As I headed to the FabLab bright and early on Wednesday morning, I found myself to be more excited to visit the unique campus building than I was the previous week. After learning all the opportunities, I had a better understanding of what the Fab Lab had to offer and was craving more. And more is what I got. More knowledge, more advice, and a lot more feedback on our group project from Milestone Labs.

Wednesday Workshops

To start our day, we split back into two groups: one group working with the laser cutter software and one group working with led lights and circuit boards. Considering I completed my laser lesson last week, I was in the opposites group with two Fab Lab workers to help guide us through the process. Although I have taken an ECE (electrical engineering) course before, I did not fully grasp the physical aspects of a circuit board. In the past, the math came easier for me as we rarely had the opportunity to play around with boards and wires. But as the employees guided us through the simplicities of lighting and LED with just a board, light and battery, I had a much better understanding of this side of science.
In the photos below, you can see the light shining when it is upright and the light off once tilted. This is due to the additional tilt sensor we added to the board, breaking the circuit every time it is turned sideways.

Milestone Labs Update

After completing our workshops, we had the opportunity to sit down with Milestone Labs to shows them are prototypes and discuss our next steps. While presenting our project pitch and prototypes, the professionals from Milestone Labs were thrilled with our current progress. Below are our two prototypes. The top is an adjustment to an athlete’s glove, which is covered in clay and indented to represent the potential for different patterns in the rubber. Currently, we are still working on how we will attach the cover to the glove or if we are trying to find a new type of rubber for Arielle to utilize when she initially designs her gloves. The bottoms photo focuses on the handling itself with a similar prototype to show the textured rubber attachment that could be added to the wheel if the weather is poor.

One of the designers suggested we speak with Adam and Arielle, to figure out which part of the glove and wheel HAVE to stay the same, whether for regulation or functional purposes; we will be able to play around with the rest of the object once we have determined the dynamic locations.

As we move to the actual designated gn of our product, we plan to reach out to a material science professor to ask him if he has any ideas for materials that may be beneficial to our project. Hopefully, in the weeks following spring break, we will have the resources, knowledge and capabilities to create our vision. 

Elisa Ambrose

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Gies College of Business

This week we were at the FabLab again. This week was my groups turn to learn more about the laser cutter and sewing machines in the FabLab. We learned how to get the files ready for cutting, and continued working on the wearable from last week. We also learned how to use the sewing machines and sewed a strap for the wearable.

Milestone Labs held a Zoom session for us as well. We submitted a progress form before class, so Milestone Labs would be up to date on each of our projects. Each group had 10 minutes to answers questions from Milestone Labs and discuss further plans for each project. They had good feedback for my group! They suggested that we take a look at materials we may want to use. They also suggested that we do a lot of research to see what the best way to create good enough friction for grip, but not so much that it slows down the racer. This was something we had not yet considered, so it was very helpful for Milestone Labs to share that thought.

We also created low-fedelity prototypes out of clay. We modeled what our casing for the hand ring might look like and made a cover for the racing glove. It was great to do this kind of prototyping because it allows us to get a good idea of what direction we should continue in.

Katherine Garvey

This weeks class was divided into three parts. First, we learned how to use the laser engraving and cutting software Inkscape, then we learned how to use the Fab Labs high tech sewing machines, and finally we had the opportunity to talk to Mile Stone labs in regardes to our group projects.

This was my first time using the program Inkscape, however, I am very familiar with changing regular files to vector files. I work for a screen printing company on campus where it is a similar process for preparing files for production. In order to get the best image resolution, all artwork files must be converted to vector format. Once a file is converted to vector format the design can be enlarged to any size and keep its resolution (it will never get pixelated). It is very similar for laser cutting, these lines must tell the machine exactly what to do, either raster or vector. Vector will cut straight through while raster will engrave .

The second portion of the class we were taught how to sew our watch bands! We started with a cloth where we were told to follow a zig-zag line to practice with the pedal and changing directions while sewing. I love to sew so it was awesome to have an opportunity to!

The final portion of the class was dedicated to having one on one discussion with Mile Stone labs in regards to our projects. It was great to be able to hear what they thought of our work thus far as well as getting input on where we should be headed.

These are a few of our main take aways:

• Market research. Look at current waterproof sleeves, boating products, fishing products, waterproofing solvent
• Think about DIY system of customizing the joystick covers
• Texture/add ons
• Identifying where the wires are located on current power wheelchairs
• Looking at soft materials
• Figuring out what material we will use, and what the process would be of using them (sewing vs heat etc.)

