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(Created page with "==Introduction== The Vorpal Rainbow Fidget Spinner is a fun project that allows you to make a 3D printed fidget spinner that lights up in a rainbow of random colors when you s...")
 
 
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==Introduction==
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The following Vorpal Robotics projects and products are documented on this wiki. This list offers a convenient jump off point to product information.
The Vorpal Rainbow Fidget Spinner is a fun project that allows you to make a 3D printed fidget spinner that lights up in a rainbow of random colors when you spin it. There is no on/off switch for this project, rather it uses a clever centrifugal force switch that automatically engages when the project is spinning. Even fairly slow spinning speeds will light up the spinner. Because this project is open source, you can modify the spinner design, remix, and hack the project to your heart's content.
 
  
This project is open source and is licensed under the Creative Commons Share-Alike Attribution International 4.0 license.
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All of these items can be purchased from the [[http://store.vorpalrobotics.com Vorpal Robotics Store]].
  
A convenient kit including all the electronics is available from the Vorpal Robotics Store.
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==Kits==
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* [[Vorpal The Hexapod]] This is our flagship product! A low cost, 3D-printed, Arduino based, Bluetooth controlled, MIT Scratch programmable Hexapod robot.
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** Note: all individual hexapod kit parts are also available separately on the [[http://store.vorpalrobotics.com Vorpal Robotics Store]]
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* [[Vorpal Vase Dazzler]] This kit allows you to create a base that you can place a 3D printed vase on top of. The base contains addressable RGB LED lights and can make the vase light up in different colors, including fading between colors and twirling or flame flicker type effects. Put together a Vase Dazzler, 3D print one of many open source vase designs, add some 3D printed roses, and you've just made a fantastic gift for Valentine's day, Mother's day, birthdays, graduations, etc.
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* [[Rainbow Fidget Spinner]]  Is a full color RGB LED lighted fidget spinner that flashes and fades between colors when spun. It uses a centrifugal force switch to automatically power on only when spinning, no on/off switch required. It will light for about 80 hours of spinning time before you need to replace the inexpensive and commonly available CR2032 coin cell battery.
  
==Bill of Materials (BOM)==
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==Components==
The following electrical and hardware items are required to build this project:
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* [[Vorpal Factory Paired Bluetooth Modules]] give you a convenient way to add radio communications to Arduino projects. These modules are pre-paired at the factory and provide a transparent serial connection within seconds of booting. You can have many of these pairs operating in the same room.
* 5 x Random color LEDs, T3 size (3mm)
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* [[Vorpal 12 RGB LED Light Ring]]
* 1 x Rainbow Fidget PCB*.  
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* [[Vorpal 7 RGB LED Light Ring]]
* 1 x Sorenson Centrifugal Force Switch
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* [[Vorpal Color Blinking/Flashing Light Kit]]
* 1 x low profile CR2032 battery holder, half circle type
 
* 1 x CR2032 button cell battery (not rechargeable)
 
* 6 x Button head cap screws, M3x5mm
 
* about 8 inches (200mm) of bare hookup wire, anywhere from 21 to 24 gauge is fine.
 
* 1 x Skate Bearing (size 608)
 
  
<nowiki>*</nowiki> NOTE for self-sourcers: Instead of making the Rainbow Fidget PCB, you can substitute a piece of copper clad perfboard, 0.1" spacing, 6 holes by 2 holes, carefully cut out of a larger PCB with a hacksaw.
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==Battery and Power Distribution==
 
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* [[Vorpal Regulated Electrical System]]
<gallery mode=packed>
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* [[Vorpal Unregulated Electrical System]]
File:RainbowFidget-PCB-Closeup.jpg|Close up view of the Fidget PCB
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* [[Vorpal Three Output Power Distribution Harness]]
</gallery>
 
 
 
The following 3D printed parts are needed for this project. You can find all of the STL files on Thingiverse by searching for Vorpal Rainbow Fidget Spinner. You can find the source 3D models on OnShape.com by searching for "Vorpal Rainbow Fidget Spinner".
 
 
 
* 1 x Circuit carrier
 
* 1 x Bottom Plate
 
* 1 x Top Plate
 
* 2 x Endcap
 
 
 
The following tools and supplies are needed:
 
* Hex key that fits the screws, this would be a 2mm hex key for 3mm button head screws. A 5/64 inch hex key will also work because that's very close to 2mm.
 
* Soldering iron, solder (lead free is recommended), rosin flux paste or liquid, wire cutters
 
 
 
==Assembly Steps==
 
===Solder LEDs and Wires to Printed Circuit Board===
 
The printed circuit board (PCB) has a side with copper and a side without copper. The LEDs should be inserted into the holes from the non-copper side. Each LED has a short lead and a long lead. The long lead of each LED should be inserted such that they come out through the side of the board marked with a + sign. The two holes that are farther apart, near the + and - symbols, are not for LEDs but rather for pieces of wire. Place the end of a 3 inch piece of wire in each hole.
 
