tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5920675368653028452024-03-19T03:33:13.768-05:00Software & Sawdustwhile( !doneItAll )
{
KeepMakingSawdust();
}ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-84587830187245126722016-06-08T23:37:00.001-05:002016-06-08T23:37:34.887-05:00Happy Birthday to AllJoyn Nashville!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jGNuBs_T4m4/V1jyhg6BEVI/AAAAAAAAFk8/DqIZLNyBn4g/s1600-h/IMG_20160607_183204%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20160607_183204" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_20160607_183204" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i6xNwVs-12k/V1jyiNp5QMI/AAAAAAAAFlE/y2gvXxER1qg/IMG_20160607_183204_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="405"></a></p> <p>Last night I had the pleasure of kicking off the <a href="http://www.meetup.com/AllJoyn-Nashville/events/230845589/" target="_blank">inaugural meetup</a> of <a href="http://www.meetup.com/AllJoyn-Nashville/" target="_blank">AllJoyn Nashville</a>. It was a huge success with about 30 people there once everyone arrived. </p> <p>The meetup was a joint effort between the <a href="http://www.meetup.com/nashmicro/" target="_blank">NashMicro user group</a> and AllJoyn Nashville. NashMicro is a user group of <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nashville,+TN/@36.186836,-86.925327,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8864ec3213eb903d:0x7d3fb9d0a1e9daa0!8m2!3d36.1626638!4d-86.7816016" target="_blank">Nashvillians</a> interested in general microcontroller & electronics topics. Since <a href="https://allseenalliance.org/framework" target="_blank">AllJoyn</a> is a topic of interest to NashMicronians (NashMicro members), it made sense to host this meeting with them. </p> <p>Meeting together was a big win for both groups. NashMicro had the benefit of an interesting topic, good food, and prizes that AllJoyn Nashville brought. AllJoyn Nashville benefited by having an established member base of over 400 NashMicronians to introduce themselves to and a great location to meet. Until AllJoyn Nashville has enough membership and interest that it makes sense for us to meet on our own, we will continue to have joint meetings with NashMicro at least every 4-6 months. For anyone looking to start an AllJoyn group, I would highly recommend cross promoting with other similar minded groups in your community if possible.</p> <p>The meetup started with a taco bar from Swanky’s. You can’t have an after work meetup without food if you want folks to stay for the duration and socialize. A huge thanks goes out to the <a href="https://allseenalliance.org/" target="_blank">Allseen Alliance</a> for picking up the tab for the food & drinks!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HhG0QtntlhE/V1jyiSdfMiI/AAAAAAAAFlM/zQFNeYbXB48/s1600-h/IMG_20160607_182225%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20160607_182225" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_20160607_182225" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CnlLkmbx1U8/V1jyiqCGudI/AAAAAAAAFlU/QarpWQxQT54/IMG_20160607_182225_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="396"></a></p> <p>For the main presentation, I gave my “AllJoyn All The Things” <a href="http://prezi.com/ulbk9pslptib/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy" target="_blank">talk</a> that I had presented at <a href="http://www.codemash.org/" target="_blank">CodeMash</a> 2016 back in February. It was well received there and acted as a catalyst to make me want to further study AllJoyn and find others in the area also interested. The presentation was also well received at the AllJoyn Nashville meetup and some folks I talked to afterwards have decided to actively pursue integrating AllJoyn into devices they are currently developing. That’s the kind of feedback every speaker loves to receive.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t1KqZeeUDKQ/V1jyi2Dkb8I/AAAAAAAAFlc/ccqyb2Kf87Q/s1600-h/highres_450879612%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="highres_450879612" style="display: inline" alt="highres_450879612" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aQ1uey_ngOk/V1jyjDXh02I/AAAAAAAAFlk/RdTFQZWkGFQ/highres_450879612_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="396"></a></p> <p>AllJoyn Nashville wasn’t really something I’d considered starting on my own. After giving the presentation at CodeMash, I put the talk on the NashMicro calendar and it was advertised as a MeetUp event. The folks at the Allseen Alliance (a <a href="http://collabprojects.linuxfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Linux Foundation collaborative project</a>) took notice that I was promoting AllJoyn and approached me about becoming an <a href="https://allseenalliance.org/ian-lee" target="_blank">AllJoyn Ambassador</a>. One of the primary jobs as an <a href="https://allseenalliance.org/framework/ambassadors" target="_blank">Ambassador</a> is to lead an <a href="https://allseenalliance.org/framework/user-groups" target="_blank">AllJoyn user group</a>. And as they say, the rest is history… If you’ve ever had any hesitation about speaking at a user group or conference, let this serve as a good example of one of the unexpected benefits that can come from it.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qQVRlWxmmpc/V1jyjVFDxmI/AAAAAAAAFls/ubnXXep-Nyk/s1600-h/IMG_20160607_201900%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20160607_201900" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_20160607_201900" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bts_g9x1_10/V1jyji169uI/AAAAAAAAFl0/Hou8Ob_62eU/IMG_20160607_201900_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="393"></a></p> <p>My presentation makes heavy use of <a href="http://lifx.com" target="_blank">LIFX WiFi bulbs</a>. So, once I became an AllJoyn Ambassador I immediately took advantage of my new title and connections and contacted the folks at LIFX, who are also Allseen Alliance members, about sponsoring my efforts. They were very generous and agreed to donate some bulbs and coupon codes for me to give away. I gave away four <a href="http://www.lifx.com/products/color-1000?variant=8930428227" target="_blank">LIFX Color 1000 bulbs</a> at this meeting and the recipients were all very excited to receive them. Many thanks to LIFX for being the first AllJoyn Nashville sponsor! We hope its a mutually beneficial partnership for many years.</p> <p>I’ll be contacting many more <a href="https://allseenalliance.org/alliance/members" target="_blank">Allseen Alliance members</a> in the near future about becoming sponsors. If you know anyone that would be interested in becoming an AllJoyn Nashville sponsor, please contact me.</p> <p>NashMicro also gave away books from <a href="https://www.nostarch.com/" target="_blank">No Starch Press</a> and a free software license from <a href="http://www.jetbrains.com/" target="_blank">JetBrains</a>. Many thanks to those sponsors, also!</p> <p>I also need to add a special thanks to the folks at <a href="http://myemma.com/" target="_blank">Emma</a> for letting us meet with NashMicro at their wonderful <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Emma,+Inc./@36.1577404,-86.7699594,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x886465d5b3e7f039:0x39905c4a80089ec1!8m2!3d36.1577361!4d-86.7677707" target="_blank">Bistro space</a>.</p> <p>Overall, I’m very glad that we’ve started this group in Nashville and I hope that it leads to more companies integrating AllJoyn into their products. If you have an interest in AllJoyn and you’re near Nashville then come <a href="http://www.meetup.com/AllJoyn-Nashville/" target="_blank">join us</a>. If you’re not in our area, then <a href="https://allseenalliance.org/ambassador-application" target="_blank">apply to become an Ambassador</a> and start an AllJoyn user group of your own.</p> <p>The attendees asked me many questions about AllJoyn that I didn’t fully know how to answer. So, its time to go learn! That’s part of what’s so great about participating in a user group like this. We’re all in it together and no one expects any one of us to be an expert of all things. But, when we divide and conquer and all come back to the next meetup with just a little more knowledge to share then we eventually all become experts.</p> <p>Happy birthday AllJoyn Nashville! Let’s go “AllJoyn all the Things!”</p>ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-53206743477650452572015-11-04T23:04:00.000-06:002015-11-04T23:04:41.332-06:00Valorworks Soldering Badge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y0U7LE6JTHs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y0U7LE6JTHs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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This is a soldering badge kit that I designed for <a href="http://valorworks.com/" target="_blank">Valorworks</a>, a maker group getting started at <a href="http://valorcollegiate.org/" target="_blank">Valor Collegiate Academy</a>. The design is based on their school's logo. Costs came out at $2.05 per board (qty 50).<br />
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Altium <a href="http://circuitmaker.com/" target="_blank">CircuitMaker </a>was used to design the schematic & PCB. The files are open source and available <a href="http://workspace.circuitmaker.com/Projects/E8BDD4A5-301C-4933-83FF-5AAD9F9274EC" target="_blank">here</a>. The design uses four flashing 3mm orange LEDs on the points of the compass and a single 0603 SMT blue LED in the center. They're all powered by a single 3V CR1225 coin cell battery.<br />
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The design works well with one exception. The battery voltage drops off quicker than I'd expected and as a result it falls below the 2.8V forward voltage of the blue LED within 10 minutes and it stops functioning. The orange LEDs continue to function for another 48 hrs. We're using the cheapest batteries that can be found on eBay. So, these numbers can likely be greatly improved by simply using a higher quality battery. For this batch, it was decided to eliminate the blue LED and its resistor. If a second batch is needed in the future then we'll consider a hardware revision.<br />
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Assembly instructions are in the video below. Note that the steps to solder the blue LED and SMT resistor are not needed in the v1.0 badge.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LGZaJ2X2d7s/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LGZaJ2X2d7s?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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If you or your company are interested in having a custom soldering kit created for a workshop, birthday party or other event <a href="http://blog.ianlee.info/p/contact-me.html" target="_blank">contact me</a> with details.</div>
<br />ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-25878712692081662822015-02-27T14:30:00.001-06:002023-02-12T21:28:08.557-06:00MAKE: Step into Light and Sound in Interactive Synesthesia Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezine.com/2015/02/27/step-into-light-and-sound-in-interactive-synesthesia-experience/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HxEWuSNzPk95XAy2yuVCXuMsTSrLivo8fV8N0p1aC_931nQEQs2EUxA_HEP2cmdqshFn1VM1XPT9LuUIBwKtI_imbNApvxiKTBoWB-h2a5ZI0-kmxEVfwPhuR-HTVi0F50sh30q0yPAd/s1600/BYR.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://makezine.com/article/technology/arduino/step-into-light-and-sound-in-interactive-synesthesia-experience/">Step into Light and Sound in Interactive Synesthesia Experience - Make: (makezine.com)</a></div>
<br />ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-19221886700357078662015-01-10T16:33:00.000-06:002015-01-12T22:27:21.312-06:00Gadgeteer vs Arduino vs Phidgets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://hackaday.com/">Hackaday.com</a> recently ran an <a href="http://hackaday.com/2015/01/04/arduino-vs-phidgets-dev-time-trials/" target="_blank">article</a> called "Arduino vs. Phidgets - Dev Time Trials" which brought to attention a <a href="http://kawalabo.blogspot.jp/2015/01/hardware-protoyping-speed-test-phidgets.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> by Ken (?) called "Hardware Protoyping Speed Test: Phidgets vs Arduino" which I thought was a rather fair set of tests for comparing development speed and costs for three simple projects. My objective is to run these same tests using the <a href="http://www.netmf.com/gadgeteer/" target="_blank">Gadgeteer</a> rapid prototyping system and report my results.
Of course, like any article of this sort there are always going to be some lively comments from the readers regarding the validity and bias of tests. I fully expect that this article will generate plenty of its own. <br />
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Like [I suspect] Ken, I am not being paid to write this article and have not gone to every length to make everything as objective and scientific as possible simply because I am not interested in spending more than a few nights with these tests and producing the video. However, I do feel that my tests are in line with the tests that Ken performed. Ken introduced us to Phidgets as an alternative rapid prototyping system for hardware. His tests showed that Phidgets is indeed a faster development system than Arduino. However, as he and the readers of the article pointed out there are several negatives to going this direction including:
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<li>Cost - the Phidgets projects were considerably more expensive than the Arduino projects.</li>
<li>PC Tether - Phidgets must be connected to a PC at all times.</li>
<li>Proprietary</li>
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What is Gadgeteer and why use it?</h2>
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My favorite hardware system for rapid prototyping is <a href="http://www.netmf.com/gadgeteer/" target="_blank">Gadgeteer</a>. Much like Phidgets, it uses modular components combined with software to provide a system which makes it possible to prototype extremely quickly. In these tests I will demonstrate this. I am also a big fan of Arduino and regularly use it in projects. However, for rapid prototyping I haven't found anything better than Gadgeteer. I have never used Phidgets myself. Any statements about the platform come from Ken's article.<br />
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Gadgeteer also addresses the concerns numerated above with Phidgets. You will see that the project costs when using Gadgeteer was only nominally higher than that of Arduino. Considering the productivity gains, I believe it to be worth the investment.
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Gadgeteer is microcontroller based. So, a PC is only needed for programming and debugging. Once that's done, you can untether it and power it from any DC source as you can with Arduino.
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Gadgeteer is open source and is based on the open source <a href="http://netmf.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Community%20Development" target="_blank">.NET Micro Framework</a> (NETMF) project. Most of the modules and some of the mainboards are also open hardware & software. Vendors can extend the core framework and add their own proprietary software to mainboard firmware. However, no proprietary functions were used in my tests.<br />
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The Tests!</h2>
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For more information about the tests, I encourage you to read Ken's article. I'm going to focus this post on just showing my results and detailing concerns I uncovered when necessary.
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TEST #1 : Blink an LED (aka "Hello World!") </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYUu-MpP8tNoxfI3OhuC3b1anc-CplAqYdN6cMfBqXgNWA05HTtWJxWscSoF_xk31Y_IcVp3MjSDLw3lYq9CpXaKyMH01ghI5mWVb6sEWdqyT_h0mYYWnhe3b9Jkg-wYZPirqExqqdsHu/s1600/AvsP_HelloWorldResults_combined.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYUu-MpP8tNoxfI3OhuC3b1anc-CplAqYdN6cMfBqXgNWA05HTtWJxWscSoF_xk31Y_IcVp3MjSDLw3lYq9CpXaKyMH01ghI5mWVb6sEWdqyT_h0mYYWnhe3b9Jkg-wYZPirqExqqdsHu/s1600/AvsP_HelloWorldResults_combined.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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For this test, I used the following components.</div>
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<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/349" target="_blank">GHI FEZ Cerberus Mainboard</a> ($24.95)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/330" target="_blank">GHI USB Client SP Module</a> for power ($4.95)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/318" target="_blank">GHI LED7R Module</a> ($2.95)</li>
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The results...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARLeEKhCUG3uXj8jH8t0q7IH6FWsUl8b-QeZJux8jMQqqRW383xb0tMJgnbHITH_IXH98qp0xLDODjr0JHM-FG8eL4iwKMJa5HopCbr45k6PNSjqLDJQAcrmworrY00-HSzs2zvl50d6m/s1600/Test1-ResultsSummaryTable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARLeEKhCUG3uXj8jH8t0q7IH6FWsUl8b-QeZJux8jMQqqRW383xb0tMJgnbHITH_IXH98qp0xLDODjr0JHM-FG8eL4iwKMJa5HopCbr45k6PNSjqLDJQAcrmworrY00-HSzs2zvl50d6m/s1600/Test1-ResultsSummaryTable.JPG" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some people may complain here that I didn't manually wire up an LED & resistor as Ken did in his tests. I say that defeats the purpose of rapid prototyping. One of the main advantages of Gadgeteer is that I don't need to know how to wire up circuits in order to quickly make something that works.</div>
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<b>TEST #2 :</b> Move a Servo </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpMiC7VEsoF3e5xJXqwQvDEtu-gZvg3gvSmMHhRVFd_rz1JzafelkQvBS6B2Jduj7g2HvMO2db6jjaSZQjIL5iIgTyZ75tJOKvPZLQF3GPSptz5z11S6cpbO3UfclPYezu8lGnlXlFK5S/s1600/AvsP_MoveAServoResults_combined.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpMiC7VEsoF3e5xJXqwQvDEtu-gZvg3gvSmMHhRVFd_rz1JzafelkQvBS6B2Jduj7g2HvMO2db6jjaSZQjIL5iIgTyZ75tJOKvPZLQF3GPSptz5z11S6cpbO3UfclPYezu8lGnlXlFK5S/s1600/AvsP_MoveAServoResults_combined.JPG" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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For this test, I used the following components.</div>
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<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/349" target="_blank">GHI FEZ Cerberus Mainboard</a> ($24.95)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/330" target="_blank">GHI USB Client SP Module</a> for power ($4.95)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=9897" target="_blank">Ingenuity Micro ServoTidy Module</a> ($5.95)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/275" target="_blank">GHI Potentiometer Module</a> ($8.95)</li>
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One thing I felt was an error in Ken's tests were that he didn't use the same servo in both tests but instead used a slightly more expensive Phidgets branded servo for the test of the Phidgets board. Since the brand of servo really shouldn't matter, I thought it would be a more fair comparison to exclude the cost of the servo from the prices and assume that the same servo was used in every test since they all basically function the same way.<br />
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The results...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LFpJ0ZV_azTTdjdeEycDc0KJCILDm5sPCM5zHpjVmkXK26EqZ-HdKAS0roPDHJpsVNKRbDTT7xiLQBsvFQoK4R78SWAe8Z5Rm85ZpE_qrKpv0cMLBHlL9osjAOH4OQnNFEA-LG2mQ0k8/s1600/Test2-ResultsSummaryTable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LFpJ0ZV_azTTdjdeEycDc0KJCILDm5sPCM5zHpjVmkXK26EqZ-HdKAS0roPDHJpsVNKRbDTT7xiLQBsvFQoK4R78SWAe8Z5Rm85ZpE_qrKpv0cMLBHlL9osjAOH4OQnNFEA-LG2mQ0k8/s1600/Test2-ResultsSummaryTable.JPG" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of the readers of Ken's article complained that he use "libraries" in his tests and I anticipate some will complain that I did the same. To that I'll respond "you betcha!". Built-in module drivers that have been written and tested specifically for a known module circuit that are easy to wire in via drag & drop programming is another big reason that rapid prototyping with Gadgeteer is so much faster. Even if you have the libraries available to you in Aduino, you are going to have to locate them and figure out how to include them in your project which takes time that you do not have to spend with Gadgeteer.
