3D Printing and Button Debouncing

The 3D printer had more lessons to teach once it was put together and working. After several successes and failures in printing, it decided Luke needed to fix some wires to keep it running smoothly. Back in action, it went to stay with Phill for awhile so he could focus on printing while Luke switched to working on the electronics and programming elements. 

Phill designed and printed a way to mount the spool of filament. 

Luke working with an oscilloscope and Leonardo to debounce buttons.

(Luke's learning about surface mount soldering. This is a tiny chip to put in place!)

If you don't know what debouncing is (and perhaps your first thought was Rabbit wishing to debounce Tigger—hey, we've got a toddler in the house) then here is a handy definition from Whatis.com:

"Bouncing is the tendency of any two metal contacts in an electronic device to generate multiple signals as the contacts close or open; debouncing is any kind of hardware device or software that ensures that only a single signal will be acted upon for a single opening or closing of a contact" (Margaret Rouse TechTarget). 

If you find your TV remote doesn't respond correctly when punching buttons, likely it wasn't debounced. Your computer keys, however, should register only the single signals as you type so you shouldn't want to throw the keyboard the way you might throw your remote. 

Some Assembly Required

With a clean workspace, a sturdy table, and most of the materials ready and waiting, it was time to really get started on the project. Assembling the 3D printer was a painstaking process. Luke and Phillip Thomas spent the majority of one day building it. Though lots more work than just buying a pre-built model, it was a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the machine. 

Phill:  "All the parts just fit together. This will be easy!"

Turns out there was more than just matching screws to holes. Calibrating the machine was no easy step. 

10 hours later...

Once test chips could be printed it became "Goldilocks and The Three Bears": This one's too rough, that one's too thick, that one's not square; This one's too hot, this one's too cold. Oh no! this one scratched the bed. Try, try again. Many days of failed prints followed.

Finally, Luke was able to print without scratching the bed.

 But he still hasn't figured out how to remove the prints without stripping the tape off as well.

These are the first three prototype button mounts, designed by Phillip Thomas. The buttons snap easily into the mounts, which interlock tightly with LEGO bricks.

This is a sample 2x6 layout that combines buttons with LEGO support.

With the 3D printer in action and progress being made, the excitement around here is contagious! Special shout-out to Daddy's little helper—when he wasn't throwing LEGO bricks around the garage!

Getting the Green Light

The Styra Project is up and running!

After much pacing and checking of his e-mail again and again, Luke happily reported that Balihoo accepted his application for a grant to purchase a 3D printer and materials to start building keyboard prototypes. What an amazing company to support this and other projects that center around giving! Does your company do that?

With funds assured, Luke sat down and looked over his plan of what printer and filament to buy and what other essential parts and pieces he needed to get started. He completed his order, and what do you know but the printer is already here! It came as a kit, so it will have to be assembled. Before doing that, the next step was to clean up the lab/workshop, and build a sturdy table for a work surface. Thanks goes out to Herb Ankrum for the time, tools, and skills on a Sunday afternoon putting together an awesome table.

Now Luke just has to figure out how to sleep tonight when all he wants to do is create and build!

Beginnings

Styra: Swedish—to control, steer, guide, or direct

Background:  

I have a cousin named Andrew who was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. He is confined to a wheelchair and has extremely limited range of motion in his upper body. He is able to move one arm slowly and can touch keys on a keyboard with one finger; however, the buttons on a traditional keyboard are too close together and he may fall over if he has to reach across the keyboard to press buttons on the side opposite to his working arm. It is not even possible for him to press the shift key and a letter at the same time to make a capital letter. He is unable to use a mouse or touchpad and traditional trackballs are too small for him to manipulate. His world is limited to what he can experience from his chair or where his parents can carry him.

I am not a believer that technology is the cure for all the problems in the world. I know that technology is not a replacement for human contact and social interaction. That said, I believe that technology can open a world to Andrew, and people in similar circumstances, that many of us take for granted: a world of texting, e-mail, Twitter and—heaven forbid— Facebook. I started the groundwork for this project nearly a year ago, but it wasn’t until the last few weeks that I was able to put together a team with the skills necessary to make this project successful.

Project Summary:   

The Styra Project is an open framework for developing customizable assistive technology devices to help disabled individuals interact with computer systems. Summer 2015 we will design and prototype three keyboard / mouse type input devices that can be customized for use by individuals who struggle with traditional keyboard designs. There are commercially available solutions, however these are expensive and can run into the $1000 to $10,000 range. Our goal is that someone with access to a 3D printer and some electronics background will be able to build one of our designs for less than $200. All the source code, schematics and 3D printer designs will be made publicly available on GitHub under an open license agreement.

The Team:

• Luke Hindman (Balihoo):  I have an MS degree in Computer Science with a background in electronics and embedded software development. During my time at Balihoo I have planned and coordinated dozens of successful projects while working on the systems team.
• James Hatmaker (Balihoo):  James has a BS degree in Computer Science and an extensive background in robotics, electronics, software development and mechanical design. James’ ability to work with 3D designs and see potential problems will be invaluable for this project.
• Phillip Thomas (HP):  Phillip has a BS in Computer Information Systems and a background in design and 3D printing. He currently volunteers at the Boise Public Library each Friday teaching courses in 3D printing.
• Andrew Jepson:  Andrew has graciously accepted the role of test engineer. He has 18 years experience living with cerebral palsy and is the most qualified of any of us to understand the needs and limitations of someone with that condition.

This team has the passion and skills to see the successful completion of the core goals for this project, but there will be opportunities for others to contribute along the way.