Mood Scale Customizable Communication Device

Learning starts in the early ages with communmication! :)

From time to time I give some lessons at a local shool for learning disabled kids. Some Day they asked me to design a mood scale to help to achieve a better communication with some students.

So here it is! 

This device can help younger kids or disabled students to communicate with the teacher/ grown ups.

Through simple pictures, children can easily grasp and convey their feelings or other ready-made content using the pointer.

Benefits

• Easy to print parts.
• Get creative yourself (Custom Drawings, remix culture, Multicolor)
   
• The interlocking design makess this design functional without any further hardware.
• Interchangeable backgrounds (fast, easy)
   

Usage

Use the mood scale without any further hardware as a handheld communication device.

Use the mood scale with magnets on metallic surfaces

Use the mood scale as a permanently installed communication device with Screws.

Available “Mood” Pictures

As I mentioned in the beginning this is more of a communication device than a simple “Mood Scale”. So you can create your own Inlets to create many more topics to talk about via this device.

To do so you can use a piece of paper and draw/ print custom pictures. Laminating these could increase their durability.
To hold the paper sheets in place you can print the file Mood_Scale_DIY_Pictures and optionally use the template to cut the paper sheets to the correct size.
Also you can create and print your own remixed Picture Inserts. I provided the .step file to do so in this design.

In designed some “standard” pictures for a start:

Mood Smileys in DualColor and Multicolor and a Weather Inlet.
 

Additional (Optional) Hardware

Depending on the way you plan on using this device you will need weather 4 x 6 mm Diameter x 4 mm (Neodym) magnets or 2 x 3 mm Wood Screws.

Print Instructions

I tested all parts in PLA & PETG. But PLA will work just fine.

• 0,2 mm layer height 0,4 mm Nozzle
• Supports underneath the pointer.
• First layer only 1 perimeter for the motives
   

For the multicolor prints: If you have an MMU System You can easily choose the colors you like to! (Use .3MF or the .STL and separate the Part into single objects)

If you don't have a MMU System you can go for the DualColor Design and you will only have 1 color change at the first layer.

Pointer standard vs. Skeleton is only optics :)
 

Assembly
 

1. Add a Picture Insert (Or Paper + frame). You can bend the Backplate or Insert a little to do so.
2. Decide weather to mount the Backplate to a Wall or use Magnets. 
   1. If you want to mount it to a wall use 2 x 3 mm Screws and do so with the back plate. Or use some double sided tape.
   2. If you want to use Magnets insert the 4 Magnets now.
3. Add the Pointer to the Assembly.
4. Slide the Front Piece over the Backplate. Lift it up a little to raise it over the pointer.
5. Ready to go! The Pointer will hold the Front Plate in Place and you will not see any hardware from the front!

Tipp: If your Slider does not moove freely, check if there are leftover supports or use some lubrication like paraffin wax.

Have fun!

Looking forward to your custom designs!