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<b>TEST #3 : Pedometer</b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp21DJwJDXqx20hWmNTUSoO5Bti7eUJWV1GTSw1VbwFTsZC1kUvvjtcFoqPDEZt8eQrqP8WLrjapMxXHQeLsPbnViQdJx_ca_pYrVMEel5wMSB3G8FUb1GEJ_fNVW5F1Na2p2VbRMDCVN/s1600/AvsP_PedometerResults_combined.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp21DJwJDXqx20hWmNTUSoO5Bti7eUJWV1GTSw1VbwFTsZC1kUvvjtcFoqPDEZt8eQrqP8WLrjapMxXHQeLsPbnViQdJx_ca_pYrVMEel5wMSB3G8FUb1GEJ_fNVW5F1Na2p2VbRMDCVN/s1600/AvsP_PedometerResults_combined.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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For this test, I used the following components.</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/349" target="_blank">GHI FEZ Cerberus Mainboard</a> ($24.95)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/330" target="_blank">GHI USB Client SP Module</a> for power ($4.95)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/438" target="_blank">GHI LED Strip Module</a> ($2.95)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/442" target="_blank">GHI Accel G248 Module</a> ($5.95)</li>
</ul>
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The results...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoQk0qRLTaZolDiE3LqaFb5RTpBuj7wzs0VP7uKvaplzQguvypmlCKM1ZblUKSnamDdME8qQEsSjoqfQFDsl-Y4QVNQ8bH_5k4PzaCfzwq3BEdN4Wu-vJC9At4JjzbfwDPreYY74zIGVQ/s1600/Test3-ResultsSummaryTable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoQk0qRLTaZolDiE3LqaFb5RTpBuj7wzs0VP7uKvaplzQguvypmlCKM1ZblUKSnamDdME8qQEsSjoqfQFDsl-Y4QVNQ8bH_5k4PzaCfzwq3BEdN4Wu-vJC9At4JjzbfwDPreYY74zIGVQ/s1600/Test3-ResultsSummaryTable.JPG" height="165" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here we can see that as the complexity of a project increases, the development time saved by Gadgeteer really pays off. It's also important to note that the cost of the Gadgeteer solution is only slightly higher than that of the Arduino solution and almost four times cheaper than the Phidgets solution.</div>
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OVERVIEW</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9d7vjEZgzD9YKJGvnpEFR7ILPeGZLZt2nDV7Hm3sYX1yzJvrEnws-cqh_P-aKBxovJrzBW0n58CS1HNMs0_TetpAINrqrFA777DHBAyaWMujNfaB3Sgffq7lpUptd7_74ViONPhCBsIk/s1600/TestsOverviewChart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9d7vjEZgzD9YKJGvnpEFR7ILPeGZLZt2nDV7Hm3sYX1yzJvrEnws-cqh_P-aKBxovJrzBW0n58CS1HNMs0_TetpAINrqrFA777DHBAyaWMujNfaB3Sgffq7lpUptd7_74ViONPhCBsIk/s1600/TestsOverviewChart.png" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here I've plotted a summary of the results from the three tests. The Y axis shows development time and the bubble size shows cost. It is evident from this comparison that Gadgeteer makes a very good choice when choosing a rapid prototyping system.</div>
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Some readers of Ken's article commented that Phidgets was faster but due to the cost it wouldn't be useful for creating final projects. As you can see in the cost comparisons of the Gadgeteer & Arduino solutions, Gadgeteer solutions can make very good options for many final projects. In fact, I have consulted with a company in the past that is doing this very thing in a commercial product. Certainly, if a company's volume gets high enough then it makes sense to convert to a custom PCB solution. But if you are a start-up with more ideas than engineers then a Gadgeteer based solution is a very viable option.</div>
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Although at times it may sound like I'm getting paid to write this article, that is not the case. I am just a really big fan of the Gadgeteer prototyping system and I'm excited to show you why. There's much more power including rich debugging, inline help, and the full power of Visual Studio that these tests do not even begin to demonstrate. </div>
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For more information, I encourage you to follow <a href="http://ianlee.info/" target="_blank">my blog</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdSxkAyi_Rqou0SQ8PED-ggjWLe6U72DE" target="_blank">Gadgeteerin' YouTube channel</a> for more information. For up to the minute news about Gadgeteer, follow me on Twitter as <a href="https://twitter.com/gadgeteerin" target="_blank">@Gadgeteerin</a>.</div>
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You can find all source code used in the video <a href="https://github.com/ianlee74/GadgeteerDevSpeedTests" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hackaday.com/2015/01/12/arduino-vs-phidgets-vs-gadgeteer/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://hackaday.com/2015/01/12/arduino-vs-phidgets-vs-gadgeteer/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIkmzcwgABo5hoYDxLDC4R5_eEH53R3DW8iGxBBHnxVwqJg7frTPFRj6fjwi8LS7CARqYypNf8ZMLjHsu1ktvIt8SQ4sd_cQfxkF2_M13Ap2dcQ4n0x6He47aJDMTx1IufFJdviI5HFfg/s1600/HaD_logo.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This post made <a href="http://hackaday.com/2015/01/12/arduino-vs-phidgets-vs-gadgeteer/" target="_blank">Hackaday</a>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com7Spring Hill, TN, USA35.751179 -86.93000230000001235.6480755 -87.091363800000011 35.854282500000004 -86.768640800000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-26332881144301797492014-07-30T17:54:00.000-05:002014-07-30T17:54:12.613-05:00MAKE: Nashville Mini Maker Faire is Looking for Makers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezine.com/2014/07/30/nashville-mini-maker-faire-is-looking-for-makers/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_1061934442"></span><span id="goog_1061934445"></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLTFA3pMIIzVRb5iSGbfsl2_zh6R1ZmmSy2nKvl207xQfKOI-ruAPvmj0FzmTReyvhiJM2JdZdNzoQFdY7JnT4ZufBMTZW13yJ65Tu69pfJls3NjEy_PBTlTeBjFX5j5STWkyQWJ0_KG1/s1600/2014-07-30_frontPage.PNG" height="378" width="400" /><span id="goog_1061934446"></span><span id="goog_1061934443"></span></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezine.com/2014/07/30/nashville-mini-maker-faire-is-looking-for-makers/">http://makezine.com/2014/07/30/nashville-mini-maker-faire-is-looking-for-makers/</a></div>
ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-40227881949917592402013-09-20T09:32:00.000-05:002013-09-20T09:34:03.784-05:00MAKE: Arduino + Modules = FEZ Medusa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nsvjBPfkQVNfUh0L7eiCbPBEkEfoxlttDOVu22520vJ97pWtAIrUbFnfjdbHxcndILnP0lIk9I7YN9y3bqdDSND9NuOI5yDuL3m4cXn8mzhyKXyDdMn4bNP11Ue1zdwmmltqRP9ayeR6/s1600/Arduino-Modules--FezMedusa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nsvjBPfkQVNfUh0L7eiCbPBEkEfoxlttDOVu22520vJ97pWtAIrUbFnfjdbHxcndILnP0lIk9I7YN9y3bqdDSND9NuOI5yDuL3m4cXn8mzhyKXyDdMn4bNP11Ue1zdwmmltqRP9ayeR6/s400/Arduino-Modules--FezMedusa.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezine.com/magazine/arduino-modules-fez-medusa/">http://makezine.com/magazine/arduino-modules-fez-medusa/</a></div>
ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-48876978169283664952013-09-13T08:56:00.003-05:002013-09-13T08:56:51.279-05:00MAKE: Project - Making a Sonic Screwdriver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpb1BT3RbNvfpP9qSYZ7FEbTxguC2jzBVbD-ZOIMlLD0g1x-e7GS2LzSqKamgDUlGxcJXCYIu9df0Tp20FbbEcL7mabvHM_pblEGPewwgy1KCzQdt38JTLurGB1uJjgBPPhh27B6RI4fN/s1600/Project+-+Making+a+Sonic+Screwdriver+-+Project.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpb1BT3RbNvfpP9qSYZ7FEbTxguC2jzBVbD-ZOIMlLD0g1x-e7GS2LzSqKamgDUlGxcJXCYIu9df0Tp20FbbEcL7mabvHM_pblEGPewwgy1KCzQdt38JTLurGB1uJjgBPPhh27B6RI4fN/s400/Project+-+Making+a+Sonic+Screwdriver+-+Project.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezine.com/projects/making-a-sonic-screwdriver/">http://makezine.com/projects/making-a-sonic-screwdriver/</a></div>
<br />ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-8118597919069497442013-08-26T21:40:00.000-05:002013-08-28T22:23:26.710-05:00DevLink 2013: Gadgeteer Lab 101<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="goog_1711306423"></span><span id="goog_1711306427"></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGTEp9Ds6ZHd_HLp7_HLh6GU_THg2gSKKMBKPTrcBH2LHny_gEdEeXcdtu7A4FyJeehF9DE56PAeJs8flhkqbmf-SEYlBJ3kVM-XUBTg5YmO-3tJQM3rGYpzzOm3Vq9psBu_j2YhGbDmp/s1600/DevLinkLogo.PNG" /><span id="goog_1711306428"></span><span id="goog_1711306424"></span></div>
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There are some things you need to install before participating in this lab. Before participating, please install the following onto your Windows laptop.</div>
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Please install in this exact order or you may have problems.<br />
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<ol>
<li>Visual Studio 2012 - any flavor will do, even the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng/products/visual-studio-express-for-windows-desktop" target="_blank">desktop Express edition</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://netmf.codeplex.com/downloads/get/500745" target="_blank">.NET Micro Framework v4.3 (RTM)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/download/sdk/2/netmf-and-gadgeteer-package-2013-r1-update-1" target="_blank">GHI Electronics Gadgeteer SDK</a></li>
<li>Reboot.</li>
</ol>
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<div>
Also, your computer should have the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22" target="_blank">.NET Framework v3.5 SP1</a> installed if you do not already have it.</div>
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<h4>
Want to get your own Gadgeteer kit? </h4>
<div>
<i>10% off </i>at <a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/265" target="_blank">GHIElectronics.com</a>: <b>CC7AA7945D</b><br />
Expires 9/30/2013</div>
ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-30066394707361688622013-08-22T22:09:00.001-05:002013-08-22T22:09:54.532-05:00MAKE: LeanKit TARDIS is a Timey-Wimey Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezine.com/2013/08/20/leankit-tardis/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24%7Bfeed%7D&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24%7Bmakezineonline%7D+(%24%7BMAKE%7D)&utm_content=%24%7BGoogleReader%7D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLHT_0upQdTR13UBIl3rZCx5BdWeK0aFfzfgSHs3geMS4a0DTHUg-KWn3lun5qPO_BN_jNrxv2rx6rLmlFLmG8jv25PWJWBTiUE-cx4uCVSBksefERKKv0ExGyVo8uD0nhk57iGxywwFH/s400/TARDIS+post+headline.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://makezine.com/2013/08/20/leankit-tardis/">http://makezine.com/2013/08/20/leankit-tardis/</a></div>
ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-40444255571739123432013-08-22T22:02:00.003-05:002013-08-22T22:04:50.402-05:00MAKE: Creative Marketing Helps NashMicro buy Training Kits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezine.com/magazine/creative-marketing-helps-nashmicro-buy-training-kits/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOithEVSr1_hiKnDTni4wzdofNNSYxs1Regqr5SVLeSF25_Eq5uWC1cBpZ4QpTdLWUucAIS0NLWzjuiHVAv3VFvsySzr8VmylmuZ34KRKhdUhr4Y3rKLIVY4M4kiiK7rKppHt981iA5w0C/s400/Creative-Marketing-Helps-NashMicro-buy-Training-Kits.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezine.com/magazine/creative-marketing-helps-nashmicro-buy-training-kits/">http://makezine.com/magazine/creative-marketing-helps-nashmicro-buy-training-kits/</a></div>
<br />ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-31873261417465893682013-08-22T21:57:00.000-05:002013-08-22T22:03:02.595-05:00I'm now Blogging for MAKE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xlFG1kcIkHRVUtCVJdhT1g9Q497Ma5kjfcn9-gwBq5Ts28KTb1whKY6ZwVVvYRGgNTiTT_Y9eS4Q91NfpiFdtxxTtMsg_lB7-1tWAbRivN3esBymBG1NaHEOeVx4YSpAbya6Akr_cfhG/s1600/MAKE+title.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xlFG1kcIkHRVUtCVJdhT1g9Q497Ma5kjfcn9-gwBq5Ts28KTb1whKY6ZwVVvYRGgNTiTT_Y9eS4Q91NfpiFdtxxTtMsg_lB7-1tWAbRivN3esBymBG1NaHEOeVx4YSpAbya6Akr_cfhG/s400/MAKE+title.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
This month<a href="http://makezine.com/2013/08/09/welcome-8-new-contributors-the-crowdfund-fund-x-3-and-taking-things-apart/" target="_blank"> I officially became a contributing blogger</a> for <a href="http://makezine.com/" target="_blank">MAKE</a>! I'm very excited about this and the opportunity to reach a much larger audience. Hopefully, this means that I'll be writing a lot more in the future than I have on this blog. <br />
<br />
If you've ever written a blog post that has been popular and <a href="http://hackaday.com/2012/11/12/birthday-badges-teach-kids-how-to-solder/" target="_blank">made Hack-a-Day</a> or reached wide popularity through some other avenue, then you know the rush that comes from knowing your work is being viewed (and hopefully appreciated) by thousands of people. Now I have the opportunity to reach this size of audience with every post!<br />
<br />
So, what does this mean for "Software & Sawdust"? The site will still be available but most of my posts going forward will probably be posted to <a href="http://makezine.com/">Makezine.com</a>. For my own record and as a way for those of you that follow my blog, I'll also post a reference on this site. <br />
<br />
There have been several projects (many of my best) that I've never bothered documenting here. I regret that but the desire to start the next project is usually more powerful than the desire to spend a couple more nights documenting what has already been finished. I believe that having a wider audience through MAKE will end that practice and I'll document everything going forward. I've already posted two articles this month on MAKE! My goal will be to try and get out a new post every week if I can find the material. With the <a href="http://www.makerfairenashville.com/" target="_blank">Nashville Mini Maker Faire</a> coming up, I expect to have no shortage of material for quite a while. I'll immediately follow up this post with separate posts linking to the other articles.<br />
<br />
Definitely do not stop following this blog! There are many things that I do that I'll want to document that simply don't fit the goals of MAKE that I'll still continue to post here. So, stay tuned and go make something!<br />
<br />
Ianianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-37407496772504421552013-08-17T12:06:00.002-05:002013-08-17T23:45:33.465-05:00CoderFaire 2013<div>
Today, me & Joe are at <a href="http://nashville.coderfaire.com/">Nashville CoderFaire 2013</a> giving a presentation called <a href="http://nashville.coderfaire.com/talks-2/#ian-lee">Gadgeteerin': Bringing Code to Life</a>. This is a placeholder for the good stuff.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ULEA6Ly-9HHwADibb-sAOWouVguqXzKacvs9H68I-mBG5sSrFzkAObW2g0Jv-I7_sIn0OJsKmGJTLBsGKuzsFHCNzVYsBkB0hqdvAwvmG8NvyWul3x1h24931-z7AI9iaWk5f734A-_l/s1600/WP_20130806_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ULEA6Ly-9HHwADibb-sAOWouVguqXzKacvs9H68I-mBG5sSrFzkAObW2g0Jv-I7_sIn0OJsKmGJTLBsGKuzsFHCNzVYsBkB0hqdvAwvmG8NvyWul3x1h24931-z7AI9iaWk5f734A-_l/s320/WP_20130806_004.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Slides</b>: <a href="http://bit.ly/1cMuApB">http://bit.ly/1cMuApB</a></div>
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<b>Code</b>: <a href="https://github.com/ianlee74/GadgeteerToLife">https://github.com/ianlee74/GadgeteerToLife</a></div>
<div>
<br />
<b>10% off Gadgeteer Coupon Code:</b> <strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">CC7AA7945D</strong><br />
<a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/265">https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/265</a><br />
<br /></div>
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<b>Bits to install </b>for Gadgeteer if you want to play on hack day:<br />
<a href="https://www.ghielectronics.com/support/.net-gadgeteer">https://www.ghielectronics.com/support/.net-gadgeteer</a><br />
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<b>If you take any pictures or videos</b>, please send them to me. If you use Twitter, remember to include #cfn13. Thanks! </div>
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Thanks for attending!<br />
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ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-85761748297028935422013-06-02T18:24:00.001-05:002013-08-05T00:50:45.085-05:00SMD Manual Part Picker v1.1<p>In my <a href="http://blog.ianlee.info/2013/01/smd-manual-part-picker.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> a few months back, I built my <a href="http://blog.ianlee.info/2013/01/smd-manual-part-picker.html" target="_blank">SMD manual parts picker</a> using a fish tank air pump and a custom wood handle. There was <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gjXh15Uw5f8/UQY4z2XIBVI/AAAAAAAABCI/nXFpQQC9ids/s1600-h/WP_20130127_019%25255B8%25255D.jpg" target="_blank">one big oversight</a> in that build that basically made the picker useless for most of the things I built it for. I failed to check before the build if the ball inflator needle I planned to use was actually small enough to pick up 0603 parts. Well, it wasn’t… So, that tool has mostly been collecting dust since the build. I’ve got a lot of 0603 parts to place in the next few weeks and it was time to get this baby working!</p> <p>Since blunt needles are <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/25-Gauge-1-2-Long-Blunt-S-S-Needle-34-625-/380574126856?" target="_blank">cheaply available</a> and come in <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1&_nkw=blunt+needle&_sacat=0&_from=R40" target="_blank">many different sizes</a>, I decided this would be the ideal replacement for the ball inflator needle. One really nice thing about the needle/syringe system is that the needles are made to be able to attach/detach so that different size needles can work with different syringes. Having the ability to easily replace needles if they get bent/broken and easily exchange different sizes will be a nice upgrade. The challenge was how to get the needle receiver onto my picker handle…</p> <p></p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D4hJ_7kBt2Y/Uf86gS39EWI/AAAAAAAABfU/PxHdHgrpAj8/s1600-h/WP_20130601_003%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130601_003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130601_003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZBMihKyGZyY/UavUDPhrcwI/AAAAAAAABfc/yvPJ53K7dtA/WP_20130601_003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="363"></a> <p></p> <p>I decided the easiest way to achieve this would be to cut the receiver off of a syringe and attach it to my wooden handle. I started by cutting the receiver off the syringe with a box cutter.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B8iAcSd5_zA/UavUDQpgQDI/AAAAAAAABfk/5AwpvFYChHQ/s1600-h/WP_20130601_004%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130601_004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130601_004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F8wrnZDxAlw/UavUD7P-IaI/AAAAAAAABfs/zSyTVHLHE30/WP_20130601_004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="367"></a></p> <p>Then I did some cleanup of the cut end of the receiver using the box cutter and some fine sandpaper until the diameter was consistent along the full length of the receiver.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pC6WyNNIMP0/UavUEc788zI/AAAAAAAABf0/fXSb9275LWM/s1600-h/WP_20130601_005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130601_005" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130601_005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nMh9QlgggVc/UavUEqn4qcI/AAAAAAAABf8/tv0iPtj56TQ/WP_20130601_005_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="338"></a> </p> <p>Next, I determined the size drill to use (11/32”) and did a test fit on some scrap wood. It was slightly tighter than I wanted but not small enough to go to the next size drill bit. So, I took note to do a little extra widening when I did the real drilling into my handle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zfp8_LW6E24/UavUFIF9VcI/AAAAAAAABgE/xjQFugLN_yo/s1600-h/WP_20130601_011%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130601_011" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130601_011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SFW2yJmUF6k/UavUFdhbANI/AAAAAAAABgM/yKXuaCgD8DE/WP_20130601_011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="338"></a></p> <p>Now it was time to drill the handle. Since I already had a fairly large hole drilled in the handle and I just need to remove a little extra material. I decided I would hold the handle and push it up to the drill bit mounted in my drill press. I wouldn’t normally recommend this technique for safety reasons but since this was a piece that was already finished and I didn’t have an easily available way to clamp it without marring it. </p> <p>I centered the drill bit to the hole in the drill press base and then raised the base a bit and held the handle from below. This gave me a good visual guide to ensure that I was holding the handle plumb to the bit. Then I slowly drilled the wood about 1/2” and overdrilled the sides a bit to help ensure the receiver would fit with little pressure and hopefully not split the handle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wdf3__zD2kk/UavUF661F7I/AAAAAAAABgU/Fe1y66DZXd0/s1600-h/WP_20130601_007%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130601_007" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130601_007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zoYtu7v1h-s/UavUGOwYuDI/AAAAAAAABgc/j-sMHNuKpNw/WP_20130601_007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="338"></a> </p> <p>After cleaning the splinters and dust out of the inside of the handle using a small dowel wrapped in fine sandpaper, it was time for a test fit. It didn’t require a lot of force to push in but, unfortunately, I did get one small crack. :(</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ILct3ZVs7KQ/UavUGso7sJI/AAAAAAAABgk/1a8G-PnNExQ/s1600-h/WP_20130601_013%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130601_013" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130601_013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z8bdT41s6GY/UavUG-vFbHI/AAAAAAAABgs/eNbgCyWXpcI/WP_20130601_013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="338"></a> </p> <p>All that was left was to add some Gorilla (“super”) glue around the side of the receiver and press it in for good. I added an extra bead of glue to the crack to help prevent it from growing further and to seal it so the vacuum would not be lost.