Tree Tidy - a Functional Desktop Decoration (Prototype Build)
Introduction: Tree Tidy - a Functional Desktop Decoration (Prototype Build)
Everyone loves a good desktop decoration. We can also agree that keeping our desks clean is great. So why not combine both? In this Instructable I'll show you how to make a desktop item that combines aesthetics and cleanliness to create (in my very biased opinion) the best desktop item ever conceived.
Just like the majority of us I have been working at home for some time now and I have started to become more aware of the fact that my desk is a mess- think an episode of Hoarders then reduce the severity by about 3. Still pretty bad. Finally deciding to do something about it I cleared it all out and was left with a nice empty desk, at which point I could start repopulating. It was at this stage however, that I realised I had no pen pot and that buying a nice pen pot online can get pretty expensive. And so after a very long creative dry spell I finally had a problem to be solved.
Now, before I jump into the thick of this, I just want to point out that the item made in this Instructable is a prototype of my idea (hence the slightly sub-par quality). This is just because I don't have too much free time right now so I've settled for a quick and simple version. Feel free to let me know what you think about the idea so far and how you think I could improve it down in the comments below. Who knows, I may use your ideas in the final build.
Supplies
* Arduino Nano x1
* Solderless breadboard x1
* Solderless breadboard wires (M-M x3), (M-F x39)
* Resistors (2kΩ x1), (220Ω x3)
* IR receiver module x1
* IR remote x1
* Breadboard power supply module x1
+ A 9v battery and adaptor would also be wise.
* RGB LEDs x3
* Green LEDs x9
* Plenty of cardboard
* Latching/Non-Momentary switch button x1
Quick disclaimer: these are all variants of the components I used that I found on Amazon, I am not endorsed in any way so please feel free to look elsewhere or find better deals other than the ones provided.
Step 1: Design
The first thing I did here was to draw some quick sketches - nothing fancy, just slipping down some quick ideas (Image 1). I was initially planning to make the decoration aspect simple; nothing more than some LEDs attached to a battery, but then I saw there was a microcontroller contest and decided I wanted in on the action.
After the initial designs I chose my favourite one and drew it out larger with some dimensions too (Image 2). 51
It is at this stage you can really go to town on the one idea and add as many cool features as you like. Because of this I always go for whatever has the most potential whenever I can't decide which of my ideas I like most. For this project I decided to have an infrared remote that controlled some RGB LEDs. So I added that into the design.
Now I was almost ready to start prototyping. Almost. I always need a name for a project otherwise it is forever referred to as 'The Project' as though I'm a helmet-loving Mandalorian engineer.
After some brainstorming I came up with:
- The LED Tree & Pen Pot
- LED Tree Tidy
- Pen Pot Tree
- Decorated Pen Pot
- And a few more, but I won't write them all out here.
And so after much thinking I settled on 'Tree Tidy'. Short, succinct, and it has alliteration so my English teachers can finally be proud of me.
Step 2: Interior (Electronics)
After finishing the design stage I like to gather together all the components I think I will need, that way I get *mise en place* as the cooks say. I recommend this to everyone as you are less likely to find yourself with extended delays in the middle of the build as you wait for parts to arrive; just order them all at the start and they should arrive by the time you get to using them. Or you can practice your 'Escobar on a bench' if you like, that is entirely up to you.
Once we have the parts we can start piecing them together. Always start with basic functionality and work your way out to more complex/ non-core stuff. This way if you run out of time and need to drop something you haven't stunted yourself by having a core feature of your build missing. When making Tree Tidy I started with the IR remote and made a simple circuit to turn a single LED on and off. 51