Project Specifications and Constraints

For my project, I plan on building a scaled down replica of a record player that includes recognizable aspects and aesthetics from my favorite bands from the 70’s and 80’s.

Specifications:

  1. The main specification that I have for my project is recognizability of the band aesthetics that I choose to include. The aesthetic is the main aspect of my project and will make the project more than just a record player replica. Being able to recognize what each design choice is supposed to represent will catch the eye of those who know the reference and will help tie together why I choose to make a record player as the “canvas” for these aesthetics.
  2. For the moving component of my project I have decided to include a motor that will spin the vinyl . This aspect of my project is important for me to complete because it will add a little suprise to those who are seeing it for the first time. At first it will just look like a small record player model but once it begins to spin with variable speeds it will become something more that just an eye-catcher, but rather something to interact with too.
  3. I want to add pops of color to draw the eye of the audience. I intend to use a prism to try to project a rainbow to resemble Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album cover. Adding LED lights is also a way I would like to accent some of these aesthetic choices as well.
  4. I want to include a volume knob on the front of the project that can vary the speed of the spinning record to increase the interactive aspect of the project.
  5. A lid that closes to protect the fragile pieces of the project while not in use while also adding to the accuracy of the replica of a record player.

Constraints:

  1. My final constraint would likely be time. With many other assignments and projects going on for my this semester it sill be difficult to find time to allocate to my project. Ideally I want to make a schedule or a list of goals to accomplish toward my project each week up till the due date to keep myself on track to finish
  2. Ideally I would like to keep the budget for this project below $100. I think the most expensive parts of the project will be the motor,LED lights, and Arduino. However, this should still leave me some breathing room for the raining materials while not making me have to cut corners.
  3. I want the finished project to be relatively light-weight (less than 5 lbs). The use of 3D printing the main structure of the build should help with this greatly and making the model as hallow as possible without compromising structural integrity.
  4. I currently am constrained on 3D printing because I have never had to do it for a project, so I plan on taking the 3D printing workshop through the ITLL to be able to use the 3D printers in the ITLL and Idea Forge.
  5. I am also contained on the use of motors and LED’s with Arduino. I have played around with these before, but implementing them to control certain aspects of a project will be new to me and involve some internet research to achieve my ideal final project.

Classic Rock Bands Of The 70s

Arduino Nano 33 IoT

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11696

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Side_of_the_Moon

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9288

Previous Post
Specifications and Constraints for Visual Board
Next Post
Top 5 Specifications, Top 5 Constraints

2 Comments. Leave new

  • Grady Forsyth
    April 2, 2023 3:44 pm

    Hi Grant,

    This a super unique idea and I’m looking forward to seeing the final output! It seems like you’re going for a nice blend between style and something that can function given the time constraints. Your idea to create a detailed plan to manage time is great. I think I will consider doing this myself.

    Reply
  • Peter Jakubczak
    March 31, 2023 11:13 am

    Hi Grant,
    I think this is a super cool idea and I like where you’re going with it. Have you decided how you are going to hide the electronics?

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Grady Forsyth Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.