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_c4jVAgbD0k/UavUHUmZlqI/AAAAAAAABg0/2ueLYro3hKc/s1600-h/WP_20130601_014%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130601_014" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130601_014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Rs8nuNAKCcg/UavUH1zaQbI/AAAAAAAABg8/2c4a3XXUX8M/WP_20130601_014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="338"></a></p> <p>I let it dry over night then hit it wish some fine sandpaper the next morning. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IPzhzn0AQ2E/UavUILD7FhI/AAAAAAAABhA/MwmFD300D9A/s1600-h/WP_20130601_015%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130601_015" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130601_015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-twvXVkDwYio/UavUIhG_adI/AAAAAAAABhM/5XOVo_WT03U/WP_20130601_015_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="338"></a></p> <p>Time to try it out! Here’s trying out attaching different size tips.</p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:626e3ce8-6d8e-42fb-9d46-8ce3343231a3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; width: 600px"><div id="2b27a400-e90f-4e8a-bd2e-b98f2243cdbf" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lbf5fLYsec&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VteA4sMUVLc/UavUIz10iTI/AAAAAAAABic/Nm2h1INnM3M/videob1b267cc593d%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('2b27a400-e90f-4e8a-bd2e-b98f2243cdbf'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"596\" height=\"498\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/8lbf5fLYsec&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/8lbf5fLYsec&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"596\" height=\"498\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <p>Here’s trying out the larger tip to pick up 0603 resistors.</p> <p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:1b96dbf3-465f-4e66-832f-115d07dfa5dd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; width: 595px"><div id="a172ffe1-b561-4e90-8886-67f68ecf948e" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNXoXgwCVrg&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YSdeCAxr0Xw/UavUJM8Rs5I/AAAAAAAABik/KHQTck0QbHc/video5a5463712d72%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a172ffe1-b561-4e90-8886-67f68ecf948e'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"595\" height=\"497\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/TNXoXgwCVrg&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/TNXoXgwCVrg&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"595\" height=\"497\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div>Here’s using the smaller needle to pick up 0603 resistors.</p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7b4951bb-28a9-48fe-9c8c-041e3bd8f92d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; width: 600px"><div id="c049756d-41f4-4096-b0af-7ad47073e4e4" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x960puiJ-1E&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eYb3cGytLc4/UavUJsQWHlI/AAAAAAAABis/fNkcQDGSNFo/video462b087233be%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('c049756d-41f4-4096-b0af-7ad47073e4e4'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"600\" height=\"500\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/x960puiJ-1E&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/x960puiJ-1E&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"600\" height=\"500\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>I made one other small enhancement. I added a simple <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_246889-1571-410-WCC25_0__?productId=3235990&Ntt=cord+switch&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dcord%2Bswitch&facetInfo=" target="_blank">cord switch</a> to make it possible to turn the vacuum on & off without going behind my desk and unplugging it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U3HVA2Fj2M4/Uavxhyi74wI/AAAAAAAABhs/-B9T4gZzjzk/s1600-h/WP_20130602_009%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130602_009" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130602_009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--9YtWF3bh7M/Uavxif1QKxI/AAAAAAAABh0/ghPZVDS5gKk/WP_20130602_009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="338"></a> </p> <p>Now it’s time to start assembling Tripwire modules. Thanks for reading!</p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-14760363056950030652013-01-28T00:57:00.001-06:002013-01-28T02:45:52.270-06:00SMD Manual Part Picker<p>I’ve been working on designing a PCB using all 0603 SMD parts. Prior to this, the smallest SMD parts I’ve attempted were 0804. I ordered the PCBs and I’ve been trying to alleviate my concerns about not being able to actually work with these tiny parts once they arrive. They are almost too small to deal with using tweezers, so I’ve been shopping around for an inexpensive vacuum part picker. However, I’ve discovered that there are really expensive ones and there are really cheap ones with not much in between. I can’t justify a really expensive one ($1000+) and the cheap ones have terrible reviews. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XCqUbO4m5EM/UQY4ldJVPuI/AAAAAAAAA_I/piwHltOWwqk/s1600-h/WP_20130128_002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130128_002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130128_002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l7bCHp3EctE/UQY4l4nyJpI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/2iXsEFM2Bzc/WP_20130128_002_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a></p> <p>So, I’ve been thinking like any maker would…why not make my own? I started by studying <a href="http://garage-shoppe.com/wordpress/?p=164" target="_blank">this version</a> based on reversing an aquarium air pump to create suction. It has most of what I wanted except that when I went to <a href="http://www.howardelectronics.com/virtual/vacuumcups.html" target="_blank">order the tips</a> I quickly became overwhelmed and it seemed that this would-be cheap project was quickly going to get very expensive. Well, as luck would have it a day after I’d about given up on the project Hack-A-Day featured <a href="http://hackaday.com/2013/01/25/20-vacuum-pen-build-on-of-the-best-weve-seen/" target="_blank">this one</a> that caught my eye because of one very small feature. He used a soccer ball inflator needle for the tip. I thought that would solve my expensive tip dilemma problem perfectly.</p> <p>There was one thing I didn’t like about any of these other builds. They all used various ink pens or syringes for the handle and the assembly seemed overly complicated and frankly not very pretty. I had a better idea that anyone with access to a drill press for a few minutes could build and end up with a really nice end-product. Of course, in perfect Software & Sawdust fashion, it had to be made out of wood!</p> <p>I had most of what was needed in the shop except the aquarium pump & hose. So, off to the pet store I went and picked up a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-77851-Whisper-Pump-10-Gallon/dp/B0009YJ4N6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359354761&sr=8-1&keywords=whisper+10" target="_blank">Tetra Whisper 10</a> and some black <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Silicone-Airline-Aquarium-10-Feet/dp/B0002AQI9A/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1359354859&sr=1-1&keywords=black+silicone+aquarium+hose" target="_blank">silicone hose</a> because it’s much more flexible and less likely to kink than the vinyl hose. You can get all the parts off <a href="http://amazon.com" target="_blank">amazon.com</a> for about $10. The other tutorials had recommended using a pump with two diaphragms but I suspected this was overkill for the parts I was interested in working with and I was correct. So, I spent less than half what the larger pumps would cost and it also occupies less space on my already over cluttered desk. Win, win!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vER8Dg2T8E4/UQY4mUsV1KI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/IFs1IYuK5ZU/s1600-h/image%25255B11%25255D.png"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H8daQENOfew/UQY4m8o8kkI/AAAAAAAAA_g/1fqHnZjzseI/image_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="240" height="170"></a>When I was at the pet store picking out a pump, there were a couple very similar options but I ended up breaking the tie with the Whisper 10 because it had a nicer appearance and I thought it would look a little more interesting sitting on my desk. It actually turned out that this was an excellent choice. Because of the way the diaphragm is designed in the Whisper models, it only took me about five minutes to make <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Vacuum-Pump-from-Aquarium-Air-Pump/" target="_blank">the modification necessary to convert it from an air blower to an air sucker</a>.</p> <p>Now that I had the pump converted it was time to build my “pen”. I started by cutting a length of 1/2” wooden dowel about 4” or so long. I determined the length by holding the dowel in my hand and cut it the length that was minimum but would fit well in my hand. I then used a center finder to mark the center on both ends of the dowel.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mQtzqZaQyMQ/UQY4n7VizfI/AAAAAAAAA_o/hYMI6aEopYo/s1600-h/image%25255B10%25255D.png"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ec0mVLjjt7w/UQY4omodjII/AAAAAAAAA_w/1Tz0xjwY0EE/image_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="240" height="194"></a></p> <p>My plan was to drill a hole all the way though the dowel and attach the inflator needle at one end and an air hose union at the other end. These two parts are different sizes. So, I was going to need to drill different size holes in each end. </p> <p>To simplify the drilling process and make it much easier to drill straight through the dowel without coming out a side, I decided to make a jig to hold the dowel perfectly perpendicular. I did this by chucking up a 1/2” drill bit in to my drill press and placing a block of wood underneath it and drilling into it a couple inches. Now I had a way to hold my dowel securely and perfectly parallel to the drill bit.</p> <p><img title="WP_20130127_001" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j2lqC9lcZeo/UQYhZA27aAI/AAAAAAAAA-c/x7-if24a0EY/WP_20130127_001_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="346"></p> <p>Using the jig to hold the dowel, I then drilled a small starter hole in each end of the dowel using a small 1/8” drill bit. Drill as deep as your bit will go.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1wXzXpwYhSo/UQY4owzDSrI/AAAAAAAAA_4/CualAd40It8/s1600-h/WP_20130127_002%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mVIf6vqq4JQ/UQY4p5wULcI/AAAAAAAABAA/tfeozoU2ZMs/WP_20130127_002_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="347"></a> </p> <p>Next, using a 9/32” drill bit I then drilled a hole in one end for the inflator needle. In order to make sure that I end up with a hole all the way through the dowel when I was finished, I drilled as deep as my bit would go. Then I stopped the drill and pushed the dowel up onto the bit and placed another piece of wood underneath my jig so that I could acquire the full reach of the drill bit. Be sure that you do not go all the way though to the other end of the dowel!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AIsEFv-qgAM/UQY4qTZQnJI/AAAAAAAABAI/qFCVBI82fQo/s1600-h/WP_20130127_005%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_005" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X52Y45V9Si8/UQY4rDgz3nI/AAAAAAAABAQ/k4YphshsUbY/WP_20130127_005_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a></p> <p>Test screwing in the inflator valve!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VVGNjUJvxe0/UQY4ryObZWI/AAAAAAAABAY/19BGpQNJ4Kk/s1600-h/WP_20130127_006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_006" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IR8Rb-eZ1BE/UQY4sDS8CbI/AAAAAAAABAg/U6YXYRl8yzo/WP_20130127_006_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a></p> <p>Next, we’ll flip the dowel over and do the same thing to the other end using a 3/16” bit. </p> <p><strong>Note</strong>, if you are building your own using my instructions you should always test fit your holes by drilling into a piece of scrap wood first and testing that your inflator valve or hose union fits perfectly. Adjust your drill bit size accordingly if it’s not a perfect fit. There is no guarantee that the sizes that worked for me will also be correct for you.</p> <p>After drilling the other side, test fit the hose union. This one needs to be snug as I don’t plan on using any glue to hold it in.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tbvbUDzic7A/UQY4spyx3jI/AAAAAAAABAo/Ca72l7KENt4/s1600-h/WP_20130127_008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_008" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-49Q6I41hAto/UQY4tcYp2fI/AAAAAAAABAw/3DwRXLOEmgI/WP_20130127_008_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a></p> <p></p> <p>Notice the sharp square edges at the ends of the dowel? That’s not very comfortable to hold and doesn’t look very good. Let’s fix that by turning our drill press into a drill lathe! Start by chucking up the dowel into the drill press. Do not tighten much more than hand tight or you will mar or crush the dowel. Just tighten enough that it will not fly off. The only tools we’ll be using to shape our dowel is sandpaper. So, there’s no need to worry about much pressure being applied to the wood.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uz4kjeiM7nc/UQY4t5cl-_I/AAAAAAAABA4/-t68GIy_8qM/s1600-h/WP_20130127_009%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_009" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1jiDXsXKG_Q/UQY4uZl_jJI/AAAAAAAABBA/aZGZunx6Oc0/WP_20130127_009_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a></p> <p>Start up the drill and let’s start shaping the dowel. I started with 80 grit sandpaper to get the general shape I wanted and then used 120 grit and finally 400 grit sandpapers to make it perfectly smooth. Be sure to keep an eye on your wall thickness. You do not want it to get less than about 1/8” thick outside your hole or you won’t have enough wood to attach your other parts to safely.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qEKHL6q5-mw/UQY4uxpbKjI/AAAAAAAABBI/8eiXNdAYZ1o/s1600-h/WP_20130127_010%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_010" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1PsEdwApk_A/UQY4vvy5OjI/AAAAAAAABBQ/rlziYB63YW0/WP_20130127_010_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a> </p> <p>Do one end then unchuck the dowel and flip it over and chuck it back up and do the other side. Make it look however you want. The idea is to make it fit your hand comfortably. This is what I ended up with after about 5-10 minutes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1yqgmlBsrlU/UQY4wDoizoI/AAAAAAAABBY/MIee1--TpOk/s1600-h/WP_20130127_011%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_011" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FXQPa0bEE0s/UQY4xCehdoI/AAAAAAAABBg/th8ck0C2QkM/WP_20130127_011_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a></p> <p>We need to drill one more hole in the side of the handle. This will allow us to turn the vacuum on or off using the pressure of our finger to release the vacuum. Hold the handle in your hand so that the inflator needle end is at the end nearest your finger tips and pretend you are using it to pick up parts. Figure out where the best place for the “button” needs to be to give you the most comfortable use. Drill a 1/16” hole there.</p> <p> <img title="WP_20130127_012" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2yai39lsnng/UQY4xkC5r6I/AAAAAAAABBo/vxxhfIGZ-nA/WP_20130127_012_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"> </p> <p>I then applied some paste wax to the threads of the inflator valve before screwing it into the dowel. This serves two purposes. It will lubricate the threads and allow them to screw into the wood easier and it will also help seal the connection. This isn’t a permanent connection. So, if we need to change to a different tip method later we can probably do so without having to build another handle. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SqHXOSQjBSo/UQY4yLvpc-I/AAAAAAAABBw/Yy09iW8bTY4/s1600-h/WP_20130127_016%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_016" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uBM1_jIHwAo/UQY4ynfWtyI/AAAAAAAABB4/R8RehFRCQlU/WP_20130127_016_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a></p> <p>Screw the needle into the correct end of the handle. You will probably need to use pliers to hold the needle while turning the handle with your hand. If it feels like the hole is slightly too tight, use some 400 grit sandpaper wrapped around a tiny dowel rod to sand the inside of the hole to slowly make it slightly larger.</p> <p>Before we connect the hose barb to the other end, we need to put a finish on the wood. This will make the wood look better but more importantly it will seal the wood and prevent our vacuum from being lost. Most wood is very porous especially when drilled to be this thin. I would normally finish this walnut wood using a coat of Danish Oil and then a coat of paste wax. However, I didn’t feel patient enough to wait 24 hrs for the Danish Oil to dry. So, I just applied a coat of paste wax. The end product doesn’t look nearly as nice as it would with the Danish Oil but this is good enough for me. The wood will naturally darken over time with use as it absorbs the oils from my fingers.</p> <p>Here’s the finished product!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XCqUbO4m5EM/UQY4ldJVPuI/AAAAAAAAA_I/piwHltOWwqk/s1600-h/WP_20130128_002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130128_002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130128_002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l7bCHp3EctE/UQY4l4nyJpI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/2iXsEFM2Bzc/WP_20130128_002_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a></p> <p>Time to test it out! </p> <p></p> <p></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:07bf2211-83f3-4d2d-8e98-99a21676ff99" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; width: 425px"><div id="262fac40-0a60-4425-a7c6-43f578ce8c48" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYtmZGxZztA&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aGF9T8Ss-cw/UQY6vhjZ4vI/AAAAAAAABDA/62rkic3XJ0k/videoc86bad0541ab%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('262fac40-0a60-4425-a7c6-43f578ce8c48'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/EYtmZGxZztA&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/EYtmZGxZztA&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>All was working great with various sizes of small parts which was my main concern and reason for building it. The fact that it doesn’t pick up the larger parts doesn’t bother me at all. I can pick them up with my fingers or tweezers. If I ever change my mind about this then I can always upgrade my pump.</p> <p>However, I did have one big fail. When I pulled out the 0603 parts I intended to use the picker on I quickly realized that the inflator tip was too large and it sucked the part up into the handle. So, I’m going to have to work on the tip. I found a syringe needle (left below) I own for applying glue to very tight places and it looks like it’ll do the job nicely. So, an adapter to allow the smaller needle to fit snuggly within the larger needle may be the solution. (Note the tiny 0603 LED part between the two needles below)<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gjXh15Uw5f8/UQY4z2XIBVI/AAAAAAAABCI/nXFpQQC9ids/s1600-h/WP_20130127_019%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="WP_20130127_019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="WP_20130127_019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O3dZuYe6wWM/UQY40juwMrI/AAAAAAAABCQ/BRgw8WVTTZs/WP_20130127_019_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="330"></a>One other thing I plan to improve upon will be to add an on/off switch to the pump that is easily accessed without having to unplug the pump when not in use. The power strips in my office aren’t easy to access. So, a switch on the pump itself will be a nice addition. I’m going to have to do a little shopping around for one that will be right for the space available inside the pump enclosure, though.</p> <p>This project (minus the documentation) really only took about an hour to complete and could be done for a cost of about $10 by ordering the parts online ahead of time. Overall, I think this is going to be a very handy tool to have at my disposal as I find myself moving more & more into smaller SMD designs.