Steampunk Gyroscope

Team 5 is making a steampunk-style gyroscope; the project will include mechanical and electrical components by having rings rotate around the base. The aim of this project is to deliver an instructable to individuals with a high school level of knowledge of circuitry and access to basic tools. For the instructable, the intention is to create a step-by-step process to include all of the project's wiring, code, and building processes.  

Supplies

Supplies needed: LED lights for breadboard, Attiny85, 3V watch battery, Watch battery holder, Protoboard, 2x switches, Galvanized Hanger Strap, Wood box, Stepper Motor & driver board, polycarbonate Lexan, Arduino Uno, Resistors, Wiring, and solder.

Below there is a document attached to the links where you can order these items

Step 1: Tools Required

The tools needed to complete this project: drill and bits, soldering iron, coping saw, and a hot glue gun.

Step 2: Drill Hole for Power Cord

In the wooden box, place the Arduino controller on one side and mark the power connector with a sharpie on where you want to drill. Remove the Arduino and use a half-inch drill bit to drill into the box. The power cord should fit through the hole you created.

Step 3: Drill Hole for Switches

For the switch, holes use a quarter-inch drill bit for the holes and make sure that the holes are a 3 inch apart. Only the threaded part of the switch should go through the hole. There is a nut that goes through the top of it to secure it.

Step 4: Drill Hole for Stepper Motor

For the stepper motor, make holes using a 1/2 in drill (just make sure the wires can go through the upper surface of the box).

Step 5: Programming the Microcontrollers

First, follow the linked tutorial on how to program an Attiny85 using the Arduino Uno as a programmer. Once this is done upload the included "Blink2.ino" to the Attiny85. Next, use a hex uploader of your choice (can be found online) to upload the included "Arduino Uno Stepper Drive.hex" to the Uno.

Step 6: Build and Soldering the LED Board

Place the chip at the center of the board. Place 5 LEDs to the board at the location shown in the figure, and put 5 of the 330 ohms resistors to the correct spot as shown. Connect 4 wires as shown. place the wires of the power switch to the board as shown. (Please make sure all the components are at the correct spot, and make sure you are looking at the correct side of the board when you build it). Carefully soldering the board. Put the battery into the power switch. (Test: if you flip the switch, the LEDs should be flashing).

Step 7: Wiring the Electronics

First, wire all the electrical components according to the included schematic. Next, place all of the components into the box and run the stepper motor wire through the drilled hole at the top of the box. Once all the components are in a satisfactory location tape or glue them down so they will not move around. Lastly, connect the power to the Arduino and make sure the green power light on the board turns on.

Step 8: Making the Core

When making the core, use a hacksaw to cut into polycarbonate Lexan. To make the shape use the pdf provided

Step 9: Making the Rings

A total of 3 rings are going to be made. Labeled as inner ring, middle ring, and outer ring. Carefully soldering the edges of the ring together so that it is stable. You are going to do it for all three rings.

Step 10: Attach the Rings Together

(Please carefully look at the position in which the machine screws are inserted, and make sure you are following it exactly.)

Connect the inner ring and middle ring by using 1/2 in machine screws and nuts. Connect the middle ring and outer ring by using 1/2 in machine screws and nuts. Also, add washers to the lower right screw as shown in the figure.

Step 11: Drill Hole on the Core and Connect to the Inner Rings

Find two opposite surfaces and mark down the center position of that surface. Drill a 1/2 in hole on both of the surfaces. Connect the core and the inner rings by using 1/2 in machine screw.

Step 12: Drill Hole for the Support

Drill 4 1/2 inches holes on the box(shown in the figure). Connect the support straps to the box by using screws and nuts. You can bend the straps a little bit so that the holes on the box and the straps can match.

Step 13: Making the Support Between the Box and Rings

Fold a long piece of galvanized hanger strap in two so that the small hole is folded in half. This will allow the large holes to be lined up. At the bottom flare out both sides to allow screws to fit in and hold it down. Bend the support inwards to fit it on the box. Do this to both sides. The support with the motor will need a long screw on the inside to rest the motor on.

Step 14: Attach the Stepper Motor to the Rings

Hot glue the spinning needle of the stepper motor to the lower right side screw of the outer ring. (shown in the figure). Also, add support to the motor by applying glue to the side of the support as well as the screw that will be underneath the motor.

Note: An alternative method is to use couplings to attach the shaft of the motor to the machine screw that is used as an axel for the second ring. While this method costs a little more and will likely push you above the $100 budget it will make the connection between the motor and the rings more solid and long-lasting.

Example Coupling: https://www.amazon.com/BQLZR-Aluminum-Coupling-Coupler-Connector/dp/B0159WOA4K

Step 15: Final Testing

The final step is to test the functionality of the gyroscope you built.

After you have completed all the steps above correctly, flip the switches. The rings should be rotating. You can flip the right switch to adjust the rotating speed and stop the rotation by flipping the left side switch.

Congratulations! you have successfully built a gyroscope.