Challenging how you think circuits are made and challenging who you think can make them

TapeBlock Characters

Tip: When using conductive tape cut the silver not the white. Cut the tape not the backing. It saves having to separate the tape from the backing. 

TapeBlock Characters are great for combining electronic circuits with creativity. This page as the basic instructions for making a TapeBlock character integrated with an integrated circuit. This is followed by a range of TapeBlock characters videos to inspire you. The basic circuit in each is similar with the placement and number of components being changed to suit the character. The page is arranged with fur characters, foam characters, then multiple component characters

5 TapeBlock Characters in a horozontal row: Black fur character, Green and Blue Train, Dragon, Fish and Bird

 

The Basics TapeBlock Character

Materials

  • LED(s)
  • Battery Holder
  • Battery
  • Conductive Tape
  • Eyes
  • Glue

Aim

To Make a TapeBlock Character that Lights Up

Instructions

  1. Take a foam block
  2. Take the two legs of an LED and split them apart until the LED will sit flat on a foam block.
  3. Orientate the LED legs so they run along the centre of one of the long sides of the block
  4. Wrap a piece of conductive tape over the top of one legs of the LED legs and take it half way around the block. 
  5. Wrap a second piece of conductive tape over the top of the second leg of the LED and around the back of the block but leave a 1cm gap to the other piece of tape
  6. Insert the battery holder and battery with one pin in each of the pieces of tape.

Problems Solving

If the LED TapeBlock is not working check that the legs on the LED are touching conductive tape, check that the LED is the correct direction. 

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TapeBlock Fur Characters

 Instructions

  1. Take the fur, check which direction you want it to go.
  2. Fold the fur in half and put a small cut in it to fit the LED through
  3. Glue the fur onto the block while the LED pops out of the hole. Make sure that you do not cover the battery holder.
  4. Cut back the fur around the eyes.
  5. Decorate
  6. Stick the eyes on with glue.

TapeBlock Foam Characters

Instructions

  1. Take the 1mm foam sheet and cut to the size and shape that you want.
  2. Glue the foam onto the block
  3. You can use a hole punch to make it so that the LED pops out of the hole. 
  4. You can use pins to hold the foam in place when the glue dries
  5. Stick the eyes on with glue (I usually do this last so they don't slide around. 

Recycled TapeBlock Vibrating Fur Character

Make a fur character TapeBlock that vibrates with a light up a light up nose from a standard LED. It is created using an existing TapeBlock and adding components

Materials

  • Vibration TapeBlock
  • LED
  • Battery Holder
  • Battery
  • Conductive Tape
  • Fur
  • Eyes
  • Glue

Aim

To Make a fur purring TapeBlock character that vibrates with a light up a light up nose 

Instructions

  1. Take an existing vibration TapeBlock
  2. Take the two legs of an LED and split them apart until the LED will sit flat on a foam block beside the Vibration motor
  3. Orientate the LED legs so they run along the centre of one of the long sides of the block
  4. Wrap short pieces of two parallel rows of conductive tape over the top of the legs of the LED. 
  5. Insert the battery holder and battery with one pin in each of the rows of tape.
  6. Take the fur, check which direction you want it to go.
  7. Fold the fur in half and put a small cut in it to fit the LED through
  8. Glue the fur onto the block while the LED pops out of the hole. Make sure that you do not cover the battery holder.
  9. Cut back the fur around the eyes.
  10. Stick the eyes on with glue.

Problems Solving

If the LED TapeBlock is not working check that the legs on the LED are touching conductive tape, check that the LED is the correct direction.

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