# NYE Circuit Playground Drop
## Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_chjrAdWZ0
Drop into the new year with a blinged out Circuit Playground Express!
This guide will show how to build a simple drop mechanism that mimics the famous Times Square Ball Drop on New Year's Eve in New York City.
Programming this celebrative project is easy using [Microsoft MakeCode](https://makecode.adafruit.com/), a drag and drop interface and language that requires no prior programming experience!
## Prerequisite guides
Reading or at least skimming through these guides before beginning will save you some time in the future. You can always refer back to them if you need help!
- [Cardboard Fundamentals](https://learn.adafruit.com/cardboard-fundamentals/overview)
- [Guide to Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express)
## Adafruit Parts
### Part: Circuit Playground Express (CPX)
quantity: 1
Circuit Playground Express is a great introduction to electronics and programming
[Circuit Playground Express (CPX)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
### Part: Continuous Rotation Micro Servo - FS90R
quantity: 1
Spins the spool with string to move the CPX up and down
[Continuous Rotation Micro Servo - FS90R](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2442)
### Part: USB cable
quantity: 1
USB A to Micro-B (Plugs into computer to program the CPX)
[USB cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
### Part: Hook-up Wire Spool Set - 22AWG Solid Core - 6 x 25 ft
quantity: 1
Wiring electronics
[Hook-up Wire Spool Set - 22AWG Solid Core - 6 x 25 ft](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1311)
### Part: Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh
quantity: 1
Powers the CPX
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
### Part: Multi-size wire stripper & cutter - 5023
quantity: 1
For cutting and stripping wires
[Multi-size wire stripper & cutter - 5023](https://www.adafruit.com/product/147)
Optional but recommended:
### Part: Small Alligator Clip to Male Jumper Wire Bundle - 12 Pieces
quantity: 1
Help with testing out code and prototyping project
[Small Alligator Clip to Male Jumper Wire Bundle - 12 Pieces](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3255)
## Tools and Materials
- Medium to large width corrugated cardboard - need at least 1 sheet sized 22 cm X 14 cm
- Scrap pieces of cardboard (to make spool and mount)
- Paper towel or aluminum foil roll center
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Hobby knife
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Twine or string
- Thumb tack
- Duct tape
- Glue stick
- Mini bamboo skewers
Optional:
- Cutting mat (for cutting cardboard)
- Construction paper, glitter glue, foil door curtain (for decorations)
- Popsicle stick for spreading glitter glue.
# NYE Circuit Playground Drop
## Program with MakeCode
## What is MakeCode?
MakeCode is a web-based code editor for physical computing made by Microsoft.
What does that mean for you? It means you can program your Circuit Playground Express to do almost anything you can dream up right from a website! You can code with blocks similar to the language Scratch, or you can do more advanced coding with Javascript. We'll be sticking to the block-based programming for this project.
More on MakeCode for Adafruit boards [here](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode).
## Create a New Project with MakeCode
Head over to [https://makecode.adafruit.com/](https://makecode.adafruit.com/) and create a new project.
Click the button below to access the code for this project.
[Click Here to Open the Project in MakeCode](https://makecode.com/_dFsXjcAWx2mU)
## What's going on the code above?
- On `start`, set the `volume` of the CPX speaker, set the variable `play` to `0`, then set all the NeoPixels to red.
- In a `forever loop`, we check to see if the variable `play` is set to 1. If it is, call the `song` function to play the tune "Auld Lang Syne" then set play to 0. As it's a forever loop, this code block loops forever regardless of other events that happen in the code!
- An abbreviated version of the song The "Auld Lang Syne" can be separated into 2 parts. The tune starts with part 1, then goes to part 2, before repeating again. Creating functions for these song parts then "calling" the functions later allows us to have much cleaner looking and more organized code. It also allows us to reduce the amount of code needed for the project making the program more efficient (more on that in the next code block).
- When the CPX is shaken, we call the function `countingdown`, set the variable `play` to 1, turn the NeoPixels rainbow, turn the servo clockwise for `3 seconds`, pause the servo for `15 seconds`, turn the servo counter-clockwise for `3 seconds` then turn the NeoPixels back to all red.
- In the `countingdown` function, we want to count the NeoPixels down one at a time, per second, from all red to all white. To do this with out making the code clunky, we can use something called a `while loop`. First, the NeoPixels are set to all red, then the variable `countdown` is set to `9`. In the `while loop`, as long as the variable `countdown` is greater than or equal to 0, each concurrent NeoPixel will change from red to white, every second. In each iteration of the loop, `countdown` is decremented by 1 until it reaches -1 at which point the program will exit the function and continue with the rest of the code to play the song and turn the servo.
