Wave Generator

2025

Front view

The front of the Wave Generator machine, where the access panel is located.

Back View

The back of the Wave Generator, which had a second access panel to remove components. The channel to drop the rock is visible on the side.

Internal View

The internals of the generator, at least the first layer that held the board. I had a potentiometer to debug the servo, as it brought me quite a few bed levelling problems.

The Wave Generator was one of my first major Arduino projects. It includes an IR distance sensor, a medium-strength servo, a DC motor, and an Arduino Uno R3. The materials were laser-cut Masonite, a Metal Pin board toy, a wooden crankshaft, and a 3D printed Linear Actuator mount for the servo.

The point of the project was to create ripple effects in the plastic pin board, making it move without any direct contact. When a rock is dropped into a hole on the side, the servo begins oscillating the spinning crankshaft, pushing it into the pins and creating a wave-like effect. It was a little uncanny considering the noise and torque required to move the pin board, (the whole machine jittered), but it was satisfying to watch the waves.

The disassembled Wave Generator, with the electronics on the right and the crankshaft to the left.

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Wave Generator