F/ FLIGHT PANELTHREE-MODULE TEST

FLIGHT PANEL / AN ANALOG OBJECT

A little theater.
For your everyday.

The sound. The anticipation. The last letter falling into place. Three mechanical characters, built around the motors you ordered.

Explore the revised module and casing below. Dimensions and parts review ↗ Example messages, not a live flight feed.

01 / DESIGN IN MOTION 3 MOVING POSITIONS
READY

Explore the build Separate parts, inspect a character, or see a flap’s reverse ↗

TRY THREE CHARACTERS

Every position can be a letter, number or dash.

ORD · three-character test

02 / THE CURRENT BUILD

Three characters.
Room to work.

A larger drum and independent supports make this a practical test for the ordered 5 V motors. The future 2×7 can use different motors and parts to achieve the slimmer Note proportions.

1 × 3fully changeable positions
38symbols per character
114two-sided printed leaves
—prototype width
A

The ordered motors

Three VKLSVAN 5 V 28BYJ-48 motors with their ULN2003 drivers. The enlarged drum allows room for the nominal motor body and mounting ears. Verify the delivered parts with the fit sample.

B

One complete test first

Each character has its own axle supports. Secure the first complete cartridge upright on the bench for testing; the three feet print after it passes, with the other two modules.

C

One controller

One ESP32-C3 and one MCP23017 control all three motors and read their Hall sensors. The protected test wiring sits outside the moving mechanism.

Future 2×7: its compact mechanics are a separate design step. Reuse of these larger drums, frames or motors is not promised.

See saved-file checks, ordered parts and print times ↗

Current choice: one prototype with printed white PETG letters and an AMS 2 Pro. Start with the first fit sample and the new two-color files ↗ The previous paint-fill schedule remains a separate option.

03 / FROM PIECES TO PANEL

Make every
little part count.

Follow the build in order. Each step selects the relevant parts in the 3D model above.

    Print one prototype with white letters ↗Download current build package ↓Dimensions, parts and print-time review ↗

    For the Westmont WROOM controller in your cart: use the direct-GPIO bench wiring, with Hall pullups to 3.3V. The C3/MCP arrangement below is the separate original option.

    04 / A deliberate electrical system

    One brain.
    Three mechanisms.

    Defined motor outputs and an independent reset line release the coils if the bus fails. Power runs through dedicated wiring and separate fuses.

    CONTROL · 3.3 V

    ESP32-C3

    GPIO4 → SDA
    GPIO5 → SCL
    GPIO10 → expander reset

    ↔
    LOGIC TRANSLATION

    BSS138 shifter

    LV = 3.3 V · HV = 5 V
    CH1: SDA · CH2: SCL
    CH3: reset

    ↔
    CONTROL · 5 V

    1 × MCP23017

    Address 0x20
    Three motor slots
    All three used

    →
    MOTION + HOME

    3 motor modules

    5 V 28BYJ-48 + ULN2003
    38-position drum
    A3144 + 3 × 1 mm magnet

    5 V / 6 A enclosed brick→6.5 A rated inlet→1 A motor fuse + 1 A logic fuse→Separate power harness

    Pin assignments per expander

    SlotMotor IN1–4Hall OUT
    0GPA0–GPA3GPB4
    1GPA4–GPA7GPB5
    2GPB0–GPB3GPB6

    10 kΩ pull-down at every motor input; 10 kΩ pull-up from every Hall OUT to 5 V. MCP power and logic are 5 V. The ESP32 stays on the shifter’s 3.3 V side.

    05 / Parts for three

    Finish the
    three-module test.

    Three motor/driver sets and the magnet assortment are confirmed ordered. The list below covers the three-module test; other parts are not confirmed purchased.

    Westmont pickup option for the three-module test ↗ · Dated store stock, overnight top-up and local alternatives.

    CONFIRMED PURCHASESUpdating component quotesMotors and magnets · remaining costs need current quotes
    0 items checked

    Checklist stays in this browser. Stock and delivery are not reserved. Delivery promises depend on your current address, account, offer and checkout time.

    Detailed shopping specifications and sources ↗

    06 / READY FOR THE FIRST REAL TEST

    Print. Assemble.
    Prove the motion.

    The viewer and printer projects use the same saved parts. Digital checks and physical operation are recorded separately.

    CURRENT DESIGN

    Flight Panel · Three-module test

    One row · three positions · 38 symbols each

    Engineering prototype

    Physical fit and movement await the first printed module.

    Build in this order

    1. Fit and lettering samples

      Check the delivered motor, shaft, magnet and printed leaf fit. Print the five black-and-white AMS sample leaves; passing samples count toward module 1.

    2. One complete character

      Print its frame, gears, drum, foot and remaining 33 leaves. Check hand rotation, then powered homing and all symbols.

    3. Two more characters

      Print two matching mechanisms and 76 leaves. Calibrate each, then test coordinated three-character messages.

    Timing

    Use the one-prototype AMS schedule for the selected white-filament route. The older paint-fill time does not include AMS changes and purging. Allow additional time for wiring, assembly, calibration and any fixes. Completion also depends on the remaining electronics being available.

    Assembly and acceptance checklist ↗

    Firmware

    The three-character profile includes homing, per-motor calibration, acceleration and stop/recovery controls.

    Setup and calibration ↗
    Release and source details

    Current source and artifacts are recorded below. Physical validation requires the assembled hardware.

    Release manifest pending.

    Mechanism based on Morgan Manly’s design; firmware base by Jordan Hoff and contributors. Pinned originals remain separate from revised print files.