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). Make a device that allows a person to control light, sound, or movement using the components you’ve learned about or researched on your own(e.g. LEDs, speakers, servomotors).
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
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/janice-vuong/curiosity-syllabus-rcwn62icyme
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”
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):