Actuator Design & Integration

Course: ATS 3008-001

Spring 2007
Friday’s 9am to 4pm, room B-07

Daniel Miller

Email: dmille4@artic.edu
Website: www.artic.edu/~dmille4

Course Description:

Through hands on introduction this course introduces students to the wide range of motors & actuators available for integration in art projects. This course will look at various forms of motor control and the necessary means to power these devices. Through workshops, the class will investigate DC and AC motors, solenoids, electro magnets, relays, pneumatics and other exotic devices.  Students will construct multiple small projects that utilize these systems.  Various examples and media demonstrations will be given showing how artists and scientists employ the use of the various systems covered.

Syllabus:

Our world is in motion, we are surrounded by actuators that print our papers open doors and elevate us throughout buildings.  We have reached a high level of dependence on machines, fully integrating them into every aspect of our daily lives.  As artists we must learn to incorporate the actuators that make are world move.  
            Throughout this course we will be investigating how various devices work and utilize the technology in our projects.  Students will be responsible for the completion of 3 projects this semester. Each project will build on the previous skills and techniques covered.  Your first project we look at pneumatics and the use air cylinders and solenoid valves for movement.  The Second project will investigate controlling & building with stepper motors by harvesting parts from printer drives. The Final project allows students to investigate the actuator of their choice by further developing one of the previous projects or incorporating one of the AC or DC motors we looked at throughout the semester.
Demonstrations of many different electronic components will be given throughout the semester.  Hands on discovery of materials and components is an integral part of this course.  Students are expected to experiment and test the different devices presented.  This investigation of materials and processes will allow students to construct artwork that serves as a visual manual for building future work.  This is an experimental media class; you are encouraged to bring in unique materials and devices to incorporate into your artwork.

Complementing the studio experience, there will be readings, videos, research and critiques.  Readings will be accessible through the course web page located within my web page listed at the top of the first page.  A bibliography for assigned readings and additional reading will be provided.  Video screenings and slides will be shown periodically introducing new artists to the class. Research is an essential component of any studio class and should accompany each project.  Students will submit a project proposal for each project; consisting of a short paragraph description and a sketch. There will be group critiques for each project providing a forum for discussion of readings and research as well.  Students are encouraged to view exhibits and guest lecturers that show or discuss electronic art. Questions and concerns that arise outside of class can be sent to my email.  This proves helpful when students are looking for materials and preparing for class.  Students may also send project proposals by email.

Course Requirements:

Attendance:

Students are expected to attend and participate in each class period. This is a six hour studio course and students are expected to attend the entire day.  If student wishes to work outside of class they must receive permission.  If a student is late 2 times this is the equivalent of 1 absence. If a student has more than 3 absences they will not pass this course, on the fourth absence the student will receive a failing grade.

Participation:

Participation in labs and demonstrations is essential. Students must become familiar with fabrication processes and electronics to complete the assigned projects.  During studio work time access to tools and machinery is in high demand and students should be working in the shop whenever possible.  Students are expected to complete all reading assignments for discussion in class. 

Materials:

Students are expected to obtain their own materials for this course.  Each project will have different supply requirements.  We will discuss how to obtain different materials and students will be given a list of suppliers. The ability to search for and obtain proper materials is essential to building electronic sculpture.  The Electronics / Kinetics Shop can provide fasteners, simple electronic components.  However, Motors and more expensive components are for demonstration only.  The E/K shop will stock pneumatics components for resale.  There are old devices and equipment on the shelves of the classroom that can be harvested for parts in projects.

SPRING 2008
Outline & Calendar
Actuator Design & Integration

(Please note this outline may be revised as the semester progresses.)

Jan.25             

1. Course Intro. & Syllabus/Outline discussion

3. Studio: Shop Authorization.
4. Questionnaire
5. Begin discussion on electronics & electromagnetism.
                        *Reading: Syllabus, Outline and electricity handout.

Section 1:     Survey various types of actuators, looking at mounting & coupling

Feb. 1            

1.Questions on outline.
2. Studio:  Discussion on AC/DC motors, solenoid valves
LUNCH
3. Pneumatics Demo.
4. Assign first project.
                       *Reading: Suppliers list and catalogue.

Feb. 8            

1.Morning: Fastening Demo; drilling, tapping, Mounting Cylinders.
2. Milling demo.
3. Layout basic pneumatic circuit for each project.
4. Get parts for projects.
                        3. Afternoon, Using the Lathe to make Couplings.
                        **Video
           
Feb. 15         

1. Work on projects in class.

Feb. 22         

1. Work on projects in class.

Section 2:     Motor control & Stepper Motors; Students use printer drive as core mechanism for project.

Feb. 29         

1. Morning: Group Critique.
2. Afternoon look at Linear Actuators & Stepper motors.
3. Introduction to the Basic Stamp.
                        **Video.

March 7        

1. Using BS2-IC controller to control steppers.
2. Scavenging linear actuators from printers & scanners.
3. Students work on projects in class.
                       
March 14      

1. Students work on projects.

March 21   NO CLASS – Spring Break

March 28      

1. Students work on projects.

Final:              Final Project, students use one or a combination of the actuators discussed in class.

April 4           

1.Morning Group Critique
2. Afternoon: Assign Final Project
3. Second discussion on DC & AC motors.
                        **Video
           
April 11         

1. Discuss Final Project proposals.
2. Second Demonstration on Motor Control.
3. Students work on projects in class.
                       
April 18         

1. Students work on projects in class.

April 25         

1. Students work on projects in class.

May 2             NO CLASS CRITIQUE WEEK

May 9            

Final Class, Group Critique