project: sound scales swatch
Unfortunately, I can't make it to the eTextile Summer Camp this year, but I'm still participating in the Swatch Exchange!
I'm building 20 examples of how I integrated piezo elements into paillette fabric for the Sound Scales dress. Instead of mounting it on fabric, I decided to make the circuit from paper and copper adhesive. To replace the Arduino-generated PWM sound wave, I'm using a 555 IC to drive the sound. I've also integrated a pressure sensor in the circuit, so that the frequency of the sound can be manipulated.
In case you're interested, here's a link to last year's Swatchbook Exchange. And my contribution, which was based on research from the Manifold Project.
progress: finished!
The swatches are finished and ready to be shipped to Hannah in Berlin. Photos below, and I'll put more details on my swatch page on the Summer Camp website.
- finished!
- fold to connect battery
- press to change frequency
- behind the fabric
- the complete circuit
- close-up of circuit
...and a little video of the functionality...
progress: paper circuits
Twenty circuits - almost complete!
I also cut the Velostat pressure-sensitive film on the vinyl cutter (seen here in black).
design: copper foil circuit
I'm using an astable 555 timer circuit to generate a pulse to create the piezo sound. Because I'll be using adhesive copper foil, the circuit will be single-sided and single-layered. I'm using SMD components to minimize bulk.
Here's my circuit diagram and layout in Illustrator:
- circuit diagram
- cutting layout
I'm using my vinyl cutter to cut the circuit, so can't make the traces too thin. A 2mm minimum seems to be a good rule of thumb. I've also tried to use curves where possible, so that peeling the copper will be easier, plus it's a nice stylistic touch as circuit boards are usually hard angles. In the future, I'll probably try to design the circuit to reduce waste as part of the layout.
- copper foil cut into circuits
- stuck down and soldered