TTGO-Interactive-Device

Materials

• ESP32 TTGO T-Display (CP 2104 Chip)
• computer
• USB-C cord
• button
• joystick
• potentiometer
• wires
• 1/8 in acrylic sheet
• acrylic glue
• hot glue
• wood blocks
• soldering tools
• laser cutter

Make at Home

Setup Arduino

• Download and open the Arduino IDE (Download)
• Open Preferences
• Copy and paste the following link (https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json) into Additonal Boards Manager URLs to add the ESP package
• Select Tools > Boards > Boards Manager, then search for esp32 and install the most recent version
• Select Tools > Boards > ESP32 Arduino > TTGO T1
• Select Tools > Manage Libraries, then search for TFT_eSPI and install the most recent version
• In your file storage system, find the Arduino folder
• Open Arduino/libraries/TFT_eSPI/User_Setup_Select.h
• Comment out the line that says #include <User_Setup.h>
• Uncomment the line that says #include <User_Setups/Setup25_TTGO_T_Display.h>

Test ESP32 TTGO T-Display

• Open the Arduino IDE
• Select Files > Examples > TFT_eSPI > 160 x 128 > RLE_font_test
• Plug in the ESP32 TTGO T-Display
• Select Sketch > Upload

Setup Python Serial Ports

• Download Anaconda (https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual)
• Open Terminal
• Download pyserial conda install pyserial

Upload Esp32 Serial Communication

• Open the Arduino IDE
• Open Esp32_Serial_Communication/device/device.ino from the Arduino IDE
• Plug in the ESP32 TTGO T-Display
• Select Sketch > Upload

Build Hardware

Solder Button

• Solder the + (voltage in) end of the button to a ground pin of the ESP32
• Solder the - (voltage out) end of the button to the GPIO Pin #37 of the ESP32

Solder Potentiometer

• Solder the V_in (voltage in, the first pin) end of the potentiometer to a 3V pin of the ESP32 (the 3V pin on the bottom left)
• Solder the V_out (voltage out, the second pin) end of the potentiometer to the GPIO Pin #12 of the ESP32
• Solder the GND (ground, the third pin) end of the potentiometer to a ground pin of the ESP32 (the second ground pin on the top left)

Solder Joystick

• Solder the GND (ground, the first pin) end of the potentiometer to a ground pin of the ESP32 (the ground pin on the bottom right)
• Solder the +5V (voltage in, the second pin) end of the potentiometer to a 3V pin of the ESP32 (the 3V pin on the top right)
• Solder the VRx (x-axis potentiometer, the third pin) end of the potentiometer to the GPIO Pin #27 of the ESP32
• Solder the VRy (y-axis potentiometer, the fourth pin) end of the potentiometer to the GPIO Pin #26 of the ESP32
• Solder the SW (button, the fifth pin) end of the potentiometer to the GPIO Pin #25 of the ESP32

Make Case

Cut Case

• Download Case/caseplans.svg
• Upload file to a laser cutter
• Choose a sheet of 1/8 in acrylic (can also be made of cardboard or wood)
• Cut out the pattern
• Drill a hole in the side of the box that fits your USB-C cable so the Esp32 can be plugged in
• Cut a 2.25 in block of wood for the Esp32
• Cut a 1.50 in block of wood for the joystick
• Cut a 2.00 in block of wood for the potentiometer

Assemble Case

• Use acrylic glue to assemble the box, but do not attach the bottom panel with the single hole in the corner
• Use sandpaper to remove all harsh edges on the blocks of wood
• Hot glue the joystick and potentiometer to their blocks of wood
• Screw the button into place (if button is too small, add a small zip tie before screwing on)
• Hot glue each block of wood so the corresponding peripheral fits in the correct sized hole
• Place the Esp32 over its block, plug it in, and carefully close the box

Run Device

• Plug the device into your computer
• Open Digital_Music_Box/index.html in the browser of your choice
• Play your digital synthesizer and control it with your music box

More Information

Medium Blog Post: https://medium.com/@sedonathomas/interactive-device-3c5826457c24

Youtube Demo: https://youtu.be/2rkQq6D6_u0

Special Thanks to Professor Mark Santolucito and the staff at the Barnard Design Center for all of their help!!!