Perler
Perler Activity
Purpose
Pixel art is a fun activity for people of all ages. It does not require technical background and provides an in person experience. Makerspace at Magfest had a table dedicated Perler art that was well received.
Materials
- Beads: https://www.perler.com/perler-storefront-catalog/products/categories/beads/
- In order to keep to a single standard, only use standard bead size (no minis).
- Pegboard
- Square size standards interlock for lager surface area: https://www.michaels.com/perler-larger-interlocking-pegboard-set-4ct./10665282.html
- Patterns for special shapes (ie Star, Circle)
- Plastic quality is an issue when heating perlerbeads. Too hot for too long will warp the pegboard
- Wax Paper: For ironing final product
Equipment
- Clothing Iron
- Tweezers
- Type: Circuit tweezer, plastic
- Hot Glue: 3D Model Perler
- Color Printer: Print reference
Measurements
Bead
- Outer Diameter: 5mm
- Height: 4.9mm
- Hole Diameter: 2.75mm
Kits
- Basic: 25x25 (625) flat image
- Intermediate: 3D Model (Assume ~5000 beads for a model that fits in a 28x28x28)
- Advanced: Complete freedom
- LED lighting
- Stepper motion
Templates
We should have pre-printed existing templates that go under the transparent trays.
- Video Game Characters
- Logos
Software
Need a very quick interface that allows a user to quickly generate a pixel art template with the following features
- Select a square image from any given image
- Resize as needed (ie flags may need to be increased in resolution)
- Generate basic template
- Allow color substitution based on available pixels
- Color swap
Sourcing Material
Perler.com
| Item | Cost | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beads: 6000 | $11.05 | 12 + 1 mix | https://www.perler.com/perler-storefront-catalog/products/6000-beads-see-all-colors/?entryCode=80-11092 |
| Beads: 1000 (6+) | $2.47 | 100 + 8 mix | https://www.perler.com/perler-storefront-catalog/products/categories/beads/1000-beads-see-all-colors/ |
| Beads: 1000 (3+) | $2.72 | 100 + 8 mix | https://www.perler.com/perler-storefront-catalog/products/categories/beads/1000-beads-see-all-colors/ |
| Pegboard 4x | $11.05 | Note | https://www.perler.com/perler-storefront-catalog/products/categories/pegboards/large-clear-square-pegboards-4-ct_80-22666/ |
| Item | Cost | Note | Link |
| Item | Cost | Note | Link |
Ebay
| Item | Cost | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perler Bead Pen 2x | $12.74 | https://www.ebay.com/itm/334251765096?epid=1530943594&hash=item4dd2f52d68:g:2TcAAOSwLvdhtaH0 | |
| Item | Cost | Note | Link |
Michaels
| Item | Cost | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bead Pen | $5.99 | https://www.michaels.com/perler-bead-pen/10393736.html | |
| Pegboard 2x | $4.99 | https://www.michaels.com/perler-large-clear-pegboard/10446708.html | |
| Item | Cost | Note | Link |
| Item | Cost | Note | Link |
Cost Calculation
Basic kit for a 28x28 flat model is 784 beads max.
Most boards will probably be around the 300 since entire square will not be used.
Assuming loss while transporting, cleaning, general use during craft nights, assume loss of ~200 and night.
Estimated Prices
- Per Kit Cost
- 1000 single color beads: ~$2.00
- 1000 multiple color beads: ~$1.60
- Baking Sheet: ~$.10
- Reuse Cost
- Clothing Iron: Already at space
- Pegboard 28x28: $2.75
- Tweezers
- Perler Plastic: ~$1.75
- Perler Minibead Metal: $3.31 (already at space)
- ESD Tweezers: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=esd+tweezer&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=dupont+tweezer&_osacat=0
| Item | Amount | Unit Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pegboard | 12 | $2.75 | $33.00 |
| Beads x1000 | 12 | $2.00 | $24.00 |
| Tweezer | 12 | $2.00 | $24.00 |
| $81 |
If we make the class $5 per attendee, we need at least 17 attendees to be net positive for the $85 initial cost (2 classes with 10 max).
Future Robotic Projects
Sweeper Machine
When you're playing with beads, a lot of them will end up on the floor. It would be cool to make a micro-robot that collects stray beads on the table and floor.
Perler Printer
Load up an image and have a printer actual lay out of beads on a pegboard.
Conditions will include the following:
- Image Size
- Color range
Inspiration
- Bügelperlen sortieren mit Arduino/Sorting iron beads with Arduino: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNxA1oXaZy4
- https://www.reddit.com/r/beadsprites/comments/eemqvs/all_new_perler_color_rgb_hex_codes_have_been/
- https://maker.pro/raspberry-pi/tutorial/how-to-create-object-detection-with-opencv
- https://projects-raspberry.com/drv8825-stepper-motor-driver-on-rpi-3-win10-iot/
- https://ben.akrin.com/?p=9768
- https://www.rototron.info/raspberry-pi-stepper-motor-tutorial/
- https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2598302
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew2EFa5V5R8&list=PLYtfyv57HQ7RHqrkWN3AvoaTVHN9qpoub&index=8&ab_channel=BernhardSchwerdtner
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JVU5CpxKNA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_Bq3Zj3838 Linear Servo Cheap DIY 3D-Printed Upgrade less than 10$
- https://houseofgeekiness.blogspot.com/p/not-all-beads-are-created-equal-when-it.html
Lessons Learned
Workshops
- Current 8oz bins are too large for individual stations. Need smaller containers attendees can scoop from color bins.
- Too much heat will warp the 25x25 frames that they are not viable after
