CRUNCH LABS 003 Label Maker Installation Guide

003 Label Maker

Product Information

Specifications

  • Product: Label Maker
  • Manufacturer: Crunch Labs
  • Parts Included:
    • Wood Structure x1
    • Writing Mechanisms x2
    • Electronics x2
    • Tools & Accessories:
      • x30
      • x28
      • x2
      • x18
      • x9
      • x12

Product Usage Instructions

Build Instructions

  1. Start by assembling the wood structure.
  2. Attach the writing mechanisms x2 to the designated slots.
  3. Connect the electronics x2 carefully.
  4. Use the provided tools & accessories to complete the
    assembly as per the manual.

Building Tips

Be cautious of sharp edges, especially at the bottom of the
board. Avoid poking yourself.

Ensure the correct motor with long wires is used for connecting
to the X-axis.


FAQ

Q: Where can I get missing or replacement parts?

A: Visit My Account at crunchlabs.com for free shipping of
missing or replacement parts.

Q: How do I confirm actions on the label screen?

A: Click the joystick to confirm your action on the label
screen.


“`

003 – LABEL MAKER

BUILD ALONG WITH MARK ROBER
CRUNCHLABS.COM/LABEL
2

WOOD STRUCTURE

PARTS

WRITING MECHANISMS

x2
ELECTRONICS
x2
TOOLS & ACCESSORIES

x30

x28

x2

x18

x9

x12

For missing and replacement parts, visit “My Account” at crunchlabs.com and we’ll ship them to you for free. 3

BUILD
1
2
4

3
PRO TIP!
The bottom of the board is pointy and sharp. Be careful not to poke yourself.
4

BUILD
5

BUILD
5
6
6

7

9

PRO TIP!
Make sure you are using the motor with long wires. This motor will connect to the X-axis.
8

BUILD
7

BUILD

10

11

12

13

twist(counterclockwise); 8

BUILD

14

15

9

BUILD

16

17

18
10

19

20

BUILD

11

BUILD
21
23
12

22
flip(180);

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25

BUILD

flip(180);
x3
13

BUILD
26
14

27
28 x3

29

30

flip(180);

BUILD
31
15

BUILD

32

33

16

BUILD

34

35

17

BUILD
36
18

37

38

PRO TIP!
Make sure the servo wires are clear of other wires so that the Y-axis carriage can move freely.

39

flip(180);

BUILD

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BUILD
40
20

BUILD

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42

21

BUILD

43

44

45

PRO TIP!
Make sure you leave a small gap between the pen and tape.
22

BUILT!

BUILD

23

BUILD
TEST
PRO TIP!
Make sure both are touching the tape.

CLICK

click();

Click the joystick to confirm your action on the label screen

Having trouble? Watch the video at crunchlabs.com/label

24

DOWN
Scroll DOWN on the joystick through the alphabet

BUILD
UP
Scroll UP on the joystick to get back to SPACE

RIGHT
Scroll RIGHT to add letters to the label

LEFT
Scroll LEFT to remove letters from the label
25

PLAY
HOW TO PULL OFF THE NAME SWAP PRANK
Did you know you can swap out text to have the Label Maker write something unexpected when a certain word or phrase is entered? By adding an “if” statement, which basically says “if the text they want to print is “MIKE” instead write “BUTT”, you can trick your friends. Check out the hacks for Label Maker in the Hack Pack coding console, and select PRANK to try this out.

PLAY
SWAP YOUR TOOLS
Try out different markers, pens, paintbrushes and even different types of tapes. See what you can create.

26

27

THINK
Stepper motors move in small discrete steps by energizing coils in a specific sequence to pull the magnet into alignment with tiny teeth inside the motor, called steps. Each step corresponds to a fixed angle of rotation, enabling very precise positioning and control.
Joystick input (up down left right) from your thumb creates a “label” text which is translated by the microcontroller into a series of coordinates for each letter.
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THINK
The microcontroller uses those coordinates to control the motion of a stepper motor via a wired connection to the stepper motor driver inside the mechanical spinner. First, the microcontroller breaks up the word letter by letter, and pulls from memory the coordinates that make up each letter. The microcontroller uses each coordinate to drive the stepper motors to the correct position by breaking up the movement into X and Y steps.
Like a regular DC motor, stepper motors are also controlled by turning electromagnets on and off to rotate a magnetic rotor core.
29

THINK HOLDING DOWN THE TAPE

Stepper motors are specifically designed to rotate in small, distinct steps. They allow precise control over movement, making them ideal for applications requiring accuracy, like 3D printers, robotic arms, and pen plotters like your label maker.

The spring loaded motor arm presses the X axis motor into the side of the tape. Note how the gritty surface of the wheel keys into the surface of the tape as it rotates. By rotating the tape from the outside, the label maker can adapt to fit more sizes of tape, without having to adjust the width of the text for different sized tape rolls.
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MPRIENTCTHHE ALENTTEIRSSMS

THINK
The Y axis motor drives a special spiraled rod called a lead screw, which converts the rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion for moving the pen up and down.

The entire Y-axis and pen assembly is mounted on linear rails, which allows the servo motor to pick the pen up off the paper, as well as adapt to different sizes of tape.

Inside the Label Maker, we used a constant force spring, normally used for keychains. The spring exerts just enough force on the marker so that it can write, while applying the same amount of pressure across a wide range.
31

HACK
SOFTWARE
Y2K TEXTING
Hack in the IR reciever from your Turret and type like your parents.

(2,5) (0,3) (0,0)
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CREATE YOUR OWN CHARACTER
All the characters on the Label Maker exist on a 5 by 5 grid, go to the IDE to hack on your own.

ETCH A SKETCH MODE
Program your Label Machine into an etch a sketch machine. Move by rotating your joystick.

HACK
HARDWARE

ANALOG GAMING
Turn your label maker into a gaming device by hacking in the light sensor from your Domino build instead of the pen.
33

SHARE
SHOW OFF YOUR HACKS
Share your software mods and explore more ways to hack your Label Maker on crunchlabs.com
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ADD THE LABEL MAKER GEAR BADGE TO YOUR HACKPACK DIPLOMA.
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WARNING: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This toy is intended for use by children over the age of fourteen years. These instructions contain important information, do not throw away. © 2024 CrunchLabs LLC, All Rights Reserved

Documents / Resources

CRUNCH LABS 003 Label Maker [pdf] Installation Guide
003 Label Maker, 003, Label Maker, Maker

References

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