Summer is almost here and while you prepare a list of thing you want to do. Here is an DIY electronic idea that you can get started with before summer is here, to add wow factor to your flying disc aka "frisbee", for some evening fun at the beach or a near by Park.

So fire up you 3D printer and print the stl files attached in step 1 and add NeoPixels to your flying frisbee to make if glow and change color.

In addition add a fast vibration sensor to the Adafruit Gemma which will trigger the NeoPixels to glow when you fly/catch the frisbee..

Step 1: 3D Print the STL Files Attached

Download the 3D printing software that your printer supports, in my case I am using the Printrbot Simple Metal which use Repetier-Host as a software to

Slice the STL files attached,which basically means cutting the part into various layers
And send commands to the 3D printer while printing

In my case I am using the following filaments HATCHBOX 1.75mm Transparent PLA and Makerbot True Red PLA.

Download the STL files attached

For the FlyingDiscLid.stl

slicing should take about a 5-7 seconds
and printing should take about 15- 20 mins base on your printer settings.

and FlyingDisc_Gemma_Base.stl

slicing should take about a 45-50 seconds
and printing should take about 40- 50 mins.

Step 2: Gather the Components You'll Need for the Build

Here are the components you'll need for the build

Electronic components

Adafruit Gemma
NeoPixels
Lipo Battery
Fast vibration sensor
Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire - 2m 26AWG(this is thinner and more flexible compared to breadboarding wire)
Screw(32x1/2 in) to hold the 3D printed parts together
Lipo charger - Micro USB

In addtion you'll need the following

Soldering Iron and Solder
Super glue (in my case I am using E6000)
Bread board and Alligator clips to test the Circuit before Soldering
Mini USB cable to program the Gemma using your Ardunio IDE on your Mac/PC

Step 3: Breadboard the Circuit

It is always a good idea to breadboard the circuit before Soldering it all together

Using alligator clips connect a NeoPixel to the Gemma

Connect the +ve on the NeoPixel to Vout on the Gemma
Connect the -ve to GND
and connect the Din(Data In) on the NeoPixel to D1 on Gemma

Connect the fast vibration sensor to the Gemma which will act as a switch

Insert the vibration sensor into the breadboard
Connect on end vibration sensor to 3V on the Gemma
and the other end to D0

Step 4: Upload the Code to the Gemma

To upload code attached to the Gemma you will have to download Adafruit's version of the Arduino IDE and install it on you computer.

For complete details on how to, follow this link

https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-trinket/set...

In addition as part of the setup you will have to download the NeoPixel library from the following link https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-trinket/set...

Place the downloaded library in the /Arduino/Libraries folder and restart your IDE.Once you IDE is back up ensure that you see File > Examples >Adafruit_NeoPixel > strandtest, which means you have completed the setup successfully.

Now Download the code file attached Using the Arduino IDE Open the file (from the menu select File > Open)

Next select the type of programer as show in the screenshot (Tools > Programmer > USBtinyISP)

Also select the board you are using (Tools > Board > Adafruit Gemma 8MHz )

Now press the button located just below the chip on the Gemma, wait for Red light to blink bright red and then upload the code to the Gemma (File > Upload)

Once done in about a couple of second you should see your Neopixel turn off..Run a quick test as shown in the video by taping the fast Vibration sensor..

Flyingdisc_Gemma_Neopixel2_FastVib.ino
Download

Step 5: Solder the Components

Solder two NeoPixels together using Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire.

connect +ve from one NeoPixel to the +ve of the other(red wire)
connect the -ve to -ve(black wire)
And connect Dout of the NeoPixel that is going to be connected to the Gemma to Din of the second NeoPixel.(blue wire)

Solder the NeoPixels to the Gemma

Solder the +ve on the NeoPixel to Vout on the Gemma
Connect the -ve to GND
and connect the Din(Data In) on the NeoPixel to D1 on Gemma

Connect the fast vibration sensor to the Gemma which will act as a switch

Solder on end vibration sensor to 3V on the Gemma
And the other end to D0

Now once you done with the soldering connect the Lipo battery to the JST female end of the Gemma and tap the fast vibration sensor to validate that the NeoPixels glow.

Step 6: Glue the Parts Together

Use E6000 or super glue to attach the NeoPixels to the semi transparent base 3D printed part as show in the picture above.

In addition glue the red 3D printed to the frisbee. Press and hold for a couple of mins till the super glue drys off..

Step 7: Using Double Stick Foam Tape to Secure the Gemma and Lipo Battery

Cut a small piece of double sided foam tape and secure the lipo into the transparent 3D printed base.

Then cut another piece and secure the Gemma to the 3D printed Lid which is glued to the frisbee.

Step 8: Screw the Lid to the Base

Now connect the Lipo battery to the JST female end of the Gemma and tap the fast vibration sensor to validate that the NeoPixels glow.

Using a 32x1/2 in screw and a screw driver secure the base to the lid of the frisbee as shown in the picture above.

Step 9: Flying the Disc

Congratulations you have successfully completed the build.

Now get the the nearest park with a couple of friends, when the sun is about to set and play a game of catch with your frisbee that lights up when you throw the disc, or a friends catches the disc.