</p> <p>How would you improve this project? Leave your comments below.</p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-54541776328353446222013-01-05T22:13:00.000-06:002013-01-15T11:15:16.824-06:00Princess Wands<p>A few days ago, my daughter who is having her 5th birthday party this weekend comes up with her sweet little eyes and asks “Daddy, what special thing are we doing at my party like we did at [her brother’s].” Of course, she was referring to the <a href="http://blog.ianlee.info/2012/09/birthday-badge.html" target="_blank">Birthday Badges</a> that I designed and they assembled. With less than a week until the party there certainly wasn’t time to design a PCB, have it fabbed and delivered in time without paying outrageously high costs. </p> <p>So, it was time to scramble and see what I could come up with using parts that I had on hand and could get at local stores. Her party has a Cinderella theme. I had a stock of blinking RGB LEDs left over from the <a href="http://blog.ianlee.info/2012/07/2012-red-bull-creation-better-fish-trap.html" target="_blank">Red Bull Fish Detector</a> project that are a lot of fun and require only a resistor and battery to make work. So, that sounded like a good basis for the project. When I think of the Cinderella story, the fairy godmother and her magic come to mind. So, the idea of a magical princess wand was born.</p> <p></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:12058748-03e0-475d-9a66-e45b6ee4b1bf" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; width: 425px; margin-right: auto"><div id="36ff2de2-f5f8-4563-bd1b-051ac40e7e47" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0IKhMHvK1E&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MkljGUqCoyQ/UPWOn5U6yNI/AAAAAAAAA8A/JX1alna5-jA/video4c9498767fbf%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('36ff2de2-f5f8-4563-bd1b-051ac40e7e47'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/s0IKhMHvK1E&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/s0IKhMHvK1E&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <p>To build the wand, you will need a soldering iron, hot glue gun, wire cutters, box cutter or sharp knife, drill (or just good box cutter skilz) and the following components.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--z_5Iczx64w/UOU03K8wcjI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/MOpdjwwk6ys/s1600-h/2013010223.29.35%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-02 23.29.35" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-02 23.29.35" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--SGbeZufdaQ/UOU03ZrfeFI/AAAAAAAAA5U/wxcbiuc7g3s/2013010223.29.35_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="380"></a></p> <p></p> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="639" align="center" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="77"> <p align="center"><strong>QUANTITY</strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="168"> <p align="left"><strong>ITEM</strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="384"> <p align="left"><strong>COST</strong></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="77"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="168"> <p align="left">Blinking RGB LED </p></td> <td valign="top" width="384"> <p align="left">$0.10/each on eBay in qty of 100</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="77"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="168"> <p align="left">56 Ohm 1/4W Resistor </p></td> <td valign="top" width="384"> <p align="left">$0.02/each on eBay in qty of 100</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="77"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="168"> <p align="left">3V Coin Battery</p></td> <td valign="top" width="384"> <p align="left">$0.10/each on eBay. I used CR2032’s because I had them. Smaller ones would be better.</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="77"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="168"> <p align="left">Rubber Band</p></td> <td valign="top" width="384"> <p align="left">Free. Ask your mailman for some…</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="77"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="168"> <p align="left"><a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/20-white-balloon-sticks-336347/" target="_blank">Plastic Balloon Stick</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="384"> <p align="left">$0.20</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="77"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="168"> <p align="left"><a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/20-white-balloon-sticks-336347/" target="_blank">Ping Pong Ball</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="384"> <p align="left">$0.07</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="77"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="168"> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fun-Express-Feather-Assortment-600/dp/B0046EEGF6/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1357194636&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=craft+feathers" target="_blank">Feather</a> or Other Decoration</p></td> <td valign="top" width="384"> <p align="left">$0.01</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <p>With a little planning and sourcing your parts on eBay and Amazon.com, you can build these for less than $1 per wand. That’s a lot of magic for a buck!</p> <p>You can assemble all or part of the wand before the party and have the kids do part of the assembly during the event depending on their age. Because we had several other events planned, I chose to solder the resistors to the LEDs and drill & cut the ping pong balls prior to the event and then I quickly did the assembly of the rest of the parts during the party so they could learn how they worked.</p> <p>Begin by <a href="http://blog.ianlee.info/2013/01/quick-tip-soldering-resistors-to-leds.html" target="_blank">soldering the resistor to the LED</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IvmuhOvyGts/UOj5mPpN9AI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/_k7uAqZHxr0/s1600-h/2013-01-04%25252023.02.45%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-04 23.02.45" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-04 23.02.45" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6fe9Zt3td20/UOj5mwsuXQI/AAAAAAAAA5g/yGw5rkCIez8/2013-01-04%25252023.02.45_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="247"></a></p> <p>Next, use a box cutter or sharp knife to split one end of the plastic balloon stick about 1.5” long. Do not make the cut longer than the diameter of your ping pong ball.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x6jVIlPIkv4/UOU05MIfR0I/AAAAAAAAA5o/uUE_5i50Eco/s1600-h/2013010223.31.55%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-02 23.31.55" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-02 23.31.55" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JudGWIvqVL0/UOU05osk6FI/AAAAAAAAA5s/FlHjBgyfYzY/2013010223.31.55_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="285"></a> </p> <p><font color="#ff0000" size="3"><strong>CAUTION: </strong></font>Never cut towards your fingers! Always cut away from all body parts. I’m not wearing that blue tape band-aid because it’s fashionable. Even Boy Scouts need an occasional reminder… :(</p> <table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="100%" align="center" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="50" halign-?center?><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jin-13Gapow/UOj5pf45pgI/AAAAAAAAA5w/QLbOmIWCMY8/s1600-h/2013-01-05%25252000.34.50.b%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-05 00.34.50.b" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-05 00.34.50.b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6mF6ZYuu4P8/UOj5pwtjYzI/AAAAAAAAA50/ZqyFvp7FuWA/2013-01-05%25252000.34.50.b_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="230"></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="50"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S82hHhI5j7A/UOj5qVAZjmI/AAAAAAAAA58/P-ZhdBp95-I/s1600-h/2013-01-05%25252000.35.44.b%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-05 00.35.44.b" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-05 00.35.44.b" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ohJXmOpCugY/UOj5rG6LWzI/AAAAAAAAA6E/FRFau9fCcnY/2013-01-05%25252000.35.44.b_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="227"></a></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Then determine how your battery and LED need to be connected. This is easiest by experimentation. One wire goes on one side of the battery and the other goes on the other side. If it doesn’t work, reverse them. If you’ve followed my example then the longer side of the LED will go on the positive side of the battery. Then sandwich the battery and LED into the split tube. You should have at least 1/4” of extra tube beyond the battery when it’s all squeezed together. If not, then split your tube some more.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-guQ6gkPQxLQ/UOU058R8LjI/AAAAAAAAA0w/zCHzRf88r7c/s1600-h/2013-01-02%25252023.36.48%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-02 23.36.48" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-02 23.36.48" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a2E1mySGWeQ/UOU06n8Dy_I/AAAAAAAAA04/iBMre0JWVMY/2013-01-02%25252023.36.48_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="340"></a> </p> <p>To hold all of this together, we will use the rubber band. Begin by looping the rubber band around the top of the tube then twist the rubber band 180 degrees and folding it back over the stick and repeating three times. Make sure this is done tightly since this is primarily what’s holding our circuit together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LdUcu8apdSc/UOU067tFBcI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/sib1vetDeiU/s1600-h/2013010223.38.03%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-02 23.38.03" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-02 23.38.03" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wNuDGcMKcko/UOU07i2D_DI/AAAAAAAAA6U/RMPmEavtYHM/2013010223.38.03_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="382"></a></p> <p>Continue the twisting and wrapping on the other side of the battery a few times and then finish by looping the rubber band back up to the top of the stick. If you have any loose wire ends, fold them back onto their side of the battery. IMPORTANT: Do not let any wire contact both sides of the battery at the same time. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/gm-tech-center-explosion-lithium-battery_n_1417918.html" target="_blank">Really bad things can happen.</a></p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-svCMLBgUagg/UOU07-cfcfI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/Y59qwtO2AB4/s1600-h/2013010223.39.52%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-02 23.39.52" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-02 23.39.52" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DempWZHZFB8/UOU08p1kGII/AAAAAAAAA6c/PwkKA_S1TKg/2013010223.39.52_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="382"></a></p> <p>Now drill or cut a hole in one end of your ping pong ball. The hole should be a fairly snug fit with your balloon stick. Also, use the box cutter to cut slits on each side of the hole slightly wider than the width of your battery.</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dEGdEabm-KE/UOU08zf9ZqI/AAAAAAAAA6g/NEgaGgoBv0s/s1600-h/2013010223.41.16%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-02 23.41.16" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-02 23.41.16" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-93XhO7m033g/UOU09aTzliI/AAAAAAAAA6k/uhX9r4Zd064/2013010223.41.16_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="385"></a> </p> <p>Next, push the stick, LED, & battery through the hole and into the ping pong ball. Be careful not to split the ball farther. You may have to pull the stick back out a little bit to help re-shape the ball once it’s inserted. Push the stick all the way into the ball so that the end is firm against the opposite end of the ball and apply a liberal amount of hot glue where the stick and ball meet at the hole. Hold this all together firm and steady while blowing the glue until it is cool and rigid.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KmVvCU8UiUY/UOU0-OjMzwI/AAAAAAAAA6o/bgYx5V2scJY/s1600-h/2013010223.47.56%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-02 23.47.56" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-02 23.47.56" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W25BSjqFeys/UOU0--KODtI/AAAAAAAAA6s/XxplNUy0SJA/2013010223.47.56_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="369"></a> </p> <p>The final step is to cover up our cuts and hot glue with a little bling. I had a feather laying around. So, I added a little hot glue and wrapped the feather around the rod but you can get creative here. Maybe some tinsel, cotton, rat tails…whatever fits the party you’re planning. This is where the kids can participate in customizing their wand.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aVBszZ2Zivg/UOj50B3-nCI/AAAAAAAAA6w/Icu9K4A9BD8/s1600-h/2013-01-02%25252023.56.45.jpg"><img title="2013-01-02 23.56.45" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-02 23.56.45" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K74f73tMXCI/UOj506-QIOI/AAAAAAAAA64/JfjoKvZWzDs/2013-01-02%25252023.56.45_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="358"></a></p> <p>Have fun and be sure to leave some comments to let me know how you improved on my design!</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1WGijZFQM5s/UOj51mAkOHI/AAAAAAAAA7A/tYTOUnZt0Tc/s1600-h/IMG_2434%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2434" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2434" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rq_ihXEMBqY/UOj52hR_8XI/AAAAAAAAA7I/kcmbC3rWqSc/IMG_2434_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="556" height="397"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xXpg0fssLuc/UPWOoMdZUrI/AAAAAAAAA8I/lJauIJyH0Y4/s1600-h/HackADayLogo%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="HackADayLogo" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="HackADayLogo" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nz6ADS6JKiw/UPWOot6hubI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/m74M5j8B9NY/HackADayLogo_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="36" height="36"></a> </p> <p><br>1/15/2013 – W00t! Princess Wands was <a href="http://hackaday.com/2013/01/15/little-sisters-turn-for-hobby-electronic-party-favors/" target="_blank">featured on Hack-a-Day</a>!</p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-91677522614615492802013-01-05T21:25:00.001-06:002013-01-05T21:44:23.368-06:00Quick Tip – Soldering Resistors to LEDs<p>In a project this week, I had a need to solder a resistor directly to an LED. Due to the human limit of only having two arms, this turns out to be a little more difficult than it should be. Normally, I’d use my “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-7521-Helping-Hand-Magnifier/dp/B000NQ4Q4C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357442475&sr=8-2&keywords=extra+hands" target="_blank">extra hands</a>” tool for this type of task but I had a lot of them to make and I needed a more efficient process. Here’s what I came up with…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mwCQVHnl1JE/UOjuZsngI4I/AAAAAAAAA3I/rPYkaN_AG94/s1600-h/2013-01-04%25252023.40.21%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-04 23.40.21" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-04 23.40.21" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LPwQmH1WTug/UOjuaQy7FRI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Anxo8T1B8T0/2013-01-04%25252023.40.21_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" height="296"></a> </p> <p></p> <p>First, cut the short (cathode) lead of the LED so that there is only about 1/4” remaining. Do the same on one end of your resistor.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r1XcqrEr6LA/UOjuat8IwQI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/JtU1NwS00dY/s1600-h/2013-01-04%25252022.53.52%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-04 22.53.52" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-04 22.53.52" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B1x7U8fLSYU/UOjubH2lOBI/AAAAAAAAA3c/3dkSaXZXmgw/2013-01-04%25252022.53.52_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="183"></a></p> <p>Since we still want our resistor to indicate that it’s the cathode side by being the shorter leg, I also snipped a little off the other side of the resistor so that it will be about 1/8” shorter than the anode lead of the LED after the short wires are overlapped.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TX4HurSgVz0/UOjub7UKBEI/AAAAAAAAA3k/ei7XZgc3nFk/s1600-h/2013-01-04%25252022.57.26%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-04 22.57.26" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-04 22.57.26" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aoWvPn4C0dQ/UOjucUZEPbI/AAAAAAAAA3s/A_eTDXzY9Y0/2013-01-04%25252022.57.26_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="198"></a></p> <p>Instead of the “extra hands”, we’re going to use an extra solderless breadboard to hold everything in place. Begin by inserting the long end of the resistor into an empty hole in the breadboard. Push it all the way in until it hits the bottom and then pull it back up about 1/4”. Then insert the resistor into the hole next to the resistor and push it down until it aligns with the top of the resistor and they are overlapping. They should be touching so that we can get a good solder.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KYwi9lfAa4g/UOjufQxWT_I/AAAAAAAAA34/7-BwIeKBHJw/s1600-h/2013-01-04%25252022.59.50%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-04 22.59.50" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-04 22.59.50" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sGiDp8bKWIY/UOjufkIO35I/AAAAAAAAA38/CPLU3ACXkz0/2013-01-04%25252022.59.50_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="257"></a> </p> <p>Solder! Do this as quickly as possible to avoid damaging the components but be sure to use enough heat that you get a good solder joint. I set my iron at about 330 C.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uk1ulyNJdAg/UOjugEccgKI/AAAAAAAAA4A/2mQEcof9dNA/s1600-h/2013-01-04%25252023.12.57%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-04 23.12.57" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-04 23.12.57" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3KeGiYoRGL0/UOjul6dROLI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/God2NEbIVjM/2013-01-04%25252023.12.57_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="294"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D9ZyTAUifkA/UOjumFjimKI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/j6i0jHF0Ehw/s1600-h/2013-01-04%25252023.02.45%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-04 23.02.45" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2013-01-04 23.02.45" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x3fJDjuPL-I/UOjum3fVUuI/AAAAAAAAA4g/wyYLEkPeinc/2013-01-04%25252023.02.45_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="200"></a> </p> <p>After doing a couple, you will have the exact places to cut memorized and should be about to finish one in 30-45 seconds.</p> <p>Got any ideas on how to improve this type of soldering? Did this tip help you with your project? Leave comments and tell me about it!</p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-28221320449480110672012-12-08T00:46:00.001-06:002012-12-08T00:51:45.627-06:00Using a Gadgeteer Camera Module as a Webcam<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t8GMZgnN9Jg/UMLiTsH6O3I/AAAAAAAAAyU/eQZCIp5aktc/s1600-h/CameraModule%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CameraModule" border="0" alt="CameraModule" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HQS3uGVh8QM/UMLiUO7jxfI/AAAAAAAAAyc/QeWjJJODpA0/CameraModule_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="116" height="106"></a>Occasionally, I do something really stupid. Well, maybe more than just occasionally… For example, when the <a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/328" target="_blank">GHI Hydra Gadgeteer mainboard</a> was first released I rushed out and bought one and also picked up a <a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/283" target="_blank">Camera module</a> because I was excited to try out some imaging projects I’d had in mind for a while but didn’t have the horsepower to attempt with previous microcontrollers.</p> <p>Much to my disappointment, once the Camera module arrived I realized that in my haste I had totally forgotten to check what socket type it required. Long story short…you can’t use a Camera module with a Hydra mainboard (or any other boards that I own). </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-brzOs87vX4U/UMLiUz4OnOI/AAAAAAAAAyk/qHT53GmmffQ/s1600-h/2012-12-08%25252000.03.35%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-12-08 00.03.35" border="0" alt="2012-12-08 00.03.35" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HBLrSrYxz4s/UMLiVbg-g6I/AAAAAAAAAys/mA_GNssopD8/2012-12-08%25252000.03.35_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a>So, I’ve had a $35 paperweight just thrown in a cubby hole for the past year or more hoping that one day a new mainboard would come out that would be compatible or another module would be introduced that would add support for it. No such luck.