Tom DeVito 9.17.2011-9.28.2011

  • The arduino side of the programming has one major error but seems to be working otherwise.   The object instantiates properly and most functions are working.  The simulation registers the contact event, but mutes the amplifier right after it starts playing.  This is probably something simple so I decided to build the hardware before looking into it further.
  • While trying to get the classes to work right I found that you need to make objects of other classes public.  I think this has to do with how the IDE links everything together because all dependent classes have to be included in the main sketch.
  • The debugger is not as bad as I thought in the arduino ide.  It will report errors in the included classes, not just the sketch.  It still doesn’t help with run time errors or things that you might want to step through.
  • The prototype is about 60% wired and assembled.  I positioned the speakers closer to the finger tip pressure sensors to increase the difference from when the speaker is playing verse resonance of another speaker playing.
  • I was able to use our Wheatstone bridge PCBs as a voltage divider circuit for the pressure sensors.  This made assembly much easier.
  • Wired all the high powered amplifiers as well as attached leads to be connected to the low-powered amplifiers once the electronics are ready.
  • Soldered three more amplifiers and one more rheostat to the break out boards.  Was reminded how much flux helps when doing this.
  • The midi boards still need to be wired, the 3 low-powered amps as well as the 2 rheostats need their circuits completed, all the loose leads need to be connected to their proper places and it will be done.
  • Assembly should be complete by the time I leave Monday.