In this tutorial we are going to make a simple touch sensitive circuit using some Bare Paint, a 555 timer circuit, a couple of resistors, a LED and a capacitor. The 555 timer is a fun and versatile integrated circuit (IC) that can be used in several distinct ways. There are loads of interactive circuits that can be made with this chip, we'll be adding tutorials illustrating more of these projects in the future. Today we are using the 555 with its internal flip-flop to sense the change in voltage at two inputs in the circuit. Luckly you don't need to know whats happening inside the chip to enjoy the interactions that it affords! When you touch the Bare Paint on either side of the gap you connect the circuit through your skin don't worry, the current is so low you will not be able notice it. The 555 timer senses voltage change at pin 6 and pin 2, depending on which button you press, and flips the output state at pin 3 - turning the LED ON or OFF. By the end of this tutorial you will have painted two touch buttons, with Bare Paint or a Bare Pen, that connect to a touch sensitive ON/OFF 555 timer circuit. Once you have got this simple circuit going you are free to get even more creative in using the paint to make different graphical touch buttons. Please send your electro-art works to us to put up on the community site!
Components
Bare Paint Paintbrush Paper LM555 Integrated Circuit Resistors Bread Board Jumper Wires Capacitor LED Paper Clip Wires 9V Battery
Battery Clip
555 Timer UK Maplin US: Sparkfun Breadboard UK: RS Maplin US: Jameco Sparkfun Jump Wires UK: Maplin US: Sparkfun Resistors UK: Maplin US: Sparkfun Capacitors UK: Maplin US: Allied Electronics
Materials
The first step is to gather the appropriate materials mentioned above. To make this nifty circuit you will need: 1. A jar of Bare Paint, paint brush and paper, or use a Bare Pen 2. A 330 Ohm resistor, two +-2.7 Mega Ohm resistors (make sure it is sufficiently large for greater sensitivity), one 10nF capacitor (0.01uF = 10nF = 10 000pF) and a LED 3. Some wire to make your paperclip wire connectors (see Connecting to Bare Paint for how to) 4. Solder-less breadboard and some jump wires 5. Some paper or other non-conductive material to apply the Bare Paint 6. A 9V Battery and a battery clip with wires.
Second, paint your decided button graphic onto your surface with Bare Paint and a paintbrush. I have done this on paper and used a thin piece of masking tape to ensure a clean thin break at my touch points. Below is my finished pair of touch buttons after being left to dry for several minutes. I have made sure that the starts of my lines come close to the edge of the paper so that they can be reached by a paperclip.
Breadboard Schematic
Make sure to double-check your connections using the circuit diagram and schematic below. You can use this while you follow along in the tutorial video, pausing the video when you need to get a closer look at which tracks are being connected.
Testing
You can test it by first touching the blue paperclips together to turn the LED ON and then touching the yellow pair together to turn it OFF.
Completed Circuit!
If this is working for you, you can now start experimenting with creating more interesting painted buttons with your paint - they don't even need to look like buttons. Try using vinyl cutouts as stencils or even try screen printing if you have access to the equipment. Check out these cool painted button below! Make sure to send in your crazy work so we can post it on our community wall - email us at community@bareconductive.com.