</p> <p>Tonight <a href="http://www.tinyclr.com/forum/topic?id=9903&page=1#msg98306" target="_blank">I learned</a> that this module may not be such a useless piece of junk! Did you know that if you simply connect an <a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/330" target="_blank">SP</a> or <a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/280" target="_blank">DP</a> USB power module directly to the camera module and then connect a USB cable connected to your computer that you can use it as a webcam?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j9kspBumLwc/UMLiWSF-YaI/AAAAAAAAAzE/yugsaexbsiI/s1600-h/2012-12-08%25252000.13.36%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-12-08 00.13.36" border="0" alt="2012-12-08 00.13.36" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1hdmH5CwRM4/UMLiXAAVA3I/AAAAAAAAAzI/qUb2TLYi7Wc/2012-12-08%25252000.13.36_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a>Yes, you can! It really is that simple. Connect the modules together using a Gadgeteer cable, then plug in your USB cable and watch Windows start loading up the drivers. It may take a few minutes for Windows to located and download the drivers but for me I didn’t have to do anything but wait. This test was performed on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.</p> <p>Once the drivers have finished loading, you can pull up your favorite software that supports generic attached webcams and start playing. I’m using the Microsoft Live Movie Maker software for this test. Remember that you can adjust the focus simply by twisting the lens of the Camera module.</p> <p>I find it very cool that this module can perform double duty as a PC webcam and as a Gadgeteer module. I’ve been planning to get a webcam for <a href="http://nashmicro.net" target="_blank">NashMicro</a> to stream our meetings over the internet. Now I’ve got an even cooler option! Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without turning that into an even more pimped out microcontroller project. But, I’ll save that for a later post. Check back soon!</p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-72699616305960062652012-11-10T21:15:00.000-06:002012-11-12T21:16:42.050-06:00Birthday Badges<p>“Never pass up a teachable moment.” As a Boy Scout leader of many years, this has become one of my many mottos. Any time you have the opportunity to grab a child’s attention and focus that attention on something more educational than the latest video game then grab it and have fun. My son’s 6th birthday party recently became one of those moments.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gQZB1vQdKCU/UJ8veZwQ-sI/AAAAAAAAAs8/jpvyyQ_JtDo/s1600-h/2012-11-10%25252022.38.55%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-11-10 22.38.55" border="0" alt="2012-11-10 22.38.55" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0ldn7dmjdJs/UJ8vfMYuqmI/AAAAAAAAAtE/DXs8Z_Irfls/2012-11-10%25252022.38.55_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="309"></a></p> <p>My wife (aka social planner) told me we were having a circus themed party with lots of different game stations (ring toss, face painting, a balloon artist, clown, etc.) and asked what I wanted to do. First thing that came to mind was a soldering session. Sadly, I don’t recall ever going to a kids birthday party that included something educational. So, I was breaking new ground here among our friends.</p> <p>To make things a little more interesting, I decided to not just have them solder a few things and move on but instead I wanted them to build something fun they could take home with them. The idea for a “birthday badge” was born.</p> <p>The idea was to create a badge that would encourage interactions among the kids at the party but would also be fun once they got home. Because I expected 20+ kids at the party, it also needed to be fairly cheap to build.</p> <p>After stirring around a few ideas, I finally decided on a design for a badge that would create interactions by having the badges detect other badges within close proximity. This would give the kids the opportunity to get up close and force some conversation.</p> <p>Each badge has both an infrared (IR) transmitter and an IR receiver. The IR transmitter uses an IR LED that operates as half of an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astable_multivibrator" target="_blank">astable multivibrator circuit</a>. The other half is a red LED. So, it appears that only the red LED is blinking. The IR & red LEDs alternate at about a 2Hz blink rate.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--VBHIZC8gAU/UJ8vfhi6gnI/AAAAAAAAAtM/rdkbC6CAm4w/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G8MIW0piPl0/UJ8vgx-TJPI/AAAAAAAAAtU/vC8rdkOxWSk/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="514" height="291"></a></p> <p>The Eagle CAD files can be downloaded <a href="https://github.com/ianlee74/Birthday-Badge" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>The receiver uses a phototransistor in a Darlington pair configuration with a transistor to detect and illuminated another red LED when IR light is detected. The phototransistor will also detect some ambient light which is why you see the LED dimly illuminated when in a lit room or outside.</p> <p>After finalizing the design, it was time to go to the breadboard.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pPEsMaCf9Lw/UJ8vhQ5yTuI/AAAAAAAAAtc/vCPsykAefC0/s1600-h/2012-11-09%25252021.49.15%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-11-09 21.49.15" border="0" alt="2012-11-09 21.49.15" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4t6DQsMVHFU/UJ8viB8nYJI/AAAAAAAAAtk/vImDiETZoUI/2012-11-09%25252021.49.15_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="522" height="419"></a></p> <p>During breadboarding, I found that my calculated blink rate wasn’t quite what I was getting in reality. I played with different values for R2 & R3 until I finally got the blink rate I wanted (about 4Hz). I then built a second transmitter on a different breadboard just so I could test the power output of the transmitter and the sensitivity of the receiver.</p> <p>I didn’t quite get the range I was hoping for but since I was limited to a single 3V coin cell battery, I decided a range of 6-8” would be sufficient.</p> <p>Now, it was time to design the actual PCB board. I decided that I was going to model the PCB after a clown’s mouth to stick with the circus theme. After several nights of routing & tweaking the design, I finally ended with this…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tkyBNfHeWRo/UJ8virfo3eI/AAAAAAAAAts/DlL6LqpuMfE/s1600-h/BirthdayBadgeBoard%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="BirthdayBadgeBoard" border="0" alt="BirthdayBadgeBoard" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iocUiCqpcEM/UJ8vjLhmR1I/AAAAAAAAAt0/Wu0S_ZBfoVE/BirthdayBadgeBoard_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="501" height="284"></a></p> <p>This was my first PCB to have manufactured. So, I called on some friends for advice on where to have it done. <a href="http://10rem.net/" target="_blank">Pete Brown</a> recommended <a href="http://www.dfrobot.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=135_134" target="_blank">DFRobot.com</a> and I went with them. DFRobot has a really good <a href="http://www.dfrobot.com/community/2012/07/export-gerber-files-from-eagle/" target="_blank">step-by-step guide</a> for producing the files needed from Eagle to provide them with. A couple hours later and the files were uploaded. Time to wait…</p> <p>A few days after I submitted the files, I got an email back with a picture from DFRobot warning me that the silk screen on my “open hardware” logo was striped on some of the boards but they were otherwise perfectly functional. They went ahead and shipped them but told me to let them know if they needed to do anything to make it right.</p> <p>I expected about 20 kids at the party. Unfortunately, you can only order PCBs from DFRobot in quantities of 10, 50, 100, or 200. It really wasn’t much more expensive to order 50 than 20 so I went with that option and decided I would use the extras to teach a soldering class at <a href="http://nashmicro.net" target="_blank">NashMicro</a>. Because of this buffer, I wasn’t at all concerned about the bad silkscreened logos on some.</p> <p>Eleven days later, I had the PCBs in hand! If you order from DFRobot, be sure and choose the DHL option. It’s only a few dollars more than parcel post is much faster than the usual three weeks delivery from China via parcel post.</p> <p>The boards were in perfect condition minus the screen print problem I had already been warned about by DFRobot. Overall, I was very pleased with my experience with DFRobot and I will definitely use them again in the future and highly recommend them to others.</p> <p>Oh, the best part…the PCBs ended up costing me $1.80 each. Unfortunately, I had to pay for the 10cm x 10cm size although they’re actually only 5cm x 10cm because they don’t offer 5cm x 10cm as an option. I also paid a little more for red PCBs and the DHL shipping. If you had more time then I did and didn’t care about the color, you could definitely get the boards made cheaper.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AR7sJpuOvE0/UJ8vkIlF90I/AAAAAAAAAt8/w-y77vltqVA/s1600-h/2012-10-16%25252023.17.58%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-10-16 23.17.58" border="0" alt="2012-10-16 23.17.58" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--q7RZyiERLY/UJ8vks9pivI/AAAAAAAAAuE/8lT3x73H39c/2012-10-16%25252023.17.58_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="473"></a></p> <p>While I was waiting on the boards to arrive, I went shopping for the parts. Since these were basically disposable projects, I didn’t really have to worry about quality. As long as they blinked for a few hours during the party, I would be satisfied. I found as many of the parts in bulk on eBay as possible. Here’s the parts list and sources.</p> <table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"><strong>Part</strong></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center"><strong>Qty</strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right"><strong>Unit Price*</strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right"><strong>Cost</strong></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Linx-Technologies/BAT-HLD-001/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMupuRtfu7GC%252bdEIlVvqTbq%252bJLMEoC1V420%3d" target="_blank">20mm Coin Cell Battery Holder</a></p></td></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.38</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.38</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.dfrobot.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=135_134&product_id=718#.UH4yG8Vqyo0" target="_blank">PCB</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$1.80</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$1.80</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-5MM-RED-LEDS-/271023473427?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1a420313" target="_blank">Red LED</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">2</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.04</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.08</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/370609015173?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">Phototransistor</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.12</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.12</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/100Pcs-Infrared-IR-LED-5mm-940nm-/110965960500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d6162f34" target="_blank">IR LED</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.08</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.08</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140803844882" target="_blank">2N2222 Transistor</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">3</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.28</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.84</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/120375377901?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">1K Ohm 1/4W Resistor</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">2</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.02</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.04</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/170302684993?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">51K Ohm 1/4W Resistor</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">2</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.02</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.02</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/170740891089?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">56 Ohm 1/4W Resistor</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.02</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.02</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/251146798484?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">22 uF Ceramic Capacitor (SMD)</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">2</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.13</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.26</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/320802570635?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">CR2032 3V Coin Battery</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.14</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.14</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"> <p><a href="http://www.delviesplastics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=DPI&Category_Code=Badge_Pins" target="_blank">Plastic Pin Back</a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> <p align="center">1</p></td> <td valign="top" width="71"> <p align="right">$0.28</p></td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right">$0.28</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="341"><strong>TOTAL</strong></td> <td valign="top" width="52"> </td> <td valign="top" width="71"> </td> <td valign="top" width="50"> <p align="right"><strong>$4.08</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Now with all the parts in hand, we were ready to party! Because I knew it would take too long for the kids to assemble all the parts and I didn’t have the patience to teach SMT soldering to 5 year olds, I did all the assembly except the resistors before the party. </p> <p>Me & my oldest son, Ian Jr., had a little soldering party of our own the night before the kiddos arrived. In retrospective, if I were doing this again I probably would make all the parts to be assembled beforehand as SMT and used an oven to reflow rather than hand soldering all those thru-hole parts.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KTa9wWxvIvQ/UJ8vlvQLVUI/AAAAAAAAAuM/kbezCU7w9WU/s1600-h/2012-11-02%25252022.48.18%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-11-02 22.48.18" border="0" alt="2012-11-02 22.48.18" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-763velOpEtk/UJ8vmXhNsZI/AAAAAAAAAuU/xNwaKrUMmiM/2012-11-02%25252022.48.18_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="422"></a></p> <p align="center">(yep, in our pajamas…)</p> <p>Here’s what’s involved in constructing a Birthday Badge. A demonstration of it’s operation is at the end.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 513px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9ef62ecd-872f-45b1-910a-962788035fa8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="bbbb1c7e-e53c-4c38-8786-a717b995be53" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgmH1Qw2IRg&feature=youtu.be&hd=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u4I0vOEgjT8/UKG7IgV1ktI/AAAAAAAAAxo/Q0V4pqp0Hic/videobe98e4a05929%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('bbbb1c7e-e53c-4c38-8786-a717b995be53'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"513\" height=\"288\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/JgmH1Qw2IRg?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/JgmH1Qw2IRg?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"513\" height=\"288\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div><div style="width:513px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">Birthday Badge Assembly</div></div> <p>The day of the party was a huge success. We had 20 or so badges floating around on both kids & a few adults before the day was up. I heard from one of the kids today (a week later) that her badge is still blinking! I haven’t discovered yet how long one will blink but I’m going to start that test. I suspect that it will go for a month or better. I’ll update when I have scientific evidence.</p> <p>We only had one badge that didn’t work properly the first time after assembly. I believe it had a bad red LED but the kid didn’t want to stick around and fix it since the blinky (transmitter) side of the circuit worked fine and mom was ready to leave.</p> <p>It was a great day and I’ve heard from more than one parent that their kid’s favorite activity was building the badge. Mission accomplished. Maybe a few new engineering careers were inspired.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UO4onDzeen4/UJ8voPQ9RTI/AAAAAAAAAuk/Vj1nPLR6OUs/s1600-h/IMG_0655%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0655" border="0" alt="IMG_0655" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8DSVZqoaGDM/UJ8vo0LRDEI/AAAAAAAAAus/8vINM5xFuio/IMG_0655_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="522" height="376"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mHl4rO0Nm9I/UJ8vpUT6eZI/AAAAAAAAAu0/swO0lODqilo/s1600-h/IMG_0629%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0629" border="0" alt="IMG_0629" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H6-g9In2Lzs/UJ8vqRvzDbI/AAAAAAAAAu8/z97syIk4zH4/IMG_0629_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LMxjp_XRJzk/UJ8vq_639kI/AAAAAAAAAvE/jQiwweDaPk4/s1600-h/IMG_0632%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0632" border="0" alt="IMG_0632" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wzL-SC0UW4g/UJ8vsO0AmMI/AAAAAAAAAvM/gsuR5o8b6Zc/IMG_0632_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3uqtlcRFDe8/UJ8vspZ5uhI/AAAAAAAAAvU/XeL9TkfXThA/s1600-h/Ian%252526Hannah%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Ian&Hannah" border="0" alt="Ian&Hannah" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u9E0nUbqdSY/UJ8vtvWNVOI/AAAAAAAAAvc/EZ_sbZU3znw/Ian%252526Hannah_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K4OeNSqZEBA/UJ8vuV2TieI/AAAAAAAAAvk/6p9uNnDB9Bg/s1600-h/521694_4873261277471_1013595214_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="521694_4873261277471_1013595214_n" border="0" alt="521694_4873261277471_1013595214_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ojMZiugAp9E/UJ8vvNvyFMI/AAAAAAAAAvs/_eveJ2MOfEQ/521694_4873261277471_1013595214_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="554"></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 448px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b86afc5c-710e-4991-a6c2-66b3645ed481" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="ca385f87-4ac7-48bc-b92f-85aa40f4a0b8" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgKXDJ-iNc8&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dRITdls1QXg/UJ80lRHP7qI/AAAAAAAAAxs/JFjP_88HP8w/video1d6faab323ed%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('ca385f87-4ac7-48bc-b92f-85aa40f4a0b8'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/WgKXDJ-iNc8?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/WgKXDJ-iNc8?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div><div style="width:448px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">Testing communications between two badges.</div></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 448px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:557d9748-35f7-4915-a306-6d511a9a2fe4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="33dafc4e-8429-4a6b-9dbe-07bec13cd402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DeL6zuQTPk&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-asxzD6mRCg8/UJ80mCBLcNI/AAAAAAAAAxw/yqCL7r1apWk/video8edeeafd8354%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('33dafc4e-8429-4a6b-9dbe-07bec13cd402'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/5DeL6zuQTPk?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/5DeL6zuQTPk?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div><div style="width:448px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">Testing communications using an IR remote</div></div> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oIl3-kuIzlk/UKG7KXAxotI/AAAAAAAAAxY/HEYvceYrf0Q/s1600-h/HackADayLogo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HackADayLogo" border="0" alt="HackADayLogo" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--q4uLY0TnOg/UKG7KoAJgcI/AAAAAAAAAxg/a52MJFbbZeQ/HackADayLogo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="36" height="36"></a>11/21/2012 – W00t! Birthday Badge made <a href="http://hackaday.com/2012/11/12/birthday-badges-teach-kids-how-to-solder/" target="_blank">Hack A Day</a>!