Project Hub /Basic Analog & Power Electronics/PiemPi Machine

Intermediate

RASPBERRY PI

₹5,000 – ₹15,000

6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

PiemPi Machine

An automated poetry generator built with a Raspberry Pi Zero that calculates Pi decimals using the Chudnovsky algorithm and prints out 'Piems' (poems where word lengths represent Pi digits) on a thermal printer.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

Raspberry Pi 3 - Model B+ 1.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core Processor with 1 GB Ram (Original) Rs. 5,400.00
2-Slot 18650 Holder with Protective Cover and On/Off Switch – Case Rs. 109.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: LCD (generic / unspecified)
Enclosure / Box / Case
SD / MicroSD Card

Browse all components

How It Works

The PiemPi Machine operates as an autonomous algorithmic text generator powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W running a lightweight, headless Raspberry Pi OS. Power is delivered to the system via a robust 5V 4A power supply, routed through a DFRobot self-locking switch that acts as the physical main power control for the enclosure. Once booted from the microSD card, the Raspberry Pi executes a Python 3 script utilizing the Chudnovsky algorithm to compute digits of mathematical constant Pi with high precision. As the algorithm runs, the system processes these numerical digits into text-based 'Piems'—poems structured specifically so that individual word lengths correspond sequentially to the digits of Pi. The system then outputs these generated poems physically by driving a 58 mm thermal printer, while a 4-digit 7-segment display provides a real-time visual indicator or counter connected directly to the Pi's GPIO pins. All of these custom electronics, along with the necessary jumper cable wiring, are housed neatly inside a custom 3D-printed case designed to hold the thermal printer, display, power switch, and single-board computer together as a cohesive, standalone unit.

Why Build This

Explore creative computing and algorithmic art by translating mathematical constants like Pi into unique, generated poetry.

Learn practical embedded systems integration by wiring and programming a headless Raspberry Pi Zero with peripheral hardware like a thermal printer and a 7-segment display.

Gain hands-on experience assembling power management circuits, such as integrating a self-locking power switch with a dedicated 5V 4A power supply.

Real-World Application

Creative computing, algorithmic art, educational tools for memorizing mathematical constants, and custom embedded peripheral integration.

Skills You'll Learn

Python programming

GPIO peripheral interfacing

thermal printer control

7-segment display multiplexing

basic power distribution and switching

headless Linux OS operation

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

PYTHON

CHUDNOVSKY ALGORITHM

THERMAL PRINTER

7-SEGMENT DISPLAY

FUSION 360

3D PRINTING

LINUX

SSH

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Raspberry Pi OS need to be headless (without a desktop)?

Running a headless OS saves valuable system memory and processing power on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, allowing the Python script to focus purely on executing the Chudnovsky algorithm and driving the connected peripherals.

How does the thermal printer connect to the Raspberry Pi Zero?

The thermal printer connects to the Raspberry Pi using jumper cables for data communication (typically via UART serial or USB depending on the model) and draws operating power from the 5V power supply setup.

What is the purpose of the 4-digit 7-segment display in this setup?

The 7-segment display acts as an auxiliary output device, driven by the Raspberry Pi to visually showcase numerical data, counters, or status codes related to the Pi digits being calculated.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-00788