I am looking forward to next weeks class at the Fab Lab where we will get to see our watches come together as well as developing our projects further!

Isabella Manobianco

www.isabellamanobianco.com

This week our class was in the Fab Lab again! We started off learning how to use the lasers in the lab and then we created the watch strap by using the sewing machines.

Learning how to use the laser software was really interesting. I liked how easy the different features were like creating different shapes and trying out the color spectrum at the bottom. Also, we learned this trick where you can find a silhouette on google images and trace the image with the software. We practiced this and I used an elephant image. I was also then able to change the color of the traced image! I understand how this could be very helpful when designing. Below is a picture of the trace feature.

 We then imported a template from the software and designed the watch face. The instructors at the Fab Lab gave us a great tip about keeping your audience in mind when designing. My mentor is Arielle who is a Paralympic athlete so I decided to design my watch face with an athlete in mind. Therefore the look I went for is sleek and elegant. (I will post pictures in a future post when I go to the lab and laser etch my watch face.)

After we created the watch strap. To do this we had to use how to learn the sewing machines. I had never previously used a sewing machine and I am very bad at sewing by hand. However, it wasn’t as intimidating as I expected and I think this was great practice for my team’s prototype. One of our ideas is to try to make a fabric cover for the hand ring. Below I included pictures of our sewing practice. I also found this link with tips and tricks as a beginning using a sewing machine. https://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/sewing-tips-for-beginners/ I really like this article because it links to other pages where you can learn specific tips that would be helpful. The section that explains how to attach buttons with the sewing machine could be helpful for my team when designing a cover. We could create a cover with button closures.

The hardest part using the sewing machine for me was continually having to thread the needle and learning how to control my speed. This is something that I could improve with more practice and that was even getting better as I created my watch strap.

Finally, we were able to show our prototypes to Milestone Labs. They gave us a lot of great feedback. One thing we are doing moving forward is reaching out to Dr. Goodman, a Material Science Engineering Professor to ask for help understanding different materials. There are a couple of other teams also reaching out so we are combining into a big group. (A couple of us had Dr. Goodman as a Professor for our Technology & Management minor.)

Maryam Siddique

Gies College of Business || May 2019

Supply Chain Management & Information Systems/Information Technology

This week, like last week, we had class at the Champaign-Urbana community Fab Lab. Last week, I was in the group where we learned how to use Inkscape to create vector images. This week, I was in a different group in which we got to play with Arduino. This was my first time to get my hands on a circuit and to learn how it works. Previously, the only knowledge I had on circuit boards were things I learned from physics back in high school. In college, the only times I chances I had with circuit boards was when I was pulling pranks on my ECE roommates class projects. So, I was excited to not only be able to play with circuit boards but to learn how it works. I learn that Arduino can be used for many things and can be handy in our project.

This week, like last week, we had class at the Champaign-Urbana community Fab Lab. Last week, I was in the group where we learned how to use Inkscape to create vector images. This week, I was in a different group in which we got to play with Arduino. This was my first time to get my hands on a circuit and to learn how it works. Previously, the only knowledge I had on circuit boards were things I learned from physics back in high school. In college, the only times I chances I had with circuit boards was when I was pulling pranks on my ECE roommates class projects. So, I was excited to not only be able to play with circuit boards but to learn how it works. I learn that Arduino can be used for many things and can be handy in our project. I found courses on Udemy that will allow me to learn more about this amazing open-source hardware.

Link: https://www.udemy.com/topic/arduino/

After the lesson on circuit boards, we were then assigned to work on prototypes of our product. The two prototypes my team and I came up with are a magnetic strip along with a magnetic yoga map and an extension to Jenna’s prosthetics to help her balance while practicing yoga.

The last part of our class, we had the opportunity to meet with consultants at Milestone Labs to discuss our prototypes. Once again, the consultants enjoyed the ideas we came up with but reminded us to be cautious when dealing with magnets as it could affect other parts of the machinery.

Overall, I was happy and glad that we were able to make a lot of progress on our project and learned more about the resources at Fab Lab that we could use to create and add-on to our products. I am excited to return to Fab Lab again this week and I hope to finally start printing our product.