- In the `on shake` code block, the piece of code that says "Servo write pin **A1** to (value between 0 and 180)" determines how fast or slow and what direction the servo spins. Values between 0 and 90 spin the servo clock wire and 90 - 180 is counter clockwise. The closer the values are to 90, the slower the servo will spin in either direction.
## Uploading the Code
Now that we have the code for the project, we need to upload it to the CPX.
Let's name our file and download it.
- Choose a name at the bottom of the page.
- Then click the pink **Download** button.
Follow the directions and connect your CPX to your computer via the usb cable. Click the CPX Reset button once to go into programming mode (all NeoPixels will turn green).
In some cases, you may need to press the reset button twice to get into programming mode.
Next, look for the file in your downloads folder and drag it onto your **CPLAYBOOT** drive that should have showed up in your file manager/finder when you plugged in your board and entered programming mode.
You should now see the **CPLAYBOOT** drive disappear.
The code should now be running and the NeoPixels should be all red. Before we test it out let's wire up the servo!
# NYE Circuit Playground Drop
## Wire Electronics
Before we build the mechanism we'll first wire up the electronics to make sure everything is working correctly. This will also help us get a handle on how the electronics will work in tandem with the cardboard and string components.
- Take the continuous servo's cable and plug in corresponding cable to CPX: Orange/yellow goes to **A1** on the CPX, red to **VOUT** , brown/black to **GND** \*
- Connect the battery to the CPX via the JST connector.
\* If you have the alligator clip to jumper wires this will be possible. If you only have wires, skip ahead to "Prep and Mount Electronics" section for how to wire the project with these components. I didn't have those specific components so I used alligators clips and attached them to jumper wires which works just fine as well for testing out the electronics.
The code should now be running so try it out!
- When the board is powered up, the NeoPixels on the CPX should turn red.
- When you shake the CPX, the NeoPixels should begin counting down turning clock-wise from red to white one NeoPixel every second.
- When the last NeoPixel turns white, NeoPixels turn into a rainbow pattern, the servo turns for 3 seconds and the "Auld Lang Syne" song comes on.
- After the servo is done turning the CPX should continue playing the song with rainbow NeoPixels until the song finishes.
- After a couple more seconds, the servo should turn the other way for about 3 seconds, then the NeoPixels should turn red again ready to restart the process.
If you are having issues getting things to work check out this extended guide [here](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode/downloading-and-flashing).
# NYE Circuit Playground Drop
## Build the Base and Mount
Danger:
- Use a hobby knife or box cutter to cut out a sheet of cardboard sized 22 cm X 14 cm.
- Glue a paper towel roll center to one end of cardboard sheet.
- Cut (or break with hands) a bamboo skewer to be roughly 17 cm long. Keep the pointy side as part of the piece.
- Glue on top of the roll center with the pointy side facing towards the length of the sheet. Leave a couple of centimeters of skewer to hang off the back.
- Use a string, a thumb tack and a pencil to draw a circle on some cardboard with a diameter of 8 cm. Tie the string to the thumb tack then measure a distance of 4 cm from the tack to a pencil and tie around pencil tip. Use the tack to guide the pencil around a circle. You may need to lay some extra cardboard underneath so that the tack can firmly rest in the cardboard without moving too much.
- Next, measure and draw two small rectangles sizes 2 cm X 3 cm.
- Use a hobby knife to cut out these pieces.
- Orient the servo so that the brown wire is facing upward. Glue the small rectangular pieces on the sides of the servo with the 3 cm lengths sticking out.
# NYE Circuit Playground Drop
## Make the Spool
- Measure and draw a rectangle on some cardboard sized 1 cm x 8 cm. Draw a line at every 2 cm point along the rectangle.
- Measure and draw a circle with a 4 cm diameter using the same string and thumb tack technique from earlier.
- Cut out the parts.
- On the rectangular piece, score along 2 cm lines.
- Bend and fold into square and glue onto one circle piece.
- Glue the other circle on top.
- Cut a string roughly 45 cm long and glue one end to spool.
- Wrap the string around the spool.
- Glue servo wing on the side of the spool making sure the spool is oriented such that the string is coming up and out to the right.
- Draw perpendicular lines through each side of the 8 cm circle.
- Attach servo onto wing and spool.
- Orient the spool and servo contraption on the 8 cm circle base such that the spool is centered. Double check that the string is facing towards the circle base top where it will be pulled through shortly.
- Glue down spool and servo contraption on circle base.
- On the front of the circle base, use a hobby knife to cut a hole in the top center.
- Pull spool string through hole.
# NYE Circuit Playground Drop
## Prep and Mount Electronics
- Use wire strippers to remove 1-2 cm of wire wrap from ends of each wire.\*
- If using stranded core, twist wires together.
