At this point the device is nearly ready for a test run.
Temperature sensors were installed in each plate to keep an eye on things. I didn’t trust my Arduino temp sensor so these additional sensors will remain on the device until the Arduino proves itself (which, so far, it is).
The code for the Arduino is still incomplete. I am working on buttons being implemented and a menu system. Plus it has a memory now which remembers sculpting sessions and where you last left off (if it loses power).
I will publish the code once I am confident all is working.
Not too much more to add here as I have commented in each picture. Have a look through the gallery.
Measuring out the plates
Drilling out a hole in each plate to insert the temperature sensor
Temp sensor
Installing some neat(er) wiring for the CPU cooling fans and pumps.
Sensors glued in to place. These sensors are part of a package and are simple used to monitor the temperature. The sensor used for the Arduino is installed later on. So in total there are 3 sensors in this prototype. In the next version there would only be 2 sensors. The Arduino sensor and the baseline sensor to make sure the Arduino one is reading the correct temp.
You can see at the bottom of the screen the temp sensor is reading -10.5C. The reading in the middle of the screen is for another temp sensor inside the actual unit (ambient temp). I later modified this so that one screen shows the readings from both sensors (middle and bottom of screen) and no ambient sensor.
COOOOLD!
Prototyping the Arduino with a temp sensor
Temp sensor updates to serial monitor
Prototyping the LCD screen and outputting the temp from sensor to the screen.
So many wires! So ugly! Ah well, its only a prototype! 🙂
You can see the voltage regulator I used for the CPU cooling fans and pumps. I had to fabricate/install a heatsink to the regulator as it wasnt designed for this purpose and was overheating. I later realised that regulating the speed of the fans/pumps was a terrible way to control the voltage. As explained in my previous post, a better way was to shut off the TEC’s themselves when too cold.
The virgin-run of the FrankenSculptor. The Arduino is not installed yet so the temp adjustment needs to be done manually (ie. switching the whole unit off/on while keeping an eye on the temp)
This proved effective, yet tedious
At first we were keeping the temp at around 5C.
Clamp has a good hold on the skin
After an hour we removed the clamp. The skin stayed in the shape of while it was clamped. This conforms with what you see after an actual Coolsculpting session
Very sold skin! Massaging begins now.
Meanwhile, Arduino is being shifted from breadboarding to a proper PCB
Bottom left box is a relay switch. This will be used to power larger relays to switch the TEC’s on or off.
LED to show when the TEC is on. The screen connector beside that is for the temp sensor
connector above the relay is for connecting to the larger 12v relays (standard 4 pin relays for automotive use), The Arduino is installed using a header.
Underside of the board
16×2 backlit LCD screen is installed using a header too. Trying to keep it as compact as possible. Final version will be very different.
Installing the Arduino’s temp sensor.
Testing the code.
You can see the two automotive relays near my hand. One relay for each TEC. Both relays are triggered using the single relay soldered on to the board (which itself is triggered by the Arduino)
[…] is part 1 of a four part project. Click here for Part 2 Click here for Part 3 Click here for Part […]
[…] is part 3 of a four part project. Click here for Part 1 Click here for Part 2 Click here for Part […]
[…] is part 4 of a four part project. Click here for Part 1 Click here for Part 2 Click here for […]