AI generated prototypes

I used Microsoft's new designer AI tool to generate some potential prototypes for my vision of the Snow Scraper. Here are a few of the best examples that I was able to generate. I'd be curious to know which design people like the most. I'm planning on using one as an example to work towards when designing future enclosures.

Upgraded button module

After prototyping the buttons on the breadboard I set out to make a module that would fit into the enclosure and allow for user input. I initially started with five separate push buttons and soldered them into a harness that could be attached to the Raspberry Pi. The five push buttons were attached to a small 3D printed module that would fit into the larger enclosure. 

Shortly after getting this working I came across a complete five-button input on Amazon that would fit my needs perfectly. They were small and cheap and would save me a heck of a lot of soldering. I set out to redesign the enclosure to incorporate this new input and have found it to be a great solution.

Here is custom input I designed as well as the new one I found pre-manufactured:

Completed menus

I've completed the basic menus that will allow for interaction with the Snow Scraper. You can now:

• Run the Snow Scraper program 
• Configure your Wi-Fi information
• Select your local ski hill 

Here is an example of the menus working: 

Next up I plan to start working on scraping the snow data from the other listed ski hills snow report pages.

I'll start with the ten mountains I've listed in the video but if your local mountain has daily snow report information let me know and I'll work to add it in as well!

Enclosure prototype

I have completed the basic design I hope to use for the enclosure. The cutout for the screen seems to be working quite well. I have created four standoffs to mount the screen but will need to find the proper sized screws at the hardware store. I have also designed a removable back plate which the Raspberry Pi Zero will be secured to. This also allows access inside the enclosure to secure the other components prior to final assembly. Lastly, I have created a small notch at the bottom for the power cord to exit the enclosure.

The tasks that still need to be completed are:

• The supports that have been added while printing make the top of the enclosure rough and unsightly. I think I can fix this by adjusting the minimum angle that supports are added within the slicing program. 
• The back plate to which the Raspberry Pi is connected is not quite deep enough so I will increase its thickness by 1 mm 
• A hole needs to be added at the top of the enclosure to allow the LED lights to go through into the crystal ball mount
• Another hole will need to be added to the side to facilitate the input button plate. I am still waiting on the proper sized buttons before I begin that design. 
• Design the crystal ball and LED mounting component

So quite happy with how it looks. I think it is much better than the piece of 2x4 I used originally. Learning the CAD software has been a fun challenge. Here are a few pictures so far: 

Revisiting an old idea

Several years I embarked on a project to create a "snow globe" that would display my local ski hills snow conditions in real time to build the stoke. I wanted a device that I could place in a room that would automatically update to show new snowfall and base conditions in a visual way. The idea being: you wake up and before you start your morning routine it would be ablaze in color letting you know that it was a powder day and you could plan your day accordingly. 

I managed to create a working prototype out of a raspberry pi zero, python code, and some basic electrical components and thus the Snow Scraper was born!

Fast forward several years, I've decided to revisit the project. With the advent of the 3D printer and the progression of my skills and knowledge I've set out to create a revised version of the Snow Scraper with the following goals in mind:

• The ability to select your mountain of choice from a preconfigured list of major ski hills in western Canada
• An upgraded interface to allow the user to configure their Wi-Fi information and local mountain on the device.
• Stable and simple interface and design
• A sleek new 3d-printed enclosure
• Upgrade the screen to display: mountain name, new snow in the past 12 hours, new snow in the past 7 days, and the alpine snow base.

I am hoping to create a solid working version that I can not only sell to the public in a completed form, but also a DIY version that people could create on their own as a hobby project. 

I plan to blog the creative process as I go, laying out detailed instructions on how to create your own including a list of materials I have used, python source code for the programs, and 3d models for printing the enclosure.

At this point I have created a working prototype that works with my local ski hill Sun Peaks. My future plans include the addition of many other mountains in western Canada. I will do another update shortly depicting where I am at so far and how I have got there.

Stay tuned!