28 John H. Finley III Way, Framingham, MA 01701, 508-834-7855
Member Projects
The latest fire art project made at Framingham Makerspace and the Worcshop. Organ pipes are behind the dragon wings and run on propane which is ignited when note is played. It is played with a MIDI keyboard. Materials funded by an art grant from a regional Burning Man event.
We are repurposing some older iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaners as robotic learning platforms. One goal is to mount a Raspberry Pi with WiFi and camera and have the Roomba follow a colored ball (it’s been done but…). We could explore simple algorithms like birds flocking and related emergent behavior if we get enough of them. Also as a learning platform to play with “Robot Operating System” (ROS2). These are a good basic robot platform and are inexpensive if you can find a cheap older (500 or 600 series) Roomba at a yard sale. Replacement batteries are about $20 and they have a serial port (5V TTL level) for communication and control. Lots of library support out there also. We now have a group of us at FMS that are getting familiar with this platform and can help others who want to convert one.
This work should feed directly into the electric wheelchair robot project. Same software functionality but on a larger more capable platform.
If you have an older iRobot Roomba vacuum that you would like to donate contact us at info@framinghammakerspace.org
Two of our members are in the process of making LED staffs. These consist of a clear tube with individually addressable RGB LED strip inside, battery, power supply, Arduino and various sensors.
Here are some pictures of machining the battery holder end for the staff.
Some of us have been working together with Fireseed Arts (http://www.fireseedarts.com) for a while on various projects. Here is an LED installation that was just installed on their stage. Made from recycled white tubes with individually addressable LED strips controlled with an Arduino (https://www.arduino.cc/).
Scrolling LED sign driven with Raspberry Pi
Three fire breathing dragons attended their first festival. Funded with an art grant from Firefly Arts Collective and made at Framingham Makerspace with participation from David, Gesa, Brian, Tim and David.
Here is a link to Seth’s competition robot
Check out the first test of my VersaDrive. It looks ever so slightly wobbly. I think the root of the problem is the bearing alignment.