THE PROCESS.

During this sprint we were focused on developing a proof of concept of our systems. Within this, we ensured we could detect a laser using the photodiode. We found we needed to use some sort of filter on the diode to ensure we were isolating for the color wavelengths our laser was. We used a red expo marker to cover the photodiode. The second thing we worked on was outputting tones to a speaker through the Arduino. We used Arduino’s tone function to do this. Our final test for this sprint was integrating the photodiode with the speaker. We successfully were able to play a tone through the speaker when the photodiode was detected.

We got a lot of input and advice about the software vs electrical audio. More than the majority of the survey takers said we needed to flesh out the software side of this project with mechanical system being our second priority.

SPRINT 1 SLIDE DECK

For this sprint, we put together the whole structure with the lasers and electrical system the night before and took a video for the sprint review. In the sprint, we were able to (mostly) meet our mvp and be able to play notes after the user input. After we presented our sprint review, we seemed to not have explained the overall system super well and had a few questions regarding that. We received some feedback on overall concerns about our project. One of the main topics was the size of the circuit we’re dealing with and fitting that into our system. Additionally, many were impressed by what we accomplished on the electrical side.

Kyle, our saviour, told us about how we can set where the voltage goes and pass through each laser individually and fast enough so that it looks like all of them are on. Stan also told us the lasers need a resistor in series and that we need to measure the current across the laser.

SPRINT 2 SLIDE DECK

After a long night of hard work (staying up to 4am) we accomplished the ability to play multiple notes in both the electrical and mechanical system. After a few hours of trying to calibrate the system (mechanically) we decided to not use the mirrors at all. After the sprint review, we received feedback on the mechanical mounting system and are pivoting to having the lasers permanently mounted on the copper pipe while the mirrors will be adjustable.

SPRINT 3 SLIDE DECK

For our final sprint, we remade the entire structure, (partially) got the ADSR working, aligned the lasers and photodiodes, and added aesthetics like neopixels and a spray painted acrylic false bottom (phew!). We made significant progress toward our stretch goals of having a unique sound and implementing the ADSR (which works for one note!). Aligning the lasers took significantly longer than we had anticipated, and they moved around frequently as we were working until we eventually super glued them in place. We all felt so accomplished and triumphant when we got everything lined up and assembled, especially because all the parts were replaced with newer versions and several components of the system were entirely new. People seemed to have a lot of fun playing with our final product on demo day, and we’re all really proud of the progress we made.

FINAL SPRINT SLIDE DECK