My project’s timeline has shifted a bit, as I knew it inevitably would. These last couple weeks have been exceptionally busy, and I haven’t had much time to devote to my project, other than to research parts for purchase and to brainstorm designs for my future prototypes. I am planning to make substantial progress on my project over spring break, and I’m hoping to be near my project’s completion by the end of break, which would allow for ample testing, analysis, evaluation, and potential redesigns to take place in the weeks leading up to break. Or, best case scenario, my project is completed with several weeks to spare, allowing me the time to create a series of functioning prototypes in time for expo.

Initially, I was planning to have my project operate at a relatively low RPM, as to allow for beginners to practice their skills, but as I have thought more about the project, I have been considering the possibility of incorporating a potentiometer to regulate the voltage supplied to the DC motor. This would allow for variable speed, which would open up the platform to tattooers of all skill levels. Upon coming to this consideration, I began thinking about my project inspirations, mainly Teenage Engineering, and how I could relay more information back to the user; this could be RPM, battery life, etc., and this information would be provided to the viewer via an Arduino controlled-LCD display. This could be an immensely usefully feature to have, but I’m not sure if I am technologically capable of doing this while keeping an aesthetically pleasing form-factor.

Detail of the Teenage Engineering OP-1’s gorgeous OLED display

I would love to take stylistic queues from the OP-1’s display, like the use of interesting images to represent information and provide feedback.