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Last week, my mom asked me to hang a photo frame on the wall. I grabbed a ruler and a drill machine, drilled two holes, and mounted the frame. She pointed out that the frame looked slightly tilted, even though it seemed fine to me. She also mentioned that the kitchen slab was tilted, causing water to flow in the wrong direction.

By noticing these issues, I realized that one important tool was missing from my collection—a spirit level (bubble level).

So, I decided to make my own: Planum – A Digital Spirit Level Tool. The name “Planum” comes from the word for a flat, even, and horizontal surface.

This device uses a 6-axis IMU sensor to detect whether the surface it’s placed on is level or not. If the surface is level, the display shows a green bubble; if it’s not, the bubble turns red.

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The device also includes a calibration feature for accurate measurements. It is battery-powered, rechargeable via a USB Type-C port, and designed with portability in mind. The 3D-printed case is compact enough to be used as a keychain, so you can easily carry it anywhere.

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This device is quite similar to one of my previous projects, SoulCage – the Digital Trapped Soul Pendant for Halloween. So, with this build, you’re actually getting two projects in one!

What is spirit level (bubble level)

A spirit level, also known as a bubble level, is a tool used to check whether a surface is straight, flat, or properly aligned. It contains a small liquid-filled tube with an air bubble inside. When the bubble rests exactly in the center, it means the surface is level (perfectly horizontal or vertical). This tool is very handy for hanging photo frames, installing shelves, laying tiles, or any work that needs precise alignment. In short, it helps you avoid tilted or uneven surfaces.

Supplies

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COMPONENTS:

TOOLS:

Waveshare ESP32-S3 Round 1.28-inch Display

The Waveshare ESP32-S3 LCD 1.28-inch board is a compact and powerful microcontroller module, perfect for wearable and portable projects. At its core, it uses ESP32 with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 for wireless connectivity. It includes 512 KB SRAM, 2 MB PSRAM, and 16 MB Flash memory for smooth performance. The standout feature is its 1.28-inch round IPS display with 240×240 resolution and rich 65K colors. Other highlights include a Type-C connector, lithium battery management, and a 6-axis motion sensor, making it versatile, low-power, and easy to integrate into creative digital projects.

CNC Metal Case

Waveshare also provides a CNC-machined metal case for the board. The case is designed with precise cutouts, giving a perfect fit for the 1.28-inch display and the Type-C port. The sleek black metal finish not only protects the device but also gives it a premium and professional look, making the device feel more like a finished product than just an electronic project.

3D Printed Back Cover

The CNC metal case provided by Waveshare is excellent, but it doesn’t include space for a battery. To fix this, I designed and built a custom back cover for the case. This cover securely holds the battery and also gave me the flexibility to add a hook at the top. Thanks to this hook, the device can easily be used as a keychain.

3.7V 950mAh Lipo Battery

For this project, I chose a 3.7V 950mAh battery, which fits perfectly inside the custom back cover....

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