\*I used jumper wires because solid core wires we're unavailable but the process is the same!
- Pull **black** wire through **GND** and twist around to create a tight connection.
- Repeat with **red** wire to **VOUT** and **yellow** to **`A1`**.
- Connect other ends of wire to servo cable. **Yellow/A1** to **orange** , **red/VOUT** to **red** , **black/GND** to **brown**.
- Put piece of duct tape in center of front side of circle base.
- Place CPX in center of tape.
- In order to counter balance the weight from the servo and spool which are on the right side of the back of the circle base, we need to place the battery on the other side.
- Put a piece of tape on the left side of the back of the circle piece and place the battery down with the wires facing the bottom.
- Gather / organize wires together and tape down.
- Insert JST connector from battery into CPX.
- Loosely tie a knot in the string.
- Place skewer though hole of knot and pull tight.
## Test it out!
Try shaking the CPX and see what happens. If the CPX doesn't fall/rise enough or falls/rises too far, go back to MakeCode and edit the `on shake` code block. Remember, the piece of code that says "Servo write pin **A1** to (value between 0 and 180)" can be edited to change the speed of the servo.
# NYE Circuit Playground Drop
## Extra Decoration
- Remove CPX from front of circle base.
- Use a popsicle stick to spread glitter glue on the front of the circle base.
- Remove some glue from the center where CPX will get taped back later.
- Spread another color of glitter glue on the paper towel core. Two layers may be preferable.
- Add whatever decorations you want! I followed the roll's line with a different color glitter glue.
- Draw the block letter numbers of what ever year you are celebrating.
- Cut 'em out.
- Attach to glitter glue on front circle base.
- Feel free to add glitter glue to the numbers if you'd like!
Info:
- Using some shiny door hanger material, glue to back of circle base so the pieces are hanging off.
- Place the CPX back in the center and plug in the battery.
- Holding the contraption up, cut off extraneous hanging pieces.
## Tie to the skewer and let it drop!
#
## Happy New Year!
## Featured Products
### Circuit Playground Express
[Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
**Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to...
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It's the **Circuit Playground Express Base Kit!** It provides the few things you'll need to get started with the new [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333). This version of Circuit Playground is super powered, and will...
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### Multi-size wire stripper & cutter
[Multi-size wire stripper & cutter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/147)
We've upgraded our basic 'adjustable' wire strippers to these multi-sized wire strippers. They include: 20-30 AWG strippers, wire cutters, 'plier' tips, and a wire loop. Ground blades for precision cutting. Spring return, comfy molded handles and a closing-lock.
In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/147/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 500mAh for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery,
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1578/guides)
### Small Alligator Clip to Male Jumper Wire Bundle - 12 Pieces
[Small Alligator Clip to Male Jumper Wire Bundle - 12 Pieces](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3255)
For bread-boarding with unusual non-header-friendly surfaces, these cables will be your best friends! No longer will you have long strands of alligator clips that are grabbing little wires. These compact jumper cables have a premium male header on one end, and a grippy mini alligator clip on...
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### Hook-up Wire Spool Set - 22AWG Solid Core - 6 x 25 ft
[Hook-up Wire Spool Set - 22AWG Solid Core - 6 x 25 ft](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1311)
Perfect for bread-boarding, free wiring, etc. This box contains 6 spools of solid-core wire. The wire is easy to solder to and when bent it keeps its shape pretty well. We like to have a few spools of this stuff around which is why this set is quite nice! We suggest picking up wire strippers...
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1311/guides)
### Continuous Rotation Micro Servo
[Continuous Rotation Micro Servo](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2442)
Need to make a _tiny_ robot? This little micro servo rotates 360 degrees fully forward or backward, instead of moving to a single position. You can use any servo code, hardware, or library to control these servos. Good for making simple moving robots. Comes with five horns and...
Out of Stock
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[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
## Related Guides
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- [Secret Hollow Book Intrusion Detector](https://learn.adafruit.com/secret-hollow-book.md)
- [ Memory-saving tips for CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/memory-saving-tips-for-circuitpython.md)
- [NeoPixels with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixels-with-makecode.md)
- [Sparky the Blue Smoke Monster Automaton](https://learn.adafruit.com/sparky-automaton.md)
- [Illuminated City Skyline with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/city-skyline-with-makecode-for-cpx.md)
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- [MicroBlocks Circuit Playground Express Ornament](https://learn.adafruit.com/microblocks-circuitplayground-express-ornament.md)
- [Your First Power Switch Relay Project - Circuit Playground Smart Plug](https://learn.adafruit.com/beginner-first-project-power-switch-relay-circuit-playground-smart-plug.md)
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