</p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-86578509702364638122012-08-21T00:14:00.001-05:002012-08-21T09:05:59.325-05:00Use a MakeWire Module to Create an Ad-Hoc Temperature Sensor Module<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iuVcN0KO_BI/UDMZEGwC87I/AAAAAAAAAn4/cs6ty5ME1J0/s1600-h/2012-08-20%25252022.44.36%25255B1%25255D%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-20 22.44.36" border="0" alt="2012-08-20 22.44.36" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cP9FPM3aQZE/UDMZE5aFEZI/AAAAAAAAAoA/OZZ8QkcAyhg/2012-08-20%25252022.44.36%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="182"></a>I recently <a href="http://www.tinyclr.com/forum/topic?id=8093&page=1" target="_blank">put out a request</a> to a fellow Gadgeteer enthusiast, <a href="http://www.ransomhall.com" target="_blank">Eric Hall</a> (aka ransomhall), to help me out with a simple module that I needed to help make some temporary breadboard modules I have been testing a little more permanent. Eric responded with a very professionally designed module that I anticipate using to make several projects I have in the works look much more polished and take a lot less space on my desk. </p><p>I’ve been experimenting with a DS18B20 temperature sensor that operates through an OneWire protocol. The only other component necessary to make it work is a 4.7K Ohm pull-up resistor. Since I want to connect it to my Gadgeteer boards and there does not yet exist a module that serves this purpose, I had to make my own. So, using a MakeBread module (Eric's version of the Extender module) and the 4.7K Ohm resistor I was up and running in minutes (see above picture). However, as you can see this is not a very convenient way to keep the module for the long run.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j6EdhhjmxEs/UDMZFgZIgfI/AAAAAAAAAoI/tNvPvcbEoUQ/s1600-h/2012-08-20%25252022.08.19%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-20 22.08.19" border="0" alt="2012-08-20 22.08.19" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-15iyp6qduxE/UDMZGCcoO6I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/DdneMVlvkEE/2012-08-20%25252022.08.19%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="419"></a></p><p>Another more permanent option would have been to just solder everything directly to the Extender module. I didn’t want to do this because that would have meant keeping all the solder joints exposed with no good way to protect them. Since this temperature probe will be mobile, I needed a better solution.</p><p>I wanted a module that would serve the same purpose as the Extender module – basically would be a way to connect a few wires to a Gadgeteer socket – but it also had to be slim enough that the solder joints could be protected with shrink wrap.</p><p>I spent a few minutes in Paint and made up a sketch. Hours later, Eric produced an Eagle schematic that could be sent off for PCB production and a few days later the boards were in hand.</p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qrw5bvvEAXc/UDMZGm4u0xI/AAAAAAAAAoY/RHb7yzGRLRI/s1600-h/MakeWireSchematic%25255B8%25255D.jpg"> <p><table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="400" align="center"><tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="133"> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#cccccc"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="" src="http://www.tinyclr.com/uploads/forum/img/4976_MakeBread_v3_small.jpg" width="114" height="222"></font></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="133"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ACWPCPw9taQ/UDMZHEstc5I/AAAAAAAAArM/cNxwnJf9bik/s1600-h/MakeWireSchematic%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><strong><font color="#cccccc"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ACWPCPw9taQ/UDMZHEstc5I/AAAAAAAAArQ/6f0dhLUDcm4/s1600-h/MakeWireSchematic%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="MakeWireSchematic" border="0" alt="MakeWireSchematic" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LlCvJjEI0NE/UDMZIbqbEqI/AAAAAAAAAos/Ca5aWoEw044/MakeWireSchematic_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="107" height="243"></a></font></strong></a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="133"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GYG3kvVKk_0/UDMZI1Ngn-I/AAAAAAAAAo0/XZXHpWVnZz0/s1600-h/2012-08-20%25252021.44.17%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><strong><font color="#cccccc"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-20 21.44.17" border="0" alt="2012-08-20 21.44.17" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6gJ0InedFp8/UDMZJeBhs3I/AAAAAAAAAo8/90pYOiTPPSA/2012-08-20%25252021.44.17_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="141" height="244"></font></strong></a></p></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="133"> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#ffc000">My Sketch</font></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="133"> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#ffc000">Schematic</font></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="133"> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#ffc000">Final Product</font></strong></p></td></tr>
</tbody></table></p></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yf0ZqPjGD3I/UDMZJ1kR1nI/AAAAAAAAApE/GgeQwNzLOzM/s1600-h/2012-08-20%25252021.50.24%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-20 21.50.24" border="0" alt="2012-08-20 21.50.24" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ij7tFOMyO8o/UDMZK-i298I/AAAAAAAAApM/Ztt5nEp9X6k/2012-08-20%25252021.50.24_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="181"></a>Now it was time to try them out. Since I only had three wires and the one resistor that had to be connected to the MakeWire module, I was able to solder everything directly to the board without any problems.</p><p>I started by soldering the ground wire on. Next, I soldered the 4.7K ohm resistor and the data wire into the same hole at pin #4.</p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y8LRoiLS4vo/UDMZLG78oKI/AAAAAAAAApU/kWGInCRg7JY/s1600-h/2012-08-20%25252021.58.19%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-20 21.58.19" border="0" alt="2012-08-20 21.58.19" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ADoRcczRvSs/UDMZLjjXj5I/AAAAAAAAApc/q_Thh0xS75A/2012-08-20%25252021.58.19_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="474"></a> <p>Next, I soldered the other end of the resistor and the +5V wire both into the 5V hole in the module. Before soldering, I stripped a small piece of wire insulator off some jumper wire and put it over the wire coming from the resistor. I did this because I knew I was going to have to fold the resistor down onto the board and I wanted to be sure it didn’t make contact anywhere I didn’t want it to.</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wam9J4G7pG4/UDMZMSJI0RI/AAAAAAAAApk/U0VV2ftO_8E/s1600-h/2012-08-20%25252022.03.12%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-20 22.03.12" border="0" alt="2012-08-20 22.03.12" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VOke91e9Z_4/UDMZMnw0b8I/AAAAAAAAAps/rSheD93rBIk/2012-08-20%25252022.03.12_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="537" height="430"></a></p><p>All that was left was to cover it in shrink wrap.</p><table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="100%"><tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5l7Y44UaVMY/UDMZNWDnlfI/AAAAAAAAAp0/sXCJh4wGS5I/s1600-h/2012-08-20%25252022.05.27%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-20 22.05.27" border="0" alt="2012-08-20 22.05.27" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uosbagifMfU/UDMZOcrRkKI/AAAAAAAAAp8/S3-9JpxEuME/2012-08-20%25252022.05.27_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="159"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AZT3jSSrK-c/UDMZO3CeWYI/AAAAAAAAAqE/5wZLENBWXJY/s1600-h/2012-08-20%25252022.07.21%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-20 22.07.21" border="0" alt="2012-08-20 22.07.21" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OBiAcCdt3Og/UDMZPQXJNyI/AAAAAAAAAqM/VKLfVqPZcTY/2012-08-20%25252022.07.21_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>Now to hook it up to a <a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/349" target="_blank">Cerberus mainboard</a> and test it out.</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AvxdhfC0rs8/UDMZP4ggYXI/AAAAAAAAAqU/-v5tqD7Dals/s1600-h/GadgeteerConnections%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GadgeteerConnections" border="0" alt="GadgeteerConnections" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E8YuG-BWbSs/UDMZQWxgrAI/AAAAAAAAAqc/zrFjxBsnlkI/GadgeteerConnections_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="528" height="350"></a></p><p>To test the sensor, I used <a href="http://www.tinyclr.com/codeshare/entry/438" target="_blank">godefroi’s DS18B20 driver</a> with this simple test code to display the measured temperature (in Celsius) to the Debug output window.</p><pre><div class="csharpcode"><pre><span class="lnum"> 1: </span><span class="kwrd">public</span> <span class="kwrd">partial</span> <span class="kwrd">class</span> Program</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 2: </span> {</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 3: </span> <span class="kwrd">private</span> DS18B20 thermometer;</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 4: </span> </pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 5: </span> <span class="rem">// This method is run when the mainboard is powered up or reset. </span></pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 6: </span> <span class="kwrd">void</span> ProgramStarted()</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 7: </span> {</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 8: </span> Debug.Print(<span class="str">"Program Started"</span>);</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 9: </span> </pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 10: </span> GT.Socket thermoSocket = GT.Socket.GetSocket(thermoExtender.ExtenderSocketNumber, <span class="kwrd">true</span>, thermoExtender, <span class="kwrd">null</span>);</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 11: </span> thermometer = <span class="kwrd">new</span> DS18B20(thermoSocket.CpuPins[4]);</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 12: </span> </pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 13: </span> var thermoTimer = <span class="kwrd">new</span> GT.Timer(1000);</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 14: </span> thermoTimer.Tick += timer => Debug.Print(thermometer.ConvertAndReadTemperature().ToString());</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 15: </span> thermoTimer.Start();</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 16: </span> }</pre><pre><span class="lnum"> 17: </span> }</pre></div><style type="text/css">.csharpcode, .csharpcode pre
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<p>Full source code can be found here:<br />
<a href="https://github.com/ianlee74/Gadgeteer/tree/master/DS18B20%20Thermometer%20Test">https://github.com/ianlee74/Gadgeteer/tree/master/DS18B20%20Thermometer%20Test</a></p><br />
<p>And here’s the output!</p><br />
<p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DebugOutput" border="0" alt="DebugOutput" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--OQ6iaABL1s/UDMZRxDR5-I/AAAAAAAAAqs/WAt3Tm7Qwns/DebugOutput_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="545" height="193"></p><br />
<p>Eric did a great job with the module and I plan to include it in several more projects that are in the works. If you have a need for a custom Gadgeteer module, contact Eric or one of the other pros over at the <a href="http://www.tinyclr.com/forum/board?id=21" target="_blank">tinyclr.com</a> Gadgeteer forum.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading.</p>ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-42407672510545241802012-08-14T02:57:00.001-05:002012-09-03T00:29:32.326-05:00Gadgetab – the Gadgeteer Tablet<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SDjVpqBPzho/UCsO-8WfxEI/AAAAAAAAAnA/HXEU4mlmdHg/s1600-h/IMG_7943%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7943" border="0" alt="IMG_7943" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7XkP4V7kqzU/UCsO_S5sXZI/AAAAAAAAAnI/6nQO-wDI-W0/IMG_7943_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="522" height="417"></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 581px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:25b550a7-101e-49b0-a743-c132ea8d07ec" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="060d799f-15ea-4c90-965d-b717f1d33d62" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieanloly1CY&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Oo0tCHJwS4/UEQ_vMjnNeI/AAAAAAAAAsM/-SKRt7laeuU/videob1cc8eefb1de%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('060d799f-15ea-4c90-965d-b717f1d33d62'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"581\" height=\"324\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ieanloly1CY?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ieanloly1CY?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"581\" height=\"324\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E2t6nNhIuAU/UCoEcGDLbJI/AAAAAAAAAdg/5vd06X0dIXQ/s1600-h/2012-08-14%25252000.11.58%25255B5%25255D%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-14 00.11.58" border="0" alt="2012-08-14 00.11.58" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q8TZaHuJXmk/UCoEcoUkNqI/AAAAAAAAAdo/JcJkMmQ61Co/2012-08-14%25252000.11.58%25255B5%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="215"></a></p> <p><font color="#f79646" size="4"><strong>This story…</strong></font></p> <p>…begins a couple years ago when I started the <a href="http://blog.ianlee.info/2011/08/omnicopter-getting-off-ground.html" target="_blank">Omnicopter</a>. To fly the copter, I needed a remote. So, I built the Omnimote (right). It was a <a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/256" target="_blank">Panda-II</a> powered remote that used <a href="http://www.digi.com/products/wireless/zigbee-mesh/xbee-series2-module.jsp" target="_blank">XBee</a> to communicate with the copter. It also had a small (slow) FEZ Touch display that was useful for displaying some info but had limited ability as a touch screen due to it being a resistive touch screen and it was just too slow to be depended on for use during flight.</p> <p>As I’ve built other projects since then, it’s become more and more evident that I have a need for a universal device that can communicate and display information with other projects. </p> <p>In the past year, most of my focus has been drawn toward the Gadgeteer platform for electronics prototyping. It’s a much more flexible and productive platform than anything else that exists at the moment and has dozens of powerful modules (subcircuits) that can be attached to it. Gadgeteer has become my go-to platform when developing electronics projects.</p> <p>I’ve been doing quite a bit of Gadgeteer evangelizing the past year by giving <a href="http://nashdotnet.org/?s=Ian+Lee&submit=Search" target="_blank">presentations</a> at our local <a href="http://nashdotnet.org" target="_blank">.NET users’ group</a> and at conferences. I’m also starting the <a href="http://nashmicro.net" target="_blank">Nashville Microcontrollers users’ group</a>. So, the desire to have a truly portable and compact solution for demoing Gadgeteer in addition to something that is useful for my other projects has become a little more important.</p> <p><a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/376" target="_blank"><img style="display: inline; float: left" align="left" src="http://www.ghielectronics.com/images/catalog/376-0_small.jpg" width="132" height="89"></a>However, one piece has been missing to allow me to build the Gadgetab of my dreams – a large capacitive touch display. <a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/" target="_blank">GHI Electronics</a> recently solved that problem with the release of their <a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/376" target="_blank">CP7 module</a> – a 7” capacitive touch display. So, let the building begin!</p> <p>The design goal was to build a tablet type device that could be useful as a remote, demo device, have some room for storage, be battery powered, and look nice – lots of software & sawdust.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><font color="#f79646" size="4">The Mounting Plate</font></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WJCxmXuVXOA/UCoEdExu5RI/AAAAAAAAAdw/DpHfHSmFZbc/s1600-h/2012-08-04%25252019.38.44%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-04 19.38.44" border="0" alt="2012-08-04 19.38.44" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n5O60XtUNSA/UCoEdkCaT_I/AAAAAAAAAd4/tEvdOD5BVw8/2012-08-04%25252019.38.44_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a>It just happened that I’d been talking to <a href="http://stevepresley.net/" target="_blank">Steve Presley</a>, who is starting up a custom CNC & 3D printing service, about building some mounting boards for Gadgeteer projects. I gave him some dimensions and he went to work. A few days later, I received a perfectly CNC machined piece of 1/4” blue acrylic in the mail and I went to work building the box that would house it.</p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#f79646" size="4"><strong>Constructing the Box</strong></font></p> <p> <table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kVWqV5X0Uuw/UCoEeNcg2jI/AAAAAAAAAeA/PXKaLX8anVw/s1600-h/2012-08-04%25252018.24.19%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-04 18.24.19" border="0" alt="2012-08-04 18.24.19" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QqaR0VjNVac/UCoEewZcx1I/AAAAAAAAAeI/fzfQMfME4fA/2012-08-04%25252018.24.19_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"> <p align="left">I started by taking a scrap piece of 3/4” walnut and cut it into three pieces. Two long pieces (9 3/4”) would serve as the top & bottom sides of the box. A 6” piece was cut for the other two sides of the box.</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">The 6” piece was resawed using the table saw to produce two thinner pieces for the end sides of the box where the openings would exist.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AOSkqTv5mfI/UCoEfbzEnfI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/Xz1EvJ2VXtQ/s1600-h/2012-08-04%25252018.25.39%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-04 18.25.39" border="0" alt="2012-08-04 18.25.39" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lwBmBh60gZo/UCoEgMwlerI/AAAAAAAAAeY/ioNRSTOw8NI/2012-08-04%25252018.25.39_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AHXPMEONb-c/UCoEgi0F8fI/AAAAAAAAAeg/IYjk6W99TLo/s1600-h/2012-08-04%25252018.45.11%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-04 18.45.11" border="0" alt="2012-08-04 18.45.11" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dEGAGBJJqPo/UCoEhIa4uwI/AAAAAAAAAeo/6CgiPu-AxX0/2012-08-04%25252018.45.11_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">After resawing, the side pieces were ripped into two pieces to allow for the space on the sides where the external connectors would be located.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Next, I used the router table to mill several dados in the pieces where they would fit together.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PZnP3wphNxg/UCoEhvHYFhI/AAAAAAAAAew/gtWhiVw6nOY/s1600-h/2012-08-04%25252021.16.08%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-04 21.16.08" border="0" alt="2012-08-04 21.16.08" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XqCJKrECv70/UCoEiNWa78I/AAAAAAAAAe4/kK1tAK19ZUM/2012-08-04%25252021.16.08_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KWA7H7KhOf0/UCoEiijwcGI/AAAAAAAAAfA/YNdFfVSX-Xw/s1600-h/2012-08-04%25252021.14.59%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-04 21.14.59" border="0" alt="2012-08-04 21.14.59" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GMiF7Ics3zA/UCoEi_oP5oI/AAAAAAAAAfI/9qA-l_-7BAQ/2012-08-04%25252021.14.59_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">Time for a test fit. Perfect fit! :)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Let’s glue it up!</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eKEDzLWnwMo/UCoEjv0IgcI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/jA4IGari-VY/s1600-h/2012-08-04%25252021.39.48%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-04 21.39.48" border="0" alt="2012-08-04 21.39.48" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bSFPDALsGx0/UCoEjwhkRsI/AAAAAAAAAfY/GqDEJ-jeHdA/2012-08-04%25252021.39.48_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1AJj2XiUqJw/UCoEkVsUuyI/AAAAAAAAAfg/qmZo0ji2tfY/s1600-h/2012-08-05%25252012.14.07%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-05 12.14.07" border="0" alt="2012-08-05 12.14.07" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3BYEAhj2gnQ/UCoEk7YOTxI/AAAAAAAAAfo/ri9GG0Bqs80/2012-08-05%25252012.14.07_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="186" height="246"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">While the sides were drying, I worked on the top & bottom. I found a wide piece of 7/8” walnut and cut it to 9 1/2” x 7”.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">I then resawed it on the bandsaw to produce two pieces roughly 3/8” thick. A quick pass on the thickness planer to smooth out the saw marks and ensure they were flat and they’re ready to go.