Arduino for Artists & Designers with Wits Digital School of the Arts & Hacksaws
Daniel Hirschmann
05/06/2010

Introduction

Physical Computing is an approach to design and making that positions the human at the center of the interaction. By focusing the learning on introductory electronics, sensors, and the Arduino platform, we will create an awareness of the tools available to design and make within this genre.

In this class we're expecting to cover the following:

  • Basics of electronics (please look at Tom Igoe's introduction page)
  • Basics of circuit schematics - reading and writing. (this site is helpful )
  • Introduction to the Arduino   and  (arduino tutorial on sketches). ( code )
  • Introduction to Serial. Please read Lady Ada's outstanding tutorial on Serial Communication
  • How to use a breadboard. ( Arduino lesson on LEDs in Breadboards )
  • What is Pulse Width Modulation ( PWM )
  • How to read a potentiometer (potentiometer
  • All code from class can be downloaded here. It covers:
    • LED blinky
    • Variables and Serial output
    • Analog Input - reading potentiometers and sensors
    • Analog Output - dimming LEDS
    • All sorts of fantastic code techniques
    • Serial INPUT
  • Don't forget to take a look at the ASCII table! when thinking about Serial Input!

  • 06/06/2010

    In this class we're expecting to cover the following:

  • Recap of all the things we did yesterday
  • Dim an LED up and down and increase the speed of it using a potentiometer.
  • Introduction to the Light Dependent Resistor
  • Look at Ladyada's excellent tutorial on connecting an LDR
  • Digital Inputs using a switch
  • Using a state machine
  • Brief demo of a RC Servo Motor using the Servo Library
  • Brief demo of the TLC5940 - 16 channel PWM shift register. Find out more about ithere
  • All code from class can be downloaded here. It covers:
    • Recap from yesterday
    • Reading an LDR
    • Reading a switch
    • Using the switch to brighten an LED
    • Using a switch only once - the moment its pressed
    • Using states

  • Notes

    Resources: Arduino's in South Africa

  • Aarduino - the South African version of Arduino
  • Arduino Duemillanove - from RS components in SA
  • Arduino Duemillanove - from Netram Technologies
  • Resources: Electronic Parts and other cool stuff in South Africa

  • AP Electronics
  • Netram
  • Mantech
  • RS Components
  • Resources: Arduino components

  • Oomlout - for all the basic arduino prototyping components
  • Cool Components - for Arduino prototyping and advanced components (they have lilpads)
  • SKPang - for Arduino prototyping and more advance components (they have lilypads)
  • Robotiq - Some Arduino components and robotic sensors / motors
  • Sparkfun - One of the originals stores! For all sorts of components. Based in the US
  • Ada Fruit Industries - for all sorts of components and great tutorials. Based in the US
  • Acroname - Good for robotics and sensors
  • Resources: Electronic Components

  • Maplins - there are many stores around the UK. Their website isnt too bad either.
  • Farnell - Massive electronic components and tools distributors
  • RS Components - Massive electronic components and tools distributors
  • Rapid - Massive electronic components and tools distributors
  • Resources: Basic Tools

  • Larger bread board - Good for extending the size of a prototype before soldering.
  • Wire Strippers - Very helpful to quickly make wires bread board friendly.
  • Multimeter - One of the most important debugging tools you will ever have!
  • art  |  projects  |  contact   | thanks to Tom Igoe, and ITP for the incredible resources