Date: Tuesday, 07/28/2026
Class: Interface Lab (IMALR-GT 104)
Section: 002
Name: Janice Vuong
Week: Week 4
I/O Assignment - I/O Analog Project: Come up with a simple application using Analog input and/or output to/from a microcontroller (Arduino)
Okay so this blog post will be the attempt of trying to create a process (but is still a work-in-progress) because the materials I ordered need to be refined in order to: do the thing I want to do (tl:dr: a certain weight is place → light turns on) ← will expand on piece/narrative later
but the idea is: a certain weight is place → light turns on in box
so by the time I came up with this idea it was Friday (07/25).... and weight sensor (load cell + HX711 amplifier) did not arrive until Sunday (07/26)
However I thought Sunday would be enough time to figure this out, because I had watch at least 3 videos on YouTube about weight sensors, the HX711 amplifier, and Arduino
Here is my Are:na board of interest → https://www.are.na/share/fHAMVfL
It is a vision board I had to make for Exploratory Making, however I am including this in my blog post for Interface Lab because I am pinning/adding items of interests (ex. like the YouTube videos I am watching to learn how to use a load cell (weight sensor)
Monday (07/27) I found out I was utterly wrong, and the wires that came up with the load cell need to be further refined and crimped: because it would make using the Arduino/breadboard more easier for me ✅ vs. soldering it on ❌ because this very much a work-in-progress
note to self:
Tuesday Morning 😅 (07/28) → 3D Printing
Rushing to 3D Print the housing for the load cell (weight sensor). The weight sensor is just a rectangle block, and it sense weight, when the object pushes down ⬇️ on the rectangle block
I was able to assembly the 3D print for my weight sensor (load cell).. however the file was made for a 20KG load cell and not a 5 KG (I need 5 KG, I did the math for my objects…) so I realize the 20KG load sensor is a bit wider, than a 5 KG load cell (so now the screw holes are misaligned)
I am able to use 2/4 screw holes that manage to secure the load cell (weight sensor) to create the “physical scale”
Current Status: How to use the load cell to sense weight???
Reflections: I definitely SHOULD HAVE accounted for more time in attempting this project, I really thought the wires that would come with the load cell (weight sensor) were going to be plug-and-play into my breadboard (no stripping/crimping needed)
GRATEFUL: My resilience, I think in the second week of Interface Lab, I was intimidated and overwhelmed by the breadboard and wiring. But here I am! 🙂 I am attempting to use an unknown (new-to-me) sensor and I feel confident enough to approach it for my final project! Although I did not complete it (yet!), this has taught me a lot :) 💯
To-Do (for Jan):