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0nSuFECtiOM/UCoElA2r0wI/AAAAAAAAAfw/LdQgNeqTWfo/s1600-h/2012-08-05%25252012.14.34%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-05 12.14.34" border="0" alt="2012-08-05 12.14.34" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7U9fxUQtB1w/UCoEluPysMI/AAAAAAAAAf4/ADOXAvZt0f4/2012-08-05%25252012.14.34_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LLfckU5PrA4/UCoEmNLBeiI/AAAAAAAAAgA/-s0gMXeu3jc/s1600-h/2012-08-05%25252012.21.21%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-05 12.21.21" border="0" alt="2012-08-05 12.21.21" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DY587CcNAKc/UCoEmk28MgI/AAAAAAAAAgI/zM6k41z8-EY/2012-08-05%25252012.21.21_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">After giving the glue 24 hrs to harden, I took the clamps off and glued up the top & bottom. Glue was brushed on to ensure 100% coverage of the glued surfaces. Too much glue is better than two little. The right amount of glue will produce some squeeze out that will help ensure you have no gaps.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Using some scrap plywood as cauls to help ensure even pressure and to prevent the wood from clamp damage, I then clamped it up. Lots of pressure is essential here to ensure there’s no gaps and everything stays together.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oKQ-X44d-o0/UCoEnBvrqtI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/S_QTqy5GSAc/s1600-h/2012-08-05%25252012.31.22%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-05 12.31.22" border="0" alt="2012-08-05 12.31.22" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cu5i2Qz0M1M/UCoEnnHiJJI/AAAAAAAAAgY/LcvyTbgwvIY/2012-08-05%25252012.31.22_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4xa7fddEn5k/UCoEnz5ReQI/AAAAAAAAAgg/PkAxQkOJjQk/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252019.34.06%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 19.34.06" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 19.34.06" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pnpe1zdYpfY/UCoEocysiyI/AAAAAAAAAgo/Ab9ZGC5BSX0/2012-08-06%25252019.34.06_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="186" height="246"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">Wait another 24 hours then take off the clamps. Note all the extra glue on the box. Also, I forgot to wax my scrap plywood and it glued to the box along the edges. Not a problem… </td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Using a hand plane and a card scraper, I removed the extra glue and plywood. Looking better, huh?</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gFkWM2JOe1o/UCoEo8nq15I/AAAAAAAAAgw/ikAb5LZFeDs/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252019.48.18%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 19.48.18" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 19.48.18" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IsTDHxBURHI/UCoEpZHJQhI/AAAAAAAAAg4/_7iwSWvuhXc/2012-08-06%25252019.48.18_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x7hgvG2Q9DA/UCoEqMrkZeI/AAAAAAAAAhE/pfGA65g4jcQ/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252020.06.49%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 20.06.49" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 20.06.49" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AhlIhjtLQ2k/UCoEqkD_T-I/AAAAAAAAAhM/LShCE9cf0E8/2012-08-06%25252020.06.49_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">Next, I put a 3/8” roundover bit in the router table and rounded over all the edges of the box to make it comfortable to hold in my hands.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Using an orbital sander, I smoothed out any problem areas using 80 grit sandpaper then followed up with 120 grit sandpaper over the entire box. No reason to smooth it any further at this point. We’ll save the fine sanding for later.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FTK52ahgByU/UCoErBfQmfI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Q9m1fKGjLWo/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252020.20.01%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 20.20.01" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 20.20.01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SgXF6_tTEWA/UCoErquLbSI/AAAAAAAAAhc/B15eNEm-WHc/2012-08-06%25252020.20.01_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HTo0ql-Sk-I/UCoEsMLAIiI/AAAAAAAAAhk/1-Gs_8Ce-wo/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252022.06.34%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 22.06.34" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 22.06.34" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--jotangtZcQ/UCoEs-ig0NI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ZEqVf3ymIgk/2012-08-06%25252022.06.34_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">Time to cut a whole for the CP7 display. Since it’s hard to see pen marks on the dark walnut, I add some green tape to the areas to be cut and then mark out the opening for the display.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Drill some holes in opposite corners big enough to fit a jigsaw into.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wwtyRzOiVbU/UCoEtDRErAI/AAAAAAAAAh0/HxoJmsoysvE/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252022.09.33%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 22.09.33" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 22.09.33" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y6AtyrmNDpY/UCoEt4r9V1I/AAAAAAAAAh8/_V5JjU4-qMs/2012-08-06%25252022.09.33_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dcshFFL4zS8/UCoEuBbNKzI/AAAAAAAAAiE/Feotim9pwO0/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252022.16.16%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 22.16.16" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 22.16.16" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vqhtn1dNajU/UCoEuuKtHbI/AAAAAAAAAiM/NeW7m5wc7Hw/2012-08-06%25252022.16.16_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">Cut out the opening using a jigsaw then remove the tape.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Time for a test fit. NICE!</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9cOnaNt1nHw/UCoEvPwvHJI/AAAAAAAAAiU/2FzUgo4Fk-M/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252022.19.07%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 22.19.07" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 22.19.07" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H-RzXHAsKRg/UCoEvXm1i0I/AAAAAAAAAic/eRQkmj8Bydc/2012-08-06%25252022.19.07_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bFywlr3tP_Y/UCoEvzo6V4I/AAAAAAAAAik/ueetTWK865s/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252022.29.52%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 22.29.52" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 22.29.52" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IO-qDG8a4QE/UCoEwB3Kz7I/AAAAAAAAAis/uqdHm1F2uA4/2012-08-06%25252022.29.52_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="320"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">So, you’ve probably been asking yourself… “Self, how’s he going to open that box since it’s glued together?” Simple, we’re going to cut it in half. Fortunately, we only have to saw two sides of this box since the other two are already open in the middle. We line up the saw blade so that it cuts perfectly with the edge of the opening and set the blade height so that it’s just a hair short of cutting all the way though. We don’t want to cut all the way though or the box will flop around when we cut the other side and will create unwanted damage from the saw blade. Cut both sides.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Using a hand saw, we’ll carefully cut out the hair thin piece that’s holding the two parts together. The box will likely pop apart shortly after you begin sawing.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Q0mAlnxFNc/UCoEwlCPEXI/AAAAAAAAAi0/WxAYXg13ces/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252022.31.13%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 22.31.13" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 22.31.13" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F22uuzJ_kTw/UCoExAeYjII/AAAAAAAAAi8/cb85Dkiroo0/2012-08-06%25252022.31.13_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yGTmv8Zbs6o/UCoExjcKGJI/AAAAAAAAAjE/XhCPy4ud5dw/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252022.32.49%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 22.32.49" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 22.32.49" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ljnRlFCeSt0/UCoEx_V0dRI/AAAAAAAAAjM/yae_JFlyG6w/2012-08-06%25252022.32.49_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">Clean up the remaining bits of the thin strip using a box cutter.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Time for a test fit of the mounting plate. Oh yea!</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MdkoCRBrALM/UCoEyTdCOLI/AAAAAAAAAjU/7iRLmKuzOIY/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252023.06.01%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 23.06.01" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 23.06.01" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IU8n8-hd1Ag/UCoEy3XoXaI/AAAAAAAAAjc/wj2es8MvEFw/2012-08-06%25252023.06.01_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="186" height="246"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qj_NzoxMGJA/UCoEzYdC56I/AAAAAAAAAjk/U-are91tREI/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252023.07.04%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 23.07.04" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 23.07.04" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aGbsDR-4dLQ/UCoEzoLLG_I/AAAAAAAAAjs/wA0RWk8CFKc/2012-08-06%25252023.07.04_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">Those joysticks need holes now…</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Using a Forstner bit on the drill press, I make quick work of that task.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WtGFA-z_4VE/UCoE0KYx70I/AAAAAAAAAj0/MVciV1ZGBuo/s1600-h/2012-08-06%25252023.21.00%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-06 23.21.00" border="0" alt="2012-08-06 23.21.00" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4RYbZ1L4X2I/UCoE0gp_eDI/AAAAAAAAAj8/dnM5c7iCesM/2012-08-06%25252023.21.00_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="186" height="246"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-78oCbT1c24g/UCoE1d-UPmI/AAAAAAAAAkE/hDKtXs1Jr3I/s1600-h/2012-08-07%25252019.35.51%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-07 19.35.51" border="0" alt="2012-08-07 19.35.51" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c6rNmzEy45A/UCoE1xpq2BI/AAAAAAAAAkM/1pRarehVrq8/2012-08-07%25252019.35.51_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">The joystick bases are semi-spherical and need a little more space. So, using a drum sander attachment on the Dremel tool we make the hole openings concave.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Time to cut the dovetails… We start by routing a dado where the dovetail sliders will run. This will remove a lot of the wood and make the actual dovetail slot much easier for the dovetail bit and prevent it from breaking. We do this in two passes. Cutting half the height in each pass. We repeat these steps for all four dovetail slots (two on the top and two on the bottom)</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GGAyGv8s5Kg/UCoE2Zqzn1I/AAAAAAAAAkU/NN6J3Q_Y8B0/s1600-h/2012-08-07%25252020.01.38%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-07 20.01.38" border="0" alt="2012-08-07 20.01.38" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kTnuOJ08E4E/UCoE25lyscI/AAAAAAAAAkc/RJ4brPyE66c/2012-08-07%25252020.01.38_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5iKxjEDE1lQ/UCoE3eBRWPI/AAAAAAAAAkk/xJVlqsOjTdk/s1600-h/2012-08-07%25252020.19.35%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-07 20.19.35" border="0" alt="2012-08-07 20.19.35" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2CIVgzQHdi8/UCoE3rHtgvI/AAAAAAAAAks/iMSe7sc1WDY/2012-08-07%25252020.19.35_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">And finally, install the 1/2” dovetail bit and cut the slots.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Lookin’ good?</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8HyFD9vEpqI/UCoE4xiaJtI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Zxy4RgQYbAw/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N46MKE6PIeQ/UCoE5n2UjaI/AAAAAAAAAk4/SMkXLHgD0oU/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mpj7dliZO28/UCoE6aSVziI/AAAAAAAAAlE/1b7lIgPwhHE/s1600-h/2012-08-07%25252021.10.16%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-07 21.10.16" border="0" alt="2012-08-07 21.10.16" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-09-G5NTra1M/UCoE61a5t6I/AAAAAAAAAlM/Bin8gUnWRBM/2012-08-07%25252021.10.16_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">Now the tricky part… We have to cut the sliders so that they fit perfectly and don’t allow any slop and make the box appear lose. We cut some rectangular strips out of hickory (for color contrast) that are exactly the height from top to bottom of the slot and are exactly 1/2” wide. Keeping the dovetail bit at the same height, we adjust the fence so that it aligns over the bit such that the bottom corner of the bit lines up perfectly with the bottom edge of the hickory strip. Run each strip across the bit four times to cut the double dovetail slider.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">Test fit. SMOOTH!</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LufTU_hlbJM/UCoE7cTYyqI/AAAAAAAAAlU/7fYGiUSZKTE/s1600-h/2012-08-07%25252021.42.20%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-07 21.42.20" border="0" alt="2012-08-07 21.42.20" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RWbzVZ_BHMQ/UCoE7lKcgDI/AAAAAAAAAlc/RdclJMxwWbQ/2012-08-07%25252021.42.20_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n9HD0VXoUmg/UCoE8OZ2-lI/AAAAAAAAAlk/FnGRtAIlyLQ/s1600-h/2012-08-07%25252022.36.38%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-07 22.36.38" border="0" alt="2012-08-07 22.36.38" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v2PAqZBIeY4/UCoE8m4_F6I/AAAAAAAAAls/w3kKLxHLgeQ/2012-08-07%25252022.36.38_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200">After sanding the entire box with 220 grit then some 400 grit sandpaper, it’s time to start applying the finish. I apply one heavy coat of Watco Danish Oil first and let it sit 24 hrs. Be sure not to leave any standing oil.</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200">After the first coat dries, I lightly sanded the whole thing in 400 grit sandpaper. Then I repeated this process with four coats of satin wipe-on polyurethane. Then I attached the CP7 using the double-stick tape that is supplied. AFTER the CP7 is mounted, apply a coat of paste wax to the box and polish it to a smooth sheen.</td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7l3nVrtGa1o/UCoE9EGLvpI/AAAAAAAAAl8/oP80S3074ic/s1600-h/2012-08-12%25252016.36.48%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-12 16.36.48" border="0" alt="2012-08-12 16.36.48" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NkpiFpbG92Y/UCoE9kpjmzI/AAAAAAAAAmI/jyf8Qsp6zFs/2012-08-12%25252016.36.48_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p> <p>This has been a fun project that yielded a platform that I’m sure you’ll see as an essential of many future projects. So, stay tuned and keep making!</p> <p><font color="#f79646" size="4">Special Thanks</font></p> <p><strong><a href="http://stevepresley.net/" target="_blank">Steve Presley</a></strong> – for milling a perfectly fitting acrylic base plate. If you have any custom CNC or 3D printing needs, <a href="http://stevepresley.net/contact" target="_blank">contact Steve</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.skewworks.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Skewworks</strong></a> – for making the best UI controls available for <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/netmf/default.mspx" target="_blank">.NET Micro Framework</a> and letting me try out his new Tinkr controls.</p> <p><a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/" target="_blank">GHI Electronics</a> – for building the best Gadgeteer components and for setting the gold standard in customer support. They’ve also built the best <a href="http://www.netmf.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank">NETMF</a>/Gadgeteer community on the planet. Got Gadgeteer questions? Bring them to <a href="http://tinyclr.com" target="_blank">tinyclr.com</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://channel9.msdn.com/coding4fun/blog/Gadgetab--the-Gadgeteer-Tablet" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Coding4Fun" border="0" alt="Coding4Fun" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gT-yXiJNkYk/UEQ_v8ozcEI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/w4HGP-epWbo/Coding4Fun%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="232" height="46"></a></p> <p>Microsoft’s Channel 9 Coding 4 Fun site featured this project! </p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com5Spring Hill, TN, USA35.751179 -86.930002335.648087000000004 -87.0879308 35.854271 -86.7720738tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-22878950725243076472012-07-17T23:38:00.001-05:002012-07-20T23:42:11.362-05:00My New Power Supply<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vW9lZ9-yQrg/UAY9f8Ry4mI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/DniPpsDC_no/s1600-h/2012-07-17%25252022.19.50%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-17 22.19.50" border="0" alt="2012-07-17 22.19.50" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0UVDaz47jm0/UAY9gUc4n9I/AAAAAAAAAZY/su5eRmrZgrg/2012-07-17%25252022.19.50_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="329"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XJujxXojbs4/UAY9g7LdZ2I/AAAAAAAAAZg/3DqQvBEU_gE/s1600-h/ATX_BB_front%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ATX_BB_front" border="0" alt="ATX_BB_front" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sd1Ht0PDjpk/UAY9hgXvsAI/AAAAAAAAAZo/D3IRUCZZEdM/ATX_BB_front_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="213" height="176"></a>This is a project that’s been in the back of my mind for a long time but I just never seemed to find the time to build it. When I saw the new <a href="http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/ATX_Breakout_Board" target="_blank">ATX Breakout Board</a> by Dangerous Prototypes, I was inspired to get the project started. </p> <p>This build is for my home office which I plan to eventually be completely decorated in fine hardwood (built by yours truly). So, I wanted this piece to be a blending of fine furniture and high tech. With that goal in mind, I got to work.</p> <p>The dimensions of the box were based on the dimensions of my Rigol DS1052E oscilloscope which will sit on top of it for now. It’s a little deeper due to the requirements of the ATX power supply that sits inside. If my lumber had been a little wider, I would have liked for the box to been maybe an inch deep than it is. I didn’t end up with as much clearance as I would have liked inside the box.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1ozRSIiYcpk/UAY9iLlcghI/AAAAAAAAAZw/7ZljUuNhRpU/s1600-h/2012-07-14%25252014.33.58%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-14 14.33.58" border="0" alt="2012-07-14 14.33.58" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zizQNeKR9S8/UAY9iqSX2RI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/qsrNWc83_kM/2012-07-14%25252014.33.58_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a>The casing is made from a single piece of scrap walnut and the grain is maintained around the perimeter of the box. The top and sides are joined with a miter joint and the bottom fits on with a large box joint and is screwed on.</p> <p><font color="#ff0000"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ff0000"><-- No, that is not OSHA approved footwear.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w2yQbD1ctvA/UAY9jNLHHoI/AAAAAAAAAaA/WcG6rNV0teE/s1600-h/2012-07-14%25252014.35.38%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-14 14.35.38" border="0" alt="2012-07-14 14.35.38" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EPZuk5wKuWo/UAY9jmcxQEI/AAAAAAAAAaI/dMv9Fdq9mVI/2012-07-14%25252014.35.38_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a>Then I used a 1/4” straight bit on my router table to cut 3/8” deep dados for the front and back panels to fit into.</p> <p>Note that after a test fit, I later realized that the dados needed to be extended all the way through the feet of the box so that the front & back panels could be removed after everything was glued up. One of my design goals was to make it so that I could easily remove & modify the front and back panels later if I come up with other things I want to add. This list has started already….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yXC_3EHLOD8/UAY9kMn5O9I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/TM25Y4JjRnU/s1600-h/2012-07-14%25252015.27.14%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-14 15.27.14" border="0" alt="2012-07-14 15.27.14" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fupja_DPvNc/UAY9k6TmMUI/AAAAAAAAAaY/ESl4AwUzS0k/2012-07-14%25252015.27.14_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a>After cutting the front & back panel blanks out of 1/4” hardboard, it was time for a test fit. The bottom was sanded a bit to make it easy to put on & off then it was time to start the glue up. I used a tape clamp method to glue up the miter joints. To do this, you just fit the top & sides together tightly while laying on a flat table and then put some 2” masking tape the full length of the joint. