Everything you need to know about your Tinderbox Makerbox Motor Music Maker kit!
About Your Kit
With the Motor Music Maker kit you can build a musical instrument that uses an electronic motor to make sound!
Before Getting Started
Please note that the materials in your kit may differ slightly from the images shown, however they all work in the same way.
Here’s what your kit comes with:
- Breadboard – a base for your circuit
- YwRobot Breadboard Power Supply – to power your circuit
- 5V DC Motor
- USB cable
- Custom printed 3D motor mount
- Arcade button
- 2.8mm spade wires x2 (customised)
- Plastic toy wheel
- Elastic bands
- Jumper wire
- Cable gland
WARNINGS – kit contains:
CHOKING AND INJURY HAZARDS – Contains small, detachable, elastic, and sharp components. Be aware of elastic bands potentially snapping while under tension, and keep away from face.
ELECTRONIC & SMALL COMPONENTS – Keep out of reach of young children. Ingestion or swallowing may lead to serious injury. Seek immediate medical advice if a component has been ingested. Discontinue use if any sparks, smoke, burning, excessive heat or fire occurs while using components. Do not leave electronics powered on and unattended – always switch off power supplies and disconnect cables after use.
MOTOR – Be aware of fast-moving motor when in use, and do not attempt to stop a motor in use with your fingers.
AGE RANGE: For ages 10 years and up. Not suitable for children 0-3 years. Adult supervision recommended.
MAINTENANCE: Keep all contents clean and dry. Do not get wet. Do not use any components if damaged.
DISPOSAL: Do not put electronics in general waste. Dispose safely at a household waste collection facility.
Please note that the materials in your kit may differ slightly from the images shown, however they all work in the same way.
Setting Up The Breadboard & Power Supply
The first to do is to setup your breadboard & power supply – take a look at our videos below to find out more.
Build Your Circuit!
Once your breadboard & power supply are setup, you’re ready to go! Take a look at our video & instructions below to find out more.
Your Circuit!
You have made a CIRCUIT that allows an electric CURRENT to flow!
The button acts as a gap in the circuit – when the button is pressed the gap is closed
Electronics Basics
What is electricity?
A type of energy or power fueled by the transfer of electrons from positive and negative points within a conductor.
Electricity is measured in power units called Watts (W).
Current is the rate at which an electric charge flows. Imagine the charged electrons as a river – current is how quickly the river is flowing.
Current is measured in Amperes/Amps (A).
Voltage is what makes electric charges move – it is the ‘push’ or pressure from the circuit’s power source that moves charged electrons (current) through a conductor. As a river, voltage would be its force or power.
Voltage is measured in Volts (V).
Resistance is a measurement of how much the component will reduce the current flow. Resistance is like a pipe that current flows through – a bigger resistance means a smaller pipe, so the current flow is less.
Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).
What is a circuit?
An electrical circuit is a path in which electrons from a voltage or current source flow.
An electrical circuit includes a device that gives energy to the current, such as a battery; devices that use current, such as lights or motors; and the connecting wires between devices.
Direct current (DC) is one-directional. The positive charge flows away from the positive terminal of the power supply (e.g. the battery) towards the negative terminal, moving through the circuit to get there.
This is why some components need to be connected in a certain way, for example batteries, which have positive and negative markings to show you.
Some components, like LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have one long ‘leg’ or (the positive pin, or anode) and one short pin (negative, cathode), so that you know which way they are “facing” in the circuit and what direction the current should flow through them. Other components may also have an anode/cathode but will be marked a different way.
Some components, again like LEDs, require extra resistance to be added to circuits too (in the form of resistors) to limit the current through the LED and prevent it burning out.
In your Tinderbox Makerbox kit, you have all the components to make a simple circuit and they are marked by the manufacturer to show you how to connect them.
Always be careful when working with electronics and practicing circuits.
More information
Special thanks to Yann Seznec for consultation on the kits and Mark Kobine of The Institute for Design Informatics and Creative Informatics for custom 3D printing design & support.
For more information on the Tinderbox Makerbox kits please go here or contact lab@tinderboxcollective.org or admin@tinderboxcollective.org
Partners & Supporters
This project has been supported by:
- The Institute for Design Informatics
- Creative Informatics
- Creative Scotland
Design Team
These kits have been designed by our amazing team of apprentices at the Tinderbox Lab:
Series Two:
- Dominika Jackowska
- Liam Dempsey
With special thanks to Yann Seznec for consulation & support of the kits, and to Mark Kobine of The Institute for Design Informatics and Creative Informatics for custom 3D printing design & support.
