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9. Wearables

Research

Irene Bosh A big crush! I really like the use of electronics in artistic installations full of poetry. It’s just perfect. The apparent simplicity of the assemblies allows for keeping a lot of lightness. I love it!

*Electronic Needlework

Electronic Needlework shows three framed historic plates from the Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers describing and picturing “Brodeur” (embroiderer), and three object frames with diverse electronic textile needlework materials, tools, and application samples.*

Irene Bosh

Unstable Design

Another favorite, for this design studio. I feel that it is possible to bring together the researcher’s artist!

describe what you see in this image describe what you see in this image

(Left) a sample page from our pictorial mapping our various explorations of core spinning.

(Right) Wear, designed and made by Laura Devendorf, is a project that explores how we might use technology on the body to reflect upon embodied experiences. Created during the 2020 COVID Lockdown, it is a handwoven garment with 21 force sensors that capture where her body encountered pressures (from children, objects, etc) for 24 hours. These experiences of pressure and touch can be replayed via heating circuitry in the cloth, allowing the recorded experiences to become visible as heat across the garment and body.

Unstable design lab


Tools

Embrodery

Serigraphy

  • Thermo-ink SICO

Electronics

  • arduino

  • Fabrixiao 3240

  • Mosfet PQPSONO6L

  • Diode 1N4001

  • Led sequins x15

  • Resistor 10k X3

  • Led yellow X1

  • Resistor 150k X1

  • 5V extern battery

Textile Speaker

Test of our conductive yarn

dTest Last year at Greenfabric, they embroidered Fabricademy's logotype on thermo-ink. It shows the conductivity perfectly.

Circuit

First try

After assembling the example circuit, I embarked on the design of a concentric star about 12 cm. My idea was to facilitate the attachment of the clamps by bringing out the central wire towards the outside. That's was a bad idea. The current does not pass in an eliptych way.

Excellent opportunity to be trained on the basics of embroidery!

I reused my star on Illustrator

  • Draw your form using the gradient utility of shapes (W) to create intermediate shapes. With the decomposition of shapes, I manually connected each shape together to create a single seam. (It does exist a perfect tool in Inkscap perfectely well done to do it)
  • Import the SVG file in SVG
  • Installed the extension Ink/stiches.
  • Checking the scale of my drawing
  • I selected it and opened the "Ink/Stiches" / "settings" extension
  • Keep a minimum stitch length of 2.5 mm, single thread (no return on each stitch)
  • Save on the USB key the ".DST" file.

Recommandations to make a speaker

  • Eliptich design
  • narrow stiches lignes
  • not too long for a lower resistance
  • goog conductive thread
  • Quite dry and taut fabric on a frame

The speaker

Here you have the example of the circuit that worked best! It’s just a circular hand stitch on poppeline.

The star 1 was obtained by using Illustrator and Inkscape

Here is the speaker that works! The concentric drawings, not too big for the magnets, tight and not too long. All the embroidery tests are disappointing. It would be necessary to redo the mamuel drawing in embroidery to see if it’s the embroidery thread or the technique that poses a problem. On the other hand, the embroidered effect in conductor is perfect for other uses.

// -------------------------------------------------
// Copyright (c) 2022 HiBit <https://www.hibit.dev>
// -------------------------------------------------

#include "pitches.h"

#define BUZZER_PIN 9

int melody[] = {
  NOTE_AS4, NOTE_AS4, NOTE_AS4,
  NOTE_F5, NOTE_C6,
  NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_F6, NOTE_C6,
  NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_F6, NOTE_C6,
  NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_AS5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_C5, NOTE_C5, NOTE_C5,
  NOTE_F5, NOTE_C6,
  NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_F6, NOTE_C6,

  NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_F6, NOTE_C6,
  NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_AS5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_C5, NOTE_C5,
  NOTE_D5, NOTE_D5, NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_F5,
  NOTE_F5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_D5, NOTE_E5, NOTE_C5, NOTE_C5,
  NOTE_D5, NOTE_D5, NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_F5,

  NOTE_C6, NOTE_G5, NOTE_G5, REST, NOTE_C5,
  NOTE_D5, NOTE_D5, NOTE_AS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_F5,
  NOTE_F5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_D5, NOTE_E5, NOTE_C6, NOTE_C6,
  NOTE_F6, NOTE_DS6, NOTE_CS6, NOTE_C6, NOTE_AS5, NOTE_GS5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_F5,
  NOTE_C6
};

int durations[] = {
  8, 8, 8,
  2, 2,
  8, 8, 8, 2, 4,
  8, 8, 8, 2, 4,
  8, 8, 8, 2, 8, 8, 8,
  2, 2,
  8, 8, 8, 2, 4,