After the lesson on circuit boards, we were then assigned to work on prototypes of our product. The two prototypes my team and I came up with are a magnetic strip along with a magnetic yoga map and an extension to Jenna’s prosthetics to help her balance while practicing yoga.

The last part of our class, we had the opportunity to meet with consultants at Milestone Labs to discuss our prototypes. Once again, the consultants enjoyed the ideas we came up with but reminded us to be cautious when dealing with magnets as it could affect other parts of the machinery.

Overall, I was happy and glad that we were able to make a lot of progress on our project and learned more about the resources at Fab Lab that we could use to create and add-on to our products. I am excited to return to Fab Lab again this week and I hope to finally start printing our product.

Ruei Kao

This week, I learned how to light up a bulb using wires and a flat battery on the circuit board. First, we tested if the flat battery had enough voltage using a Multimeter. Then, we connected both positive and negative sides of the flat battery to the circuit board using the wires. And depending on the placement, we added different stoppers to limit the amount of voltage going through the circuit. This will help us light our protection in light for prosthetic users to use them in the night when they are going on a walk. Next week, we are going to finish making the watch using the watch cover we previously made using the laser cutter.

Last week, we created three different prototypes based on our research. And in this, Milestone studio was generous to spend their time with us and gave us feedback based on our new research and prototypes. Overall, we got some great feedback. Our group had some great first hand resources, Jenna and Jeannette, and have some good prototypes. Now, we need to interview elder prosthetic leg users and veterans prosthetic leg users. Then we can target a larger age group than just, young athletic prosthetic leg users. Milestone also suggested us to study Jenna’s prosthetic model and create a protection specifically for her. So further on, our group is going meet up with Jenna and take pictures of her walking and running with her prosthetic leg. This way, we can design a model that will not interfere with her movement.

Jenna gave us great feedback this week. She told us to not make the protection come up to their thighs. That actually hinders her from running. Also, she wants her protection to not be a sleeve because it tends to spin around her slippery prosthetic leg. So, we need to hold down the protection on the prosthetic leg without going over the thigh. As a solution, our group create a hook that will go on the back part of Jenna’s prosthetic leg. This will firmly hold the protection to the leg without having it fall off. The hooks should be covered with rubber but have a metal sheet for firmness. The sleeve is going to be made out of silicon or part PVC plastic and silicon. For next week, we are going to work on deciding the best material for making our prosthetic model. So, we are going to a prosthetic arm firm called Psyonic and ask for material suggestion. This way we can finalize on our material cost and find a way how to make a cheap prosthetic protection just like Psyonic.

Jae Lee

Last week, we continued our journey in Fablab. We kept the original group and switch session. Since I was in the watch face design group in the first week, I was in the circuit design group last week. We were given some parts of the circuit and learned how to assemble them together to make the whole circuit work. I wasn’t really familiar with the circuit, since I didn’t learn too much knowledge of physics back in high school. Luckily, the whole procedure is not too complicated, I finally made it work. I wouldn’t imagine that I would have chance to learn such knowledge in college, since this is related to physics or engineering field. I found the circuit design is also a crucial part for students with different majors, because with this knowledge people can design some electronic products but not limited to simple ones. However, learning one class is far not enough, I will probably do more research and try to learn more knowledge in this field.

Later, we have some time discussing about our product and prototype. Since I wasn’t be bale to attend an interview and a meeting with professor last weekend, my teammate told me about something they discussed with the professor and they decided to focus on designing a thing that can help wheelchair-user to grab things independently. Therefore, we talked about how to redesign our prototype and which material we can use.

I also started filming the video for BADM357, since I registered for the video project instead of the weekly summary. I filmed some footage about teams discussing with mentor, students asking question to instructors, and the great time of having pizza! Just incase you don’t feel good about being filmed, please feel free to let me know. Please keep doing what you’re doing when you find I’m filming you, I just want to make the footages look more smooth, or also you can look at the camera and say hi to the future students. Thank you guys for understanding!

Finally, we had chance talking about our updated ideas and the progress we made so far to the mentors from milestone lab. The mentors are satisfied with our ideas, and they also provide us some advice related to the material and what we need to think about for future steps. They also suggested us thinking about the flexibility that our customers may want and how the real product work in reality. For the next move, I think we need to make a workable prototype to testify our ideas. We should think about the different degrees of some objects that can be held in our gloves and see how it works. For the next week, we’ll focus on making our prototype and conducting more interview with our prototype and see how well it works and where we can improve it.

Eric Zhang