Happy Halloween! In this build guide I go over my approach for adding spinning rubber eyeballs and lighting to a plastic skull. Feel free to customize your project in your own way and make it yours. In this project my intention was to make something spooky and silly at the same time – and I think I accomplished just that. This was a fun project to build and I hope you have just as much fun building your own animated skull as I did building mine!
If you’ve never used Blockly before, the following tutorials can get you started: Getting Started with Blockly Prop Solo [1] and Simple BlocklyProp Programs for Propeller Boards [2]
The pictures below show the connections I made for connecting the servos and NeoPixel rings. Your connection may look a little different depending on the pins you choose to use in your project.
If you have any questions regarding the connections please email Parallax Technical Support: support@parallax.com [6].
Note that the FLiP module is "upside down" to make wiring easier. The USB connection can still be used in this orientation if you do not have a barrel jack and battery pack. If using outdoors, we definitely recommend not using a USB connection for power.
If using USB power:
If using battery pack + barrel jack:
If using USB power, the NeoPixel rings will run off of the single USB 5V> PWR rail. If using a barrel jack/battery pack, make sure to connect them to the 3.3V> PWR rail.
NeoPixel 1:
NeoPixel 2:
Be careful when doing this as some decorations are made of heavier plastic or material too tough to cut through without a powered tool. Choose the safest and most efficient tool, and always wear eye protection.
Before you permanently glue anything, make sure you know how best to fit all of the project parts into the skull decoration you chose. Medium-to-large skulls will be easier to work with.
If you have access to a laser cutter you can use the file below to laser cut a platform for mounting the breadboard.
Download the SVG Blocks file for this project or recreate it using the image below:
Links
[1] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/blocklyprop/getting-started-blocklyprop-solo
[2] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/blocklyprop/simple-blocklyprop-programs-propeller-boards
[3] https://www.parallax.com/product/910-28088
[4] https://www.parallax.com/product/32123
[5] https://www.parallax.com/product/753-00007
[6] mailto:support@parallax.com
[7] https://learn.parallax.com/sites/default/files/content/AB-Blockly/Projects/EyeSkull/Eye-Rolling-Skull-DXF-File.zip
[8] https://learn.parallax.com/sites/default/files/content/AB-Blockly/Projects/EyeSkull/Eye-Rolling-Skull-Project.svg
[9] https://solo.parallax.com/