One of the first art installations I’ve ever done was „Feel My Pain“ device for an artist Berislav Šimičić.

The original device has been worn out from the usage, probably broken and definitely lost, so it needed reincarnation with some tweaks in mechanical parts and slight redesign. Simple way to describe the device is to say it’s a linear actuator with specific speed and delay intervals.

First time I was making it, I have used some re-purposed transistors and keyboard electronics and all programming was done in DOS QBasic. It was kinda obsolete even back then and now it would be like trying to make a computer out of dinosaur bones. This time I decided to use popular Arduino microcontroller.
With some help from Goran (Radiona) a program was constructed, and with the help of my former battle robots competitions friend Drago, a couple of Arduinos were destroyed. And yes, because of our lack of experience we burned one Arduino and the other two decided to commit suicide during the operation when we tried to resurrect them.

I used CNC machine to cut out all the parts for the construction out of 10mm thick plexiglass, to follow the originality from the time. Screw was turned to size and adopted for the small gear motor.

After I had all the components, the final positioning and assembly has began.
I needed to add a secondary power supply, because there was some unavoidable feedback to the microcontroller that was resetting the system.

Unlike the last time when there was controller board and a full desktop computer, now everything is packed in one single device that only needs to be plugged into the power line to be fully operational.

Arduino microcontroller (Croduino)

Dual voltage regulators

Dual relays

The main screw

A mount for the microphone

Underside

Dual power supply connectors

One of the end switches

The project is currently displayed at the “Each standing in other’s light” exhibition in Gallery Galženica.
So, if you wanna learn more about the exhibition and the concept, you can find more info here.