  8, 8, 8, 2, 4,
  8, 8, 8, 2, 8, 16,
  4, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8,
  8, 8, 8, 4, 8, 4, 8, 16,
  4, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8,

  8, 16, 2, 8, 8,
  4, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8,
  8, 8, 8, 4, 8, 4, 8, 16,
  4, 8, 4, 8, 4, 8, 4, 8,
  1
};

void setup()
{
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop()
{
  int size = sizeof(durations) / sizeof(int);

  for (int note = 0; note < size; note++) {
    //to calculate the note duration, take one second divided by the note type.
    //e.g. quarter note = 1000 / 4, eighth note = 1000/8, etc.
    int duration = 1000 / durations[note];
    tone(BUZZER_PIN, melody[note], duration);

    //to distinguish the notes, set a minimum time between them.
    //the note's duration + 30% seems to work well:
    int pauseBetweenNotes = duration * 1.30;
    delay(pauseBetweenNotes);

    //stop the tone playing:
    noTone(BUZZER_PIN);
  }
}

Bag

Idea

I wanted to draw a bag that would allow me to warn the person that she is too close to me and that I prefer that she maintain an intimacy distance that is sufficient for me not to be overly emotional. I found this very trendy item on Apple’s high-end market. A mesh phone pouch at an attractive price, already sold out! It’s proof that the world of textiles is everywhere and very trendy.

iPhone Pocket by ISSEY MIYAKE

Schema

It took me several trials to understand how to connect the circuit in a different format. I used Illustrator to correctly place the elements and the connected. I used Tinkercad to try to program but I did not completely succeed. It is by using pieces of code that I asked MISTRAL to integrate them into me to obtain a unique code.

Production

Stéphanie programmed the Knittered to obtain a rectangle allowing me to test my idea. I could only attend the manipulation because this machine and its program is very complicated. This allows me to see a little better its potential and its usability.

I reused the embroidery machine to make my circuit on poppeline in a rectangle that allows for the best housing of the Fabrixia, the sonar, the Mosfet and the diode. Are the LEDs and their resistances externalized and placed in parallel on the knit?

I quickly realized that I could have short circuits and that I had to protect my conductive wires in many places. For example, the circuit sewn by hand with the LEDs cannot work because as soon as we take the handle, a short circuit is created. It is therefore necessary to think about lining and insulating the wires.

The bag

Notthing works, A

It doesn't work. I need help! Let's talk to my brother… It's still a good experience because I could see so many problems I have to solv: Electricity, connectors, sewing, loose connections, Resistors miss calculation, Battery...

Bag Result

Fabrixiao 3240

Small size: 40 mm. Programming via USB C. Two power connections and two GND connections. 4 analog inputs. 10 digital inputs/outputs. Connection via a 3.7 V battery. Includes an LED (D10) to test the board (assembly optional).

  • Powerful MCU: Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz.
  • Rich on-chip resources: 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory
  • Flexible compatibility: Support Micropython/Arduino/CircuitPython
  • Easy project operation: Breadboard-friendly & SMD design, no components on the back
  • Small size: As small as a thumb(20x17.5mm) for wearable devices and small projects.
  • Multiple interfaces: 11 digital pins, 4 analog pins, 11 PWM Pins,1 I2C interface, 1 UART interface, 1 SPI interface, 1 SWD Bonding pad interface.

For general I/O pins: Working voltage of MCU is 3.3V. Voltage input connected to general I/O pins may cause chip damage if it' higher than 3.3V . For power supply pins: The built-in DC-DC converter circuit able to change 5V voltage into 3.3V allows to power the device with a 5V supply via VIN-PIN and 5V-PIN. Please pay attention to use, do not lift the shield cover.

Data sheet for Fabrixiao

Sewable LEDs x10

Key Technical Details: Color: Rose Pink Operating Voltage: 3.0V - 6.0V Current Draw: ~5mA (at 3.3V) Brightness: Typical Diameter: 12.5mm / 0.5" Height: 2.7mm / 0.1" Weight: 0.4g

Q: Can I wash garments with LED Sequins sewn in? A: Yes, but hand washing is recommended, and the power supply should be removed before washing. Ensure the garment is completely dry before reconnecting the power.

