gfish: (Default)
gfish ([personal profile] gfish) wrote2009-06-17 02:38 pm

Electromechanical Sunglasses IV

I'm in Portland for the Open Source Bridge conference until Friday. My presentation is tomorrow, and I should really finish the slides. But I spent the weekend writing sample SIFT matching and object classifier applications, so the hard part is done. (I'll post the slides and links to the code once it's all done.)

I also got a complete test frame for the sunglasses cut out of wood. Unfortunately, they cracked as I was drilling the gear mounts on them. (Normally, I would drill first, but I wanted to start getting experience with the new jeweler's saw.) So, I'm going to give up on the wood frame idea. They're just too fragile, and I don't want them breaking on the playa.



(Oh god, I do so hate my cellphone camera.)

I also got the electronics completely working, with the photoresistor integrated and everything tested with the new miniature servo I ordered. Next step: a real metal frame, once I have access to my drillpress again next week.

[identity profile] tfabris.livejournal.com 2009-06-17 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
It occurs to me that, in order for them to be properly steampunk, they need to be goggles.

Possibly *helpful* on the playa...

[identity profile] tylik.livejournal.com 2009-06-17 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Pretty!

So, if I may ask, what is the current deal with your degree plans?

[identity profile] gfish.livejournal.com 2009-06-23 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Graduate... sometime this fall? I should be working on my thesis right now.

[identity profile] tylik.livejournal.com 2009-06-23 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
...and this is the Master's? (I mean, you started about the same time I did, right?)

[identity profile] gfish.livejournal.com 2009-06-23 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, a Master's. And then I'm done! I need to go work on random different projects again, this focusing on one thing for month after month does not suit me. And machine oil. I need more machine oil in my life.

[identity profile] ionan.livejournal.com 2009-06-17 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
What kind of wood are you using? With the proper wood, the saw would break before your project does.

[identity profile] gfish.livejournal.com 2009-06-17 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
This was oak. But it broke when I was drilling, not when I was sawing. I'd just as rather do it in metal anyway. Wood was fine for prototyping, but not quite the look I was going for.

[identity profile] ionan.livejournal.com 2009-06-17 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah. I thought you were going to go with brass, but figured that wood can be steampunk as well. Looking forward to the final product.

[identity profile] randomdreams.livejournal.com 2009-06-17 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Oak can be snappy. Redwood's a lot stickier. You could also soak the wood in polyethylene glycol or once you've gotten the form cut but before you drill dip it in epoxy and let it dry.

[identity profile] k-crow.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
Yay for next steps! Boo for the wood cracking.

[identity profile] gustavolacerda.livejournal.com 2009-06-19 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
do you plan to rotate the lenses (which filter light according to polarization), as a way of adjusting contrast?

[identity profile] gfish.livejournal.com 2009-06-19 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
Yup! I have electronics to drive a servo to do the turning, with a light sensor so it can automatically darken the glasses in brighter light.