Making a DIY analog force sensor under quarantine, with the Kontrol Freak.

[@arinka62]

Hi, I'm an electronics engineer, but I love the way you are approaching things. Your sensors are awesome. Keep up the good work and your subscribers will come soon.

[@KontinuumLAB]

Thanks!

[@yousefabdelsamie5983]

Beautiful. Well done, keep it up.

[@nikbivation]

this is so useful, thank you!

[@chrisliddiard725]

@9:11 interesting . I suppose if you had multiple sensors you could use a multiplexer chip as input for all those sensors, and then have its single output going to this one voltage divider circuit to keep everything really simple. Nice. Replace that resistor with a variable pot and you could even fine tune the circuit according to your maxim force.

[@KontinuumLAB]

You're exactly right. In the next video I use this sensor to make a 16 pad instrument, with a multiplexer and single voltage divider: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jl7QqYePnL5sorM

[@fati3m574]

Nice and smooth

[@seditt5146]

You used a change in resistance you said right. I had an idea similar but would used the change in capacitance of a material in-between two plates have a known compressive value ( basically a springy dielectric) and I thought if I made this into a tank circuit and set it 7p to oscillate I should be able to detect very sensitive pressure changes. I would be interested in any experience with something similar or problems one might see with my design. My biggest fear is it might be too sensitive and pick up even mild changes in air pressure since after all its similar in fashion to old school condenser microphones

[@KontinuumLAB]

I'm not sure I understand what it is you want to make, so can't help you with advice. But you should just try to build it and see how it goes. Best way to test your ideas 💡

[@ghgh-qe7xr]

Hi I get the velostat and used it for my project but it is 100% conductive, conductivity doesn't affect by pressure Do you know why? And what is the problem?

[@timwaldmann5689]

Nice work! I'll build one. Keep making :)

[@KontinuumLAB]

Thanks!

[@TrinhNguyen-kz2fv]

Very interesting and useful, this is a small sensor. I wonder if to create a DIY force sensor with a size larger than 4x6 inches, a larger resistor is needed? Tks for your video

[@famitory]

a larger velostat represents putting more resistance between the copper sheets in paralell (lowering the total), so you would want a lower value to keep the voltage divider at a reasonable ratio. however you might run into issues where too much current is traveling through the sensor, heating it up. you can solve this by adding more sheets of velostat to raise the resistance back up or by using some op amps to build an active measuring circuit that both keeps the current running through the sensor low and amplifies the signal for better noise charecteristics. there's an article on nuts n volts magazine for making a ribbon controller using a softpot whose circuit would also work for the FSR.

[@jasonlatour3403]

Hi. I noticed that your baseline voltage is high. If you mentioned the solution I missed it and I apologize but you can add layers of velostat to increase the range.

[@romualdocaseroles9664]

Awesome, thanks

[@maaud]

oh man thankyou very very much!!!!

[@KontinuumLAB]

You're very welcome.

[@VerticalWit]

Thanks for sharing!

[@KontinuumLAB]

My pleasure!

[@Marjoriem3]

Hi! I loved your project, it was all I needed, but I noticed that when you open the serial monitor the value of velostat does not stop varying even if you are keeping in touch with it ... how do you solve it? Congratulations for the initiative!

[@KontinuumLAB]

Yes, you're right. These DIY sensors are not very stable. I always apply a software filter if I want to use them in an instrument. There are many different ways, try a Google search for "analogRead filter" or "Arduino smoothing library". Happy making

[@mimasweets]

Did you used them for something?

[@reshephgani9798]

Hi thanks for sharing your knowledge, I have a doubt, is it possible to use anti-static bags as velostat??

[@agnelodearaujo7413]

Hi dude, since he didn't reply to you for whatever reason, I found a link that may help you. www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=381 In this link, the article talks about how "some" anti-static bags have piezoelectric properties as velostat bags. I hope this helps.

[@KontinuumLAB]

Yes, it's possible. In fact, it's exactly what I'm doing in this video, as the material I use is cut out directly from some electrostatic bags.

[@reshephgani9798]

@@agnelodearaujo7413 thanks:) I'll try with anti-static bags now!

[@reshephgani9798]

@@KontinuumLAB thanks 🙏 Now I'll try with anti-static bags:)

[@hafizhahinas]

Hi! I want to know more about velostat, can you explain to me why this material is good to make a pressure sensor? Thank you ✨

[@KontinuumLAB]

Because its resistance goes down when you compress it. Many analog sensors (like potentiometers for example) are really just variable resistors.

[@alvitodev]

@@KontinuumLAB Is there any alternative for velostat?

[@devfromthefuture506]

Great!!!

[@Raamayan1]

Hey man! im looking for help to develop a fun DIY Midi sensor instrument and have the funds to help make it happen. How can best reach you to share deets?

[@KontinuumLAB]

Use the contact form at kontinuumlab.com

[@itturkey]

Does it matter how big the sensor area is? Could you for example make it 30cm x 3cm and detect across it if touched anywhere along it?

[@algolancer]

yes big difference, read pascal's law

[@jamesonvparker]

Hi, could this method be used to make a softer sensor that could wrap around something? Or is there some principle that links you to two flat surfaces?

[@jamesonvparker]

For example, if you wanted a sensor wrapped around a cup?

[@KontinuumLAB]

You might be able to make a curved sensor with this technique, but I think it will be difficult. You could try to make a narrow sensor along the length if the cylinder, rather than a wide one which wraps around, to minimize bending of the sensor layers. But really, I'd recommend a capacitive sensor for your cup. Slightly different functionality, byt you can make it any shape you want.

[@jamesonvparker]

@@KontinuumLAB Thank you for taking the time to reply. I know I said cup but my application would be something more like the tip of a stylus. It's not about the tip touching a screen though. I'm trying to pick up when the tip touches down on any surface. I thought I could maybe wrap the tip of a pen with a material similar to yours but it sounds like that wouldn't work from what you're telling me. I don't think a piezo would work, but I haven't looked into a capacitive sensor. For a moment it sounded like wrapping the tip of a pen/stylus in a force sensitive material would've done the trick. Thanks anyway!

[@KontinuumLAB]

@@jamesonvparker Unless you need pressure sensitivity, then a small mechanical push button (membrane-type) is the obvious way to make that kind of stylus tip.

[@jamesonvparker]

@@KontinuumLAB thanks again. I’ll check back and let you know how things go.

[@krisk3035]

I want to make a sensor that when you punch it with enough force, the led turns off and then comes back on.

[@KontinuumLAB]

Sounds doable.

[@alairock]

lol, another month... become 2 years

[@KontinuumLAB]

lol indeed 😷

[@Na.Sa74]

I have a project Im working on, and I looking for somebody who have the knowledge to help me to put it together.. Please let me know if you can help me.. I wont ask as a favor, I would pay for your effort Thank you..

[@KontinuumLAB]

Send me a message via the contact page over at kontinuumlab.com.

[@kozko-xe1xl]

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