Creative Motion Control Week 2: Integrating Manual and Automated Machine Operation

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Topics​

Core Theme: Automated Motion via Generators

• Rapid Prototyping Interfaces
• Hands on Generator Activity

Check in / Updates​

• Axidraw Pen Mechanism- weighting! Media
  • Plotting with a z-axis with a set z position controlled via stepper Corey Haber's Work
  • Plotting with a gravity-dependent z-axis (e.g. Axidraw)- benefit- you don't need to adjust the z as the drawing media wears down, you don't need to ensure a perfectly level drawing surface. Optional- you can tension the axidraw with a rubberband, or weight it (see the Axidraw PDF guide page 93 for a reference). Adding rubber band tension (or extra weight) increases the load on the servo motor. This can cause the servo to wear out or burn out faster than usual.
• Project 1 Orders check in
• Serial communication status
• Updates on schedule for week 3-- Lab hours in class.

Activity 1 -- Controlling Stepdance with Complex Preplanned motion​

Generators are the starting point in Stepdance to incorporate automated machine movement. We'll break out the plotters and program them to use a generator to vary machine motion as we control our step-a-sketch program manually Interpreter Guide

Activity 2 -- Overview on Interface Prototyping Methods​

• Hands on tutorial for hooking up physical interfaces
• Cardboard Prototyping- Why it's great and how to do it!
• Overview of lab resources / tools for project 1

Assignments​

• Complete week 2 reflection by Monday 4/13 Noon. Reflection Slide
• Continue work on Project 1- Due Tuesday April 21st!

Resources and References​

Next Class​

• Lab hours!