It was time to get on with our project. The deadline is coming soon and it will be here anytime now. For the past couple of weeks, we have been focusing on testing and designing our prototype models. We have made two prototypes as of now and are ready to make our final model. Just to remind everyone, our product was the hydration wristband for a FitBit. The first prototype was a cardboard band prototype. That week even figured out the distance between the copper strips for the sensors. The following week we 3-D printed the band to check if the FitBit fits in the bumper or not. Unfortunately for us, we were unable to test out our band as the 3D printer could not print our design properly, the edge of one side of the band kept lifting up and we were sadly left with a strip of plastic. Additionally, we also made the copper circuit with all the wired soldered for the circuit.
This week we spent all the class time in the lab. I was working on the final model for the FitBit on Fusion360. This was the first time I was modeling a design that was designed by me completely. I couldn’t wait to see how it would turn out. I measured the actual FitBit charge 2 parts with a caliper to get the precise measurements so that I could make a perfect sized wristband which would prevent the screen from falling off. I then started printing it with the fully flex and the semi-flex materials. I realized that the flex material is hard to print with as I do not know the exact setting for it. However, to my surprise, the semi-flex material prints just like the regular PLA material. It was amazing to watch our self-designed wristband come to life. I guess my Industrial Design skills was put to test while modeling.
On Tuesday and Wednesday Ana and Ben met up at the FabLab to further work on the programming and moisture sensor. After these two sessions, our sensor is now able to do the following things:
- Blink red 3 times, if the skin moisture is below average/dehydrated.
- Blink blue 3 times, every 3 seconds (this will be changed to every 3 hours, as a this is an estimate of how often a person should drink a cup of water)
- Blink green 3 times, if the skin moisture is too high, such as when a person is perspiring and losing water.
Please enjoy this video of me explaining what is happening with our sensor:
Hey,
You guys are really making a lot of progress in your project and are really far ahead of the game. You are really using the concepts we have learnt in class in designing and prototyping your product. I like how you learnt from your minor mistakes/oversights and quickly made changes to your product by placing yourselves in the position of the final user. I look forward to seeing your finished product and I might end up needing one since I forget to stay hydrated or never had a way to guage if i am.
It seems like you have everything figured out. You and your team have made great progress! This is a very common problem that many people have. I always forget to stay hydrated. It is smart to make a product that will go with the FitBit since that is a very popular product. I can’t wait to see the final product
Hey,
I love your idea, I’m glad to see that your design has come so far in these past couple weeks! Hydration is a very important aspect of health that I don’t think enough people pay attention to, so I’m so glad you guys are designing something to help with that. I’m very impressed with your electrical skills and wish you the best in these upcoming weeks