Q: How many LED Sequins can I connect to a single Arduino pin? It depends on the current limit of the Arduino pin (typically 20-40mA). As each LED Sequin draws approximately 5mA, you can connect up to 4-8 LED Sequins in parallel to a single pin without exceeding the current limit.

-> use a transitor, we already have a Mosfet whitch is a MOSFET

MOSFET PQPSONO6L

Pinout: Gate (G), Drain (D), Source (S).

Key Differences: N-Channel MOSFET: Conducts when a positive voltage is applied to the gate relative to the source. P-Channel MOSFET: Conducts when a negative voltage is applied to the gate relative to the source

Typical Use Cases: MOSFETs are ideal for switching and amplifying high-current loads. In industrial PCB assemblies, they are widely used in Motor control boards, Power supply circuits, Battery management systems, High-efficiency LED drivers

PCB Assembly Insight: Always specify whether an N-Channel or P-Channel MOSFET is required in your BOM and assembly drawings. The wrong selection or incorrect pin orientation can result in overheating, power loss, or complete circuit failure.

Resistor 330 mΩ x5

  • Yellow LED x1 (test LED)
  • Resistor 150kΩ x1
  • 5V external battery

Calcul of resistance

Calcul Leds sequin ADAFRUIT

Objectifs: 10 to 16 leds for Parrallele: 3/5 lignes

Current: PIN 5V - Led sequin : 1.1 V - I:20 mA _ R:220 ohm _ U: 5mA - 4 led x 1,1 V = 4,4 V - Tension (R): 5-4,4 = 0,6 V - U = R * I -> R = U / I - R = 0,6 V / 0,020 A = 30 ohm

4 lignes: Current per ligne: 20 mA. Current for 4 lignes: 80 mA (Max 100 mA for a FabriXiao).

Control: Use transistor/MOSFET to command them by a Pin of the FabriXiao.

Calcul Leds yellow

1 LED Yellow U = 3,3 U LED yellow : ~2 V Desired current: 20 mA. Required resistance: R = (3.3 V - 2 V) / 0.02 A = 65 Ω. Use a 220 Ω resistor to limit the current to ~6 mA (safer for the FabriXiao).

Circuit

The black line is Conductive threat embroidery. The blue line is none condutive thread.

The schema 2 was obtained by using Illustrator and Inkscape

Code

// Pin definitions
int alertLedPin = A2;   // Pin for alert LEDs (1 or 2 LEDs)
int trigPin = A1;       // Ultrasonic sensor trigger pin
int echoPin = A0;       // Ultrasonic sensor echo pin
int mosfetPin = D9;     // MOSFET gate pin for the 15 main LEDs
long duration, cm;      // Variables for the ultrasonic sensor

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);    // Initialize serial communication
  // Pin configuration
  pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);     // Trigger as output
  pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);      // Echo as input
  pinMode(alertLedPin, OUTPUT); // Alert LED pin as output
  pinMode(mosfetPin, OUTPUT);   // MOSFET as output
  // Turn off LEDs at startup
  digitalWrite(alertLedPin, LOW);
  digitalWrite(mosfetPin, LOW);
}

void loop() {
  // Measure distance with the ultrasonic sensor
  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
  delayMicroseconds(5);
  digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);

  // Read the duration of the Echo signal
  duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
  // Convert duration to distance (in cm)
  cm = (duration / 2) / 29.1;

  // Display the distance in the serial monitor
  Serial.print("Distance: ");
  Serial.print(cm);
  Serial.println(" cm");

  // Logic for alert LEDs (on if object is less than 10 cm away)
  if (cm <= 10) {
    Serial.println("WARNING: Object detected less than 10 cm away");
    digitalWrite(alertLedPin, HIGH);  // Turn on alert LEDs
  } else {
    digitalWrite(alertLedPin, LOW);   // Turn off alert LEDs
  }

  // Logic for the 15 main LEDs (on if object is less than 5 cm away)
  if (cm <= 5) {
    Serial.println("DANGER: Object very close!");
    digitalWrite(mosfetPin, HIGH);    // Turn on 15 LEDs via MOSFET
  } else {
    digitalWrite(mosfetPin, LOW);     // Turn off 15 LEDs
  }
  delay(250);  // Delay to avoid too rapid measurements
}

Fabrication files

Images and drawings: Annabel Fournier unless otherwise stated

  1. File: Star embroidery ↩

  2. File: Circuit for bag ↩