Project · draft
RFID Machine-Induction Check-in for Fab Lab Tools
- intermediate
- 6-8 hours
SDG 8 · Decent Work and Economic Growth
Supports safe working environments (target 8.8): only people inducted on a machine are shown as cleared, and usage hours are logged for fair cost sharing.
Safety notes
- Information only: do not wire this version to switch mains power to a machine. Any interlock must be designed with a qualified electrician and must never bypass the machine's own e-stop.
- Card UIDs (e.g. MIFARE Classic) can be copied; treat this as a training record, not access security.
Draft and unofficial, not affiliated with Fab Academy or the United Nations. Check prices, GST and parts before you buy.
Summary
A laser-cut wall unit beside a machine: tap your card, it shows whether you are inducted on that tool and starts a session timer; tap again to log off. Lab staff manage the allow-list from a web page.
What it teaches
Read 13.56 MHz cards over SPI, keep an allow-list per machine, show a clear green/red status, log sessions to a spreadsheet or MQTT, and think through privacy (store card IDs, not names) and the limits of card UIDs as identity.
Topics it touches, in Fab Academy-style terms:
- Input devices
- Output devices
- Embedded programming
- Networking and communications
- Computer-controlled cutting
Parts list
Parts cost
Some parts are not priced yet, so there's no total.
1 required part is marked not priced yet below, and 1 optional. Where a price is known it is shown per part, GST-inclusive as the seller listed it on 24 Oct 2026, with the GST rate unverified. Shipping is not included.
| Part | Qty | Unit | Price, GST-incl. as listed | Line cost | GST | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32 NodeMCU 30-Pin WiFi Bluetooth Development Board CP2102esp32-devkit-30pin | 1 | pcs | ₹425 | ₹425 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| RC522 13.56 MHz RFID reader module with card and key tagrfid-rc522-kit3.3 V only | 1 | set | not priced yet | not priced yet | GST unverified | no seller yet |
| WS2812 8 Bit RGB LED (straight)led-ws2812-8barStatus bar | 1 | pcs | ₹30 | ₹30 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Passive Buzzer Module 3.3V-5V DCbuzzer-passive-module | 1 | pcs | ₹35 | ₹35 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| 0.96 Inch OLED Display Module SPI/I2C 4pin Blue Coloroled-096-i2cI2C 0x3C | 1 | pcs | ₹167 | ₹167 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| 400 Tie Points Solderless Breadboardbreadboard-half-400 | 1 | pcs | ₹39 | ₹39 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Male to Female Jumper Wires (20cm) (20pcs)jumpers-f2m-20cm-20Pack: pack of 20 male-female 20cm | 1 | set | ₹28 | ₹28 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Male to Male Jumper Wires (20cm) (20pcs)jumpers-m2m-20cm-20Pack: pack of 20 male-male 20cm | 1 | set | ₹31 | ₹31 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Part | Qty | Unit | Price, GST-incl. as listed | Line cost | GST | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB A Type to Micro USB B Type 1M Cable (Colour may vary)cable-usb-micro-1mSkip if you already have a data-capable micro-USB cable | 1 | pcs | ₹36 | ₹36 | GST unverified, typically 18% | Robocrazeread 24 Oct 2026 |
| Cast/extruded acrylic sheet, 3 mm (laser-cut parts)acrylic-3mm-sheetLaser-cut wall housing | 1 | sheet | not priced yet | not priced yet | GST unverified | no seller yet |
The Part column links to the shared catalogue. Units are pcs, m, g, sheet or set, and a "set" is the seller's pack, as noted per part.
Tools you will need
- Laser cutter
- Soldering iron
- Laptop with Arduino IDE/PlatformIO
Build notes
Step-by-step build notes have not been written yet for this draft. The summary, the topics above and the parts list are what exists so far.
How to buy
There is no online checkout. To buy or import these parts, email info@curiosta.com and say what you need. The button opens your own email app with a draft; nothing is sent until you send it.
Prices on this site are third-party seller listings, not a Curiosta quote. Ask by email for availability, price and GST.