Ch 2. Implementation and Assembly Overview

Implementation Steps for Peanut Butter Vector Display (PBVD)

1. Frame Construction

Materials:

Plexiglass Sheets (250mm x 175mm x 5mm) Plexiglass Strips (250mm x 50mm x 5mm) Injection Port Assembly (syringe or funnel with a nozzle, rubber gasket, clamping mechanism) Silicone or Rubber Sealant

Procedure:

Cutting Plexiglass:

• Use a laser cutter or a fine-toothed saw to cut two sheets of plexiglass to the dimensions 250mm x 175mm x 5mm. These will form the front and back panels of the display.
• Cut four strips of plexiglass to the dimensions 250mm x 50mm x 5mm. These will form the side walls of the frame.

Assembling the Frame:

• Arrange the side walls around the perimeter of one of the plexiglass sheets to form a rectangular box. Ensure the edges are aligned precisely.
• Apply silicone or rubber sealant along the edges of the side walls to bond them to the base sheet. Allow the sealant to cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Once the side walls are securely attached, place the second plexiglass sheet on top, aligning it with the edges of the side walls. Seal the top edges using silicone or rubber sealant.

Creating the Injection Port:

• Drill a small hole (sized to fit the nozzle of the injection port assembly) in one of the side walls near the top.
• Insert the rubber gasket into the hole to create a tight seal around the nozzle.
• Attach the injection port assembly (syringe or funnel with a nozzle) to the gasket. Ensure the port is secure and allows for easy injection of peanut butter.

Final Sealing:

• Inspect all seams and joints to ensure there are no gaps or leaks.
• Apply additional sealant as necessary to ensure the frame is completely sealed.

2. Peanut Butter Injection

Materials:

• NIST Standard Peanut Butter (NIST SRM 2387) or PB of your choice (approximately 2.2L, or =~ 0.6 gallon)

Procedure:

Preparing Peanut Butter:

• Ensure the peanut butter is at room temperature for easier injection.
• Stir the peanut butter thoroughly to achieve a uniform consistency.

Injecting Peanut Butter:

• Using the injection port assembly, slowly inject the peanut butter into the frame. Ensure even distribution across the entire display surface to avoid air bubbles.
• Tap the frame gently to help settle the peanut butter and release any trapped air.
• Continue injecting until the frame is filled to the desired thickness (approximately 5cm).

Sealing the Injection Port:

• Once the frame is filled, remove the injection port assembly.
• Insert a plug or cap into the injection port and seal it with silicone or rubber sealant to prevent leakage.

3. Laser Module Installation

Materials:

• 405nm Diode Laser Module (200mW)
• Adjustable Laser Mount

Procedure:

Mounting the Laser Module:

• Secure the 405nm diode laser module onto the adjustable mount.
• Position the mount so that the laser is directed towards the center of the plexiglass frame. Ensure the mount allows for fine adjustments to the laser’s position and angle.

Calibrating the Laser:

• Power on the laser module and use the adjustable mount to align the laser beam with the display plane. The laser should be perpendicular to the surface of the peanut butter.
• Adjust the focus of the laser to achieve a sharp, well-defined beam spot on the peanut butter.

4. Mechanical Yoke System Assembly

Materials:

• NEMA 17 Stepper Motors
• Motor Drivers
• Linear Rails with Carriages (X and Y axes)
• GT2 Timing Belts and Pulleys
• Mounting Hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, brackets)
• Arduino Uno or similar microcontroller

Procedure:

Installing Linear Rails:

• Mount the linear rails onto a stable base, ensuring they are parallel and aligned with the X and Y axes of the display surface.
• Attach the carriages to the rails, ensuring smooth and frictionless movement.

Mounting Stepper Motors:

• Secure the NEMA 17 stepper motors to the base using appropriate brackets. Position the motors so they can drive the carriages along the linear rails.
• Install the GT2 timing belts and pulleys, connecting the motors to the carriages.

Connecting Motor Drivers:

• Connect the stepper motors to the motor drivers, ensuring proper wiring for power and control signals.
• Mount the motor drivers in a safe and accessible location.

Microcontroller Integration:

• Connect the motor drivers to the Arduino Uno or similar microcontroller.
• Upload the control software to the microcontroller, ensuring it can handle vector input and motor control.

5. System Integration and Testing

Materials:

• 12V DC, 5A Power Supply
• Assorted Wiring and Connectors

Procedure:

Power Supply Setup:

• Connect the 12V DC power supply to the microcontroller and motor drivers, ensuring a stable power source.

Wiring and Connections:

• Connect all components (stepper motors, motor drivers, laser module) to the microcontroller using appropriate wiring and connectors.
• Double-check all connections for secure and correct wiring.

System Checks:

• Power on the system and run initial tests to ensure all components are functioning correctly.
• Verify that the stepper motors move smoothly along the linear rails and that the laser module can be precisely controlled.

Calibration and Alignment:

• Fine-tune the alignment of the laser module and the mechanical yoke system to ensure accurate vector scanning.
• Perform calibration procedures to synchronize the movement of the stepper motors with the laser activation.

Conclusion

The successful implementation of the PBVD requires meticulous attention to detail during each construction and assembly step. This novel approach highlights the potential of unconventional materials in creating innovative and sustainable technological solutions, and this project should serve as a guide for researchers and hobbyists alike to create a working PBVD.