My name is Angela Chen.
Welcome to my portfolio site.
I am a web designer/developer based in Southern California,
who is passionate about the web industry and all its possibilities.

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Experiments in Art and Programming

Motorized Etch A Sketch :: 2004

Uses: My own two hands.

Description

This project was an experiment in XY plotting systems that stems from my interest in data visualization. It was intended to be the first step in building a large-scale robotic plotter, which would draw my path, recorded over months, using a GPS device. It would have been an interesting contrast and interpretation of systems from the nearly indiscernible data outputted from a GPS to the familiar childhood interface of an etch-a-sketch.

Though simple, the etch-a-sketch is an ingenious device that functions on an elegant system of pulleys, which would have provided a good model to build a large-scale plotter. In addition to programming, the large plotter was supposed to use more precise stepper motors instead of DC motors and be hands-free. However, I have since reconsidered the project because of the translation of one technological system (GPS) to another technological system (robotic plotter). I began to question the purpose of visualizing data using different (GPS vs. robotic plotter), but conceptually the same (both technology) forms. Wouldn't it be more interesting to contrast technological vs. non-technological frameworks, male vs. female gender roles, adult vs. childlike perspectives?

Dealing with the latter, a completely hands-free etch a sketch is in a sense a desecration of childhood activity. It comments on the need to make things faster and closer to perfection with the least amount of human effort: the individual as removed from activity. This project as it stands still retains its childlike whimsy and an element of clumsiness.

Treatment

The white knobs of the Etch-A-sketch were removed, exposing a 3/16" shaft. The shaft was then attached to a low speed DC motor using a rigid coupling. The motor was then wired to a 3-way toggle switch, which allowed the motor to run forward and reverse with the center position being off. The entire thing was then mounted on a customized plexiglass piece for support and ease of use.

Parts

  • Etch A Sketch
  • Rigid shaft couplings (x2): With opposite bore sizes 1/8" and 3/16"
  • Low speed DC motors (x2): 6-12 volts,@ 30 rpm
  • 3-way toggle switches (x2)
  • 9 volt batteries (x2)
  • 1/4" plexiglass

Schematic

Schematic

S1 : 3-way toggle switch
m1 : DC motor

Motor Diagram

Photoshop template for mounting motor onto plexi

Plexi Diagram

Photoshop template for drilling plexiglass support