 
 
To hold all the LEDs straight while soldering, you can use the circuit carrier 3D printed part. Use the side that doesn't have the deep grooves to hold the LEDs in place.
 
 
 
Once they are set down, double check to make sure all of the long leads are on the + side of the board. Apply a little rosin flux then solder all the connections. It's very important not to bridge the solder between the + and - sides of the board, which are separated by a gap in the copper.
 
 
 
You may now test the LEDs by taking the CR2032 battery and touching the wire on the + side of the circuit to the battery side marked +, then touch the other wire on the other side. All LEDs should light up. If some or all of them do not light up, you may have reversed the short vs. long legs of the LED, or the solder joints may not be good. Carefully check the joints to rule out soldering. To check for reversed wiring, connect the wires to the battery the opposite way and see if the LEDs that fail to light now light up.  If they do, you did not orient the LEDs properly and you would need to desolder them and flip them around.
 
 
 
===Solder the Centrifugal Force (CF) Switch===
 
The centrifugal force switch will turn on the lights only when the spinner rotates at a certain minimum angular velocity.
 
 
 
One contact is the small wire coming off one side, the other contact is the drum shaped body of the switch. The switch is somewhat more difficult to solder than the LEDs and plain wires. Rosin flux should be applied and you may need to hold the soldering iron on the metal for a longer period to make everything stick. Don't worry, the solder will start to flow. The switch is not a sensitive electronic component so it can take more heat than the LEDs or other circuitry.
 
 
 
Twist the end of the wire coming from the - side of the PCB around the stiff wire coming off the CF switch. Don't get too close to the body of the switch, because if you bridge the wire and the body then the switch will always be "on".  Apply rosin flux and solder.
 
 
 
Insert the CF switch in the 3D printed circuit carrier. The wire side should be facing away from the center of the Fidget Spinner as shown. Route the wire from the - side of the PCB to the CF switch in the groove provided for this purpose.
 
 
 
Lay the end of a 3 inch long piece of wire on the body of the CF switch, and apply some rosin flux, and solder. After removing the soldering iron don't move the CF switch for a few seconds to let the solder set.
 
 
 
===Solder the Battery Holder===
 
The battery holder has a + one one side and three terminals. Place the battery holder into the circuit carrier as shown in the picture below, with the + side on the same side of the carrier as the PCB.
 
 
 
Route the wire attached to the body of the CF switch to the center terminal of the battery holder and wrap it around the terminal. Needle nose pliers might make it easier to get a tight wrap. Apply some rosin flux and solder. It may be easier to solder from the back side of the circuit carrier (the side where the LEDs are poking through the plastic). Trim off excess wire with angle cutters.
 
 
 
===Test the Circuit===
 
You can now test the circuit without even spinning by touching a piece of scrap wire across the CF switch. Join the wire stem to the body using the scrap of wire and the LEDs should all light up.
 
 
 
If some or all of the LEDs do not light up, trace the wiring and check solder connections to make sure everything is solid.
 
 
 
===Insert the Skate Bearing And Balance Weights (Nuts)===
 
 
 
===Screw the Housing Together===
 
 
 
===Have Fun!===
 
 
 
<gallery mode=packed>
 
File:Rainbow-Fidget-Exploded-View-With-Lines.JPG|Exploded view of assembly for 3D printed structures.
 
File:RainbowFidget-adding-flux-toPCB.JPG|
 
File:RainbowFidget-CircuitInserted.JPG|
 
File:RainbowFidget-CircuitInsertedLEDSide.JPG|
 
File:RainbowFidget-PCB-soldered.JPG|
 
File:RainbowFidget-Prep-Solder-Centrifugal.JPG|
 
File:RainbowFidget-SolderingPCBSetup.JPG|
 
File:RainbowFidget-Trim-PCB.JPG|
 
</gallery>
 

Revision as of 15:46, 20 March 2018

The following Vorpal Robotics projects and products are documented on this wiki. This list offers a convenient jump off point to product information.

All of these items can be purchased from the [Vorpal Robotics Store].

Kits

  • Vorpal The Hexapod This is our flagship product! A low cost, 3D-printed, Arduino based, Bluetooth controlled, MIT Scratch programmable Hexapod robot.
  • Vorpal Vase Dazzler This kit allows you to create a base that you can place a 3D printed vase on top of. The base contains addressable RGB LED lights and can make the vase light up in different colors, including fading between colors and twirling or flame flicker type effects. Put together a Vase Dazzler, 3D print one of many open source vase designs, add some 3D printed roses, and you've just made a fantastic gift for Valentine's day, Mother's day, birthdays, graduations, etc.
  • Rainbow Fidget Spinner Is a full color RGB LED lighted fidget spinner that flashes and fades between colors when spun. It uses a centrifugal force switch to automatically power on only when spinning, no on/off switch required. It will light for about 80 hours of spinning time before you need to replace the inexpensive and commonly available CR2032 coin cell battery.

Components

Battery and Power Distribution