i.saralynn

Hi, I'm not sure. It seems like this ribbon doesn't have the ability to stretch, and the set up I created uses the thread/elastic yarn combo as a stretch sensor. If the material cannot stretch, then you won't see a change in the resistance/numbers. I'd try pulling it with your hands to see if you see any noticeable change in the numbers that way, but it seems like it's probably not a stretchy enough material to be sensitive enough to breath.

I will add this sensor isn't a like perfectly fine tuned machine obviously, it can be finicky. For example data might vary greatly from person to person based on how tight the strap is around a person or where the person is breathing from (the chest or lower in the stomach.. depending on the person it can sit lower or higher on the torso to work best), how deep they are breathing. There is probably a way to code this into consideration, just fyi.

I'm sure it's possible. You'd first have to create a code to determine when a breath is taken based off the raw data (probably something like when there is a certain increase/decrease in the numbers over a certain period of time = breath taken. Then how many of those happen each minute that happens. Then output that number to an LCD screen. I'm sure you can search for other projects that do this with heart pulse sensors and find something helpful. I personally haven't tried to do it specifically.

Hi, I used Arduino's serial monitor in this tutorial (as noted in step 6) to see the incoming raw numbers from the sensor, but it does not calculate any respiratory rate or graph. You could use this raw incoming data and send it to any software you like to make your own code/calculations/graph if you wanted. This tutorial just simply shows you how to get the raw data into your computer. For a simple graph you could try using Arduino's Serial Plotter: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/arduino-serial-plotter-new-tool/

Hi, can you please provide a link to where you bought the drip solenoid valve from? Thank you!

Hi, can you please provide a link to where you bought the drip solenoid valve from? Thank you!

I'm not sure, I've never tried it, you'll just have to test it out. I think it should work, but there is a possibility it might be too thin to get a strong reading and you'll probably need to play around with what resistor works best. Let me know what you find!

How did you cut the 6x6 in. square in half? Or how do recommend cutting it in half if your square is too big to cut on a chop saw?

Hi Paul, I'm not sure what you mean. If you used a flex sensor, then you wouldn't need this knitted sensor. I haven't tried using flex sensors to capture breathing, let me know how it goes! I came across this article https://makezine.com/2015/02/17/what-to-sense/ , which shows a flex sensor capturing some bending movement in clothing, but I'm skeptical it would work well in a band around the waist, would maybe need to be quite long? You'll just have to test it out.

Hi, I don't remember exactly, but you don't need too much (it's based on how thick and long you want the band to be)... 45 meters would definitely be plenty... probably more like 10 meters would be a safe amount. A good guestimating formula would be if your band is 30 inches long, and 10 stitches wide...30x10=300in. 300in. = 7.62meters + a few meters extra for safe measure = 10 meters.

In the pic it looks like the yellow wire might not be plugged in all the way? The color of the wires doesn't matter, a wire is a wire, the colors are just a tool to help you keep track of which one is the power/ground etc. Did you try it without the LED and set it up like my schematic exactly? Also try different resistor strengths, did you try the one I recommended? The colored bands on the resistor tell you what strength it is.

Also make sure the alligator clips are clipped to the conductive thread not the yarn... I had a thicker conductive thread so maybe you aren't getting a good connection there. It looks like you are pinching the yarn and not the thread.

Hi, did you try my trouble shooting steps? What are you using for the conductive yarn? Sounds like something isn't connected, use a volt meter to test all your connections and try using different resistors, and try connecting your alligator clips directly on a piece of conductive yarn.

Are you trying to use the piezo to detect breathing? I don't think that will work if that's the case because it can't sense the stretching, it can sense pressure, but the pressure would always be the same tightness around the waist/chest I believe. It never hurts to test anyways though. Let me know what you find!If you just want to just read the analog serial data coming from the piezo you don't need libraries. I've found Libraries are usually only needed for more complicated sensors or code, and a tutorial will tell you what Library to use if it is needed. Also, Arduino comes pre-downloaded with some libraries so you really shouldn't need to worry about them at all until you try more advanced projects.More info about Libraries: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Libraries

Hi, I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that would be fine. You should probably set up your hardware like it is in this tutorial but still use the "AnalogReadSerial" sketch:https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Knock

Hi! I don't think the thread would work as well as the yarn, but it's worth testing! I can't remember if I tried using thread or not in the past...Let me know what you find! I'm guessing the thread might make it harder to detect the changes in resistance/produce smaller overall changes that make the breaths hard to detect. You also might need to try using different resistors to amplify the signal enough. I imagine because the thread is thinner it might have an overall weaker signal being sent through it.

Hey! Sorry for the slow reply, it looks like Adafruit has some! https://www.adafruit.com/product/603

So I replaced the motor with a new one and it is quieter than the one I was using... maybe that one was starting to fail and I just didn't notice how it got louder over time. Do you have a specific recommendation for using an actuator with a longer shelf life? I think I'd rather pay the higher cost than having to trek to a gallery and baby sit it during an exhibition. I haven't been able to find a solenoid that seems comparable to what these motors do.

Gotchya, thank you for the advice!

I should add I am using just the kick drum portion of this project that is part of an art piece that will be on 7 hours a day for two months, and beating every 1-40 seconds during those 7 hours. (hence concern about durability)

Is there a risk of the motor (door lock actuators) burning out? Aren't they not designed to be triggered so often? Mine get warm fast. Also does anyone have a noise problem with their motors or know of a way to dampen them? Mine are practically as loud as the drum. Thank you!

Hi! I agree with the noise issue. Do you have a specific recommendation on what to swap it out with? I don't need it to connect with midi, just looking for a motor/solenoid that is quieter and can be mounted in a similar way like it is for the kick drum portion of this project.