RIPPLE//PHYSICAL COMPUTING

Ripple

01. Concept

A wavelike form that is inspired by the movement of a ripple across a surface. Our concept is that information from touch sensor actuates stepper motors and theses simple rotating shifts are converted to sine curve movement by Helix axis. We thought that simple movement affect other things in nature like ripple and it makes various other movements. In this project, we tried to imitate this nature’s mechanism by physical computing.

02. References

01)BUSSOLA by Jennifer Townley

02) STINGRAY by Apicalreform

03. Sensor & actuator

Touch Sensors are connected by Arduino board and they actuate 4 step motors. If No.1 touch sensor is on, No.1 Motor will be actuated, and after that No.2, No.3 and No.4 motor will rotate in sequence.

.....
if (senseValueM1 == 1) {

 digitalWrite(dirPinM1, HIGH);
 digitalWrite(dirPinM2, HIGH);
 digitalWrite(dirPinM3, HIGH);
 digitalWrite(dirPinM4, HIGH);

 for (int x = 0; x < Rot; x++) {
 digitalWrite(ledM1, HIGH);
 digitalWrite(stepPinM1, HIGH);
 delayMicroseconds(vel);
 digitalWrite(ledM1, LOW);
 digitalWrite(stepPinM1, LOW);
 delayMicroseconds(vel);
}
for (int x = 0; x < Rot; x++) {
 digitalWrite(ledM2, HIGH);
 digitalWrite(stepPinM2, HIGH);
 delayMicroseconds(vel);
 digitalWrite(ledM2, LOW);
 digitalWrite(stepPinM2, LOW);
 delayMicroseconds(vel);
 }
          .
          .

04. Mechanism

Axis hole is not located in the centre of the circle. So when circles rotate, they will push sticks in different angles. So turning of the circle makes sticks move as a sine curve.

a)Mechanism Diagram

b) Concept image

This concept image is for the arrangement of 4 modules and makes various wave pattern. But in the fabrication process, we realised using a different length of sticks makes many problems. So we changed stick length be equally. Maybe this pattern with different length will be used for the next step.

05. Axo Diagram

a) Assembly Diagram (1 module)

We used acrylic sheet because acrylic does not have any bump. The box frame holds the axis with helix shaped circles and Sticks. The axis connected with the stepper motor with 2 gears.

b) 4 Module Diagram

4 Modules are connected to an Arduino Mega board. When the sensor is on, motors start rotating in sequence. Manipulating the series, this project will show various react between sensor and ripple movement.

07. Documentary

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“Ripple” is a project of Iaac, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia developed at Masters in Advanced Architecture in 2019 by:
Students: Jae Shin / Karisma Bhagnani / Jing-Wen Chiou / Gayathry Mohan
Faculty: Angel Munoz and Cristian Rizzuti

Program