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZwkArA4AqFQ/UAY9lc93YCI/AAAAAAAAAag/0yAYfkDCAbk/s1600-h/2012-07-14%25252015.32.50%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-14 15.32.50" border="0" alt="2012-07-14 15.32.50" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iEJM0PsWQPc/UAY9l_Fh5sI/AAAAAAAAAao/gZVtOsa8QRY/2012-07-14%25252015.32.50_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a>Flip the parts over and glue thoroughly and spread with a glue brush so that both sides of the joint are fairly heavy in glue. It’s better to have too much glue than too little since the squeeze out will help fill in any cracks you may have in your joint.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M53Q4Smhnh4/UAY9meqvVLI/AAAAAAAAAaw/I-42H79ebnk/s1600-h/2012-07-14%25252015.37.57%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-14 15.37.57" border="0" alt="2012-07-14 15.37.57" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5USuH5fZy8E/UAY9m7GrwjI/AAAAAAAAAa4/4otZayWH19A/2012-07-14%25252015.37.57_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a>Since the box bottom is held on with screws and is not glued, I was able to take advantage of this and use the screws to hold the box together while the glue dried.</p> <p>I gave the box 24 hours to dry before doing anything else with it. In the meantime, I started work on the front panel. </p> <p> </p> <p>The ATX Breakout Board breaks out +12V, +5V, 3V3, –5V, and –12V. I had some premium screw down banana plug studs that I had bought for this project months earlier. The breakout board comes with some cheap banana plugs. So, they went into my parts bin. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GpfxlL1PKb8/UAY9nQqEhxI/AAAAAAAAAbA/knryngld_Fs/s1600-h/2012-07-16%25252023.02.14%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-16 23.02.14" border="0" alt="2012-07-16 23.02.14" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hExcm8J4he8/UAY9oFu4DVI/AAAAAAAAAbI/367UxnWY4Nk/2012-07-16%25252023.02.14_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="400"></a>I laid out the parts on the front panel and drilled all the holes for the banana plugs, LEDs, main switch, and the breakout board. I wanted everything mounted on the front panel so that if I wanted to make any adjustments, I would only have to unplug the power supply and slide out the front panel without worrying with parts attached to the case in other places.</p> <p>The ATX Breakout Board comes with a push button switch soldered on. This wasn’t going to be of any use to me since I planned an external toggle switch. Unfortunately, the switch that came on the board was going to be in the way of my power supply. So, it had to be removed. This wasn’t a simple task. In the end, I decided that destroying the switch was going to be the easiest and most time efficient solution. I would recommend to Dangerous Prototypes that they leave this switch unsoldered. It’s a lot easier to solder the switch on than it is to remove.</p> <p>Once the glue was good and dry, I put a large roundover bit in my router table and rounded over all the outside edges of the box and sanded it down to 400 grit and finished the walnut with a first coat of Danish Oil and then a couple coats of rub on polyurethane.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9wivIFh-3tc/UAY9orwhjQI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/ExchtVkvJGc/s1600-h/2012-07-17%25252020.41.24%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-17 20.41.24" border="0" alt="2012-07-17 20.41.24" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C0fiakB-iec/UAY9pBAeAYI/AAAAAAAAAbY/qcHz9r065p0/2012-07-17%25252020.41.24_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a>The power supply is mounted to the top of the box with an angle bracket and screws. A piece of wood was glued to the bottom inside of the box that is equal in height to the spacing between the power supply and the bottom as a way to hold up the front side of the power supply. The back side is held up by the back panel.</p> <p>Note the air holes drilled in the bottom at the front of the power supply.</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ct8jVtenNSI/UAY9pm8v_1I/AAAAAAAAAbg/rvFD04G18SU/s1600-h/2012-07-17%25252020.45.56%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-17 20.45.56" border="0" alt="2012-07-17 20.45.56" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tUHs8eagwQw/UAY9qOZg6sI/AAAAAAAAAbo/61AYagC2l6Y/2012-07-17%25252020.45.56_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oIwkfkAAqK4/UAY9q3wUipI/AAAAAAAAAbw/jf8rIzpu3Pk/s1600-h/2012-07-17%25252020.48.07%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-17 20.48.07" border="0" alt="2012-07-17 20.48.07" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-07Wa8Q3SjlE/UAY9rVMMNNI/AAAAAAAAAb4/w91_s8vU840/2012-07-17%25252020.48.07_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a></td></tr></tbody></table> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M2ZlOtqIhg8/UAY9r1O4CiI/AAAAAAAAAcA/c429qSNlOF4/s1600-h/2012-07-17%25252022.20.46%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-17 22.20.46" border="0" alt="2012-07-17 22.20.46" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PLToxG5TQlw/UAY9sUnvuyI/AAAAAAAAAcI/XQgiRmL2zV4/2012-07-17%25252022.20.46_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a>The power supply has a built-in blue LED glow :)</p> <p>The green LED in the top left corner is the mains power indicator.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j4s4cBtVASM/UAY9s4qpN7I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/0JXhcUExqYc/s1600-h/2012-07-17%25252020.54.36%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-07-17 20.54.36" border="0" alt="2012-07-17 20.54.36" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NV-agvRJYfo/UAY9tabgI9I/AAAAAAAAAcY/MpmHO9lWiJ8/2012-07-17%25252020.54.36_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The plugs aren’t labeled yet. I’m still searching for a more elegant way to do that than just sticking on labels. I may actually end up having a piece of 1/4” plywood laser cut & etched at some place like Ponoko to make a new front panel. The empty area to the left of the plugs is dying to have a logo or something etched on it!</p> <p>This has been a fun project and I especially like the blending of woodworking & technology. These are the types of projects I had in mind when I started “Software & Sawdust”. I plan to do a lot more like it in the future. Stay tuned!</p> <p>EDIT: As many have pointed out and I failed to mention in the original post, the DP ATX Breakout Board has 1.25 amp polyfuses which seriously limits the power supply in it’s current state. I’m in the process of sourcing replacements for those polyfuses that will allow better utilization of the full capacity of the ATX power supply.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q_CDTj33TRc/UAeBkj2k4RI/AAAAAAAAAck/kiraBBKkIAY/s1600-h/DangerousPrototypesLogo%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DangerousPrototypesLogo" border="0" alt="DangerousPrototypesLogo" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oAH821CynrU/UAeBkx_fWUI/AAAAAAAAAcs/nnBOyoRKzS8/DangerousPrototypesLogo_thumb%25255B21%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="36" height="36"></a>7/18/2012 – Woo! Hoo! The folks over at Dangerous Prototypes <a href="http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/07/18/benchtop-power-supply-based-on-atx-breakout-board/#comment-58614" target="_blank">blogged</a> about this project.<br></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qPxGhHD1YBM/UAoy4YGQiYI/AAAAAAAAAc4/ABrfrPXBy58/s1600-h/HackADayLogo%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HackADayLogo" border="0" alt="HackADayLogo" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CsxgO27zgVA/UAoy4xdoEsI/AAAAAAAAAdA/tRTP9b4T2rk/HackADayLogo_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="36" height="36"></a>7/20/2012 – Woo! Hoo! Hoo! It made <a href="http://hackaday.com/2012/07/20/giving-an-atx-bench-supply-the-case-it-deserves/" target="_blank">Hack A Day</a>!</p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-21354581826287220852012-07-03T23:52:00.001-05:002013-01-15T12:38:16.295-06:002012 Red Bull Creation: A Better Fish Trap<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8C8At_FFnq8/T_PMEme178I/AAAAAAAAAX4/7Bd4R0Db3TQ/s1600-h/RedBullCreation%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="RedBullCreation" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="RedBullCreation" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-REhKvl8wGk4/T_PMFDIuSEI/AAAAAAAAAYA/8N3o8ARZwpA/RedBullCreation_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="103"></a>With such short notice of the Red Bull Creation contest and so little time before the deadline, I had to come up with a project quickly that would fit into activities I already had planned for the Independence Day holiday weekend. Also, there wasn’t time to order parts so it had to be a project that we could build with parts I already had or could obtain locally.</p> <p>“A Better Fish Trap” was envisioned. I had planned a fishing trip with the kids and this project would be fun for us all and should be a fairly quick build that <em>shouldn’t</em> occupy my entire weekend.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VB2QQ-bS6Gg/T_PMFadmb7I/AAAAAAAAAYI/Rn392hwOVVg/s1600-h/SleepingZ%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="SleepingZ" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="SleepingZ" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0zl4sTevzAc/T_PMFykuZ8I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/h6DJVmcpUt0/SleepingZ_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="167"></a>When I go fishing there’s really only one type of fishing I’m interested in – CATFISHING! Aside from saltwater fishing, there’s nothing better than sticking some chicken liver on a hook and tossing it out to the depths of a lake and waiting…for a monster cat. Depending on how hungry the fish are feeling, you may wait minutes or hours before a hungry catfish finally takes the bait. Depending on how relaxed you are, this could result in a missed opportunity.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xcKCkCU6hyE/T_PMGZ8RZkI/AAAAAAAAAYY/iN-S6pKYds8/s1600-h/2012-06-27%25252022.10.58%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2012-06-27 22.10.58" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2012-06-27 22.10.58" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xn9L_STZWk8/T_PMG-RGt6I/AAAAAAAAAYg/tf1kET9Funw/2012-06-27%25252022.10.58_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="154"></a>With “A Better Fish Trap”, you’ll never lose another opportunity to yank a big fish out of the water. The project was to build a stand that you would prop your fishing pole on. When a fish bites the bait and causes the pole to be yanked, a “tug sensor” (aka momentary switch) would be switched and the <a href="http://www.popsci.com/announcements/article/2012-06/popsci-teaming-red-bull-2012-creation-project" target="_blank">Bullduino</a> would play an alarm through a couple of Red Bull speakers (empty Red Bull cans with piezos inside them) to <strike>awaken</strike> alert the fisherman. Since it is also popular to fish for catfish at night using multiple rods, I also added some RGB blinky LEDs to the bottom of the cans that provide a visual indicator of which pole needs the attention. What catfish could resist the call of disco lights and piezo music?</p> <p>Here’s the submitted video with build details in the last part of it. If anything isn’t obvious, feel free to comment below and I’ll fill in the gaps.</p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:35fd918b-0007-4488-a1bb-ca3c8118d938" class="wlWriterSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; width: 489px; margin-right: auto"> <div id="215466f7-affc-42a2-b462-f27dd344adab" style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"> <div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="275" width="489" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ut84dNjHof8?hl=en&hd=1"></embed></div></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8em; clear: both; width: 489px">2012 Red Bull Creation–A Better Fish Trap</div></div> <p>Electrically, the Bullduino is very under-utilized. If I’d had time to order parts, I would have probably gone overboard and ordered an accelerometer to use instead of the momentary switch. This would have perhaps made the physical build a bit simpler and created more programming work. This might have made the project a little more interesting academically. However, the project worked perfectly as it is designed. Here’s the full schematic.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8PspJpTTFhU/T_PMHr2LknI/AAAAAAAAAYw/oqAa8s0C1xI/s1600-h/Bullduino%252520Fish%252520Detector%252520Schematic%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bullduino Fish Detector Schematic" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Bullduino Fish Detector Schematic" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TkAbcZ3Pxq4/T_PMIMoh_TI/AAAAAAAAAY4/KQ8-z-zn9Ho/Bullduino%252520Fish%252520Detector%252520Schematic_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="337"></a></p> <p>The arduino code is equally simple. Basically, it waits for the momentary switch to be triggered and then responds by activating the blinky RGB LEDs and playing tones through the piezo speakers. Examples of doing both are in the built-in Arduino examples but if you would like the code, feel free to ask and I’ll send it to you.</p> <p>This was a quick fun project that I got to have fun & share with the family. Many thanks go out to the Red Bull folks for helping to inspire so many with such a wonderful contest. I’m already looking forward to next year’s Bullduino!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mfR8UgrHZVI/UPWiEb3raZI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/dWW4SXB-Z-c/s1600-h/IMG_0322%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0322" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0322" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_9cpUu0Hz34/UPWiFel0FxI/AAAAAAAAA9g/pu_lNQF6U1M/IMG_0322_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="381"></a></p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-63166500467711736532012-06-28T00:29:00.001-05:002012-06-28T00:29:48.547-05:00Bullduino Unboxing<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JfhGxVuP_i8/T-vrsY83emI/AAAAAAAAAV8/q-toYHqAGAc/s1600-h/RedBullCreation%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="RedBullCreation" border="0" alt="RedBullCreation" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2wI2ZTtjUUM/T-vrslBBy_I/AAAAAAAAAWE/bz3O2Pbx_ms/RedBullCreation_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="107"></a>Four days ago I learned of the <a href="http://creation.redbullusa.com/" target="_blank">Red Bull Creation</a> contest. I thought “Cool. It’s great to see caffeine pushers out inspiring minds to be creative!”. </p> <p>Then I went to <a href="http://creation.redbullusa.com" target="_blank">their website</a>. It was immediately clear that these guys mean business and they have some serious talent working on their behalf. The retro OS site is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen on the web. Have you ever been to a web site that has a command line shell for navigation???</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kY8XqBs_DuQ/T-vrtCVLPqI/AAAAAAAAAWM/oarYxKw8zeQ/s1600-h/shell%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="shell" border="0" alt="shell" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2FyTCVewQl4/T-vrtlPpT0I/AAAAAAAAAWU/c0VjTyVMDvI/shell_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="189" height="76"></a>If you fill out the application and they pick you as a contestant then you get a really cool Red Bull custom Arduino microcontroller board. So, I filled out the application without really thinking what I would build.</p> <p>Yesterday, I received an email saying that they were sending me a Bullduino and I had until July 3rd to build something and submit a video! That’s seven days to come up with an idea, build something, and then create a two minute video. Two of those days are on a weekend. I’ve spent that much time just putting together the video for other contests. </p> <p>My first thoughts were that the board wouldn’t even arrive in time to even start building. Forget having time to order parts. Then it occurred to me that this is all part of the plan. In the final round, the top entries that are submitted will have Red Bull camera crews come to their house/shop/hackerspace to film them for 72 hours as they build their final entry. This is not a contest where you have three months to polish something off. This is a contest of off the cuff ingenuity. Love it. </p> <p> <p>So, it would seem that this first round has the same theme – think fast and build something great using only the parts you have lying around or can round up quick. This wasn’t really in my schedule for the weekend before Independence Day but maybe a light bulb will go off and I’ll come up with an idea that I can do quickly.</p> <p>To my amazement, the board was shipped overnight and arrived today! Maybe there is hope that I can salvage a project out of it. The packaging of the board and the board design continued the high quality precedent set by the website. I’m starting to get a little excited about this now.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JbXfK9A6Vec/T-vruG0H9_I/AAAAAAAAAWc/NVubt_Knrvg/s1600-h/2012-06-27%25252022.11.41%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-27 22.11.41" border="0" alt="2012-06-27 22.11.41" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_oNCq7UK7uk/T-vruoO0EeI/AAAAAAAAAWk/a57ug0-r1Nk/2012-06-27%25252022.11.41_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="156"></a>Inside a FedEx overnight envelope was a thin brown box with the wise words of Yoda laser etched into the brown cardboard cover – “TRY NOT. DO, OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY.” I’ll be framing that for my office :)</p></p> <p>Awesome! Getting a little more excited. The cover is held on with some weak double-sided tape to reveal the Bullduino that hides inside.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--tHyAgJ0ULM/T-vrvMWB9SI/AAAAAAAAAWs/RTkJ-H6CACc/s1600-h/2012-06-27%25252022.10.58%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-27 22.10.58" border="0" alt="2012-06-27 22.10.58" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ed-xPPvWlOQ/T-vrvslnqgI/AAAAAAAAAW0/xmOLwY933ZI/2012-06-27%25252022.10.58_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="158"></a></p> <p>How cool is that? Immediately, I’m thinking “Battarang?” Down boy…we only have six days left. Hmmm…</p> <p>The case is a four-layer (plus the top) laser cut corrugated cardboard sandwich that’s taped on the edges. Nice and simple yet very elegant. </p> <p>Taking out the board, reveals yet another surprise. Underneath the PCB, on the bottom of the box, is laser etched “YOU’LL NEED THIS TOO: <a href="http://goo.gl/eB7on" target="_blank">goo.gl/eB7on</a>”. Following the URL leads to a download for the Bullduino.inf driver file.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oWkwus-_bzo/T-vrv03WsFI/AAAAAAAAAW8/_kWfZA_LIVI/s1600-h/2012-06-27%25252022.09.07%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-27 22.09.07" border="0" alt="2012-06-27 22.09.07" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VFfIJ8KiOBk/T-vrwd-zkmI/AAAAAAAAAXE/2dovtDwTOq8/2012-06-27%25252022.09.07_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="157"></a>At this point, I just had to plug the board into a USB cable and install the driver. Once it was plugged in, two green LEDs illuminated. The top one started flashing a pattern that repeated after 10 seconds or so. I realized this must be a Morse code message.</p> <p>Despite over 15 years in Boy Scouting, I’ve never learned to read Morse code. So, I made a video so I could slow it down.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 448px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5c91757d-e062-4642-a5ec-cc78cedf8e95" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="14a76f4c-2146-43a1-9ee8-0161efb0cf59" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHhOjwihe7o&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nrMwjPj8-9w/T-vrwkJP_BI/AAAAAAAAAXM/ml9DxAcaqTI/videoa0e39ae5b078%25255B42%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('14a76f4c-2146-43a1-9ee8-0161efb0cf59'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/QHhOjwihe7o?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/QHhOjwihe7o?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>Even by slowing the video down to 1/8th speed it proved to be a challenge for me. After play/pause/rewind… for about 20 minutes, it then occurred to me that someone has probably already figured this out since I was so late to receive my board. Sure enough…the folks over at the Harford Hackerspace already <a href="http://baltimorehackerspace.com/2012/06/another-redbull-mystery/" target="_blank">cracked the code</a> and determined that it says “‘Wouldn’t lou prefer a good game of chess?” They speculate that the “lou” may be a clue to something else hidden in the board.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yFFFpw1L81I/T-vrxC-KROI/AAAAAAAAAXU/aj6_Gj3Fyas/s1600-h/2012-06-27%25252022.09.39%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-27 22.09.39" border="0" alt="2012-06-27 22.09.39" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AjuRB89pBzM/T-vrx5JpujI/AAAAAAAAAXc/_cDys-erNsU/2012-06-27%25252022.09.39_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="159"></a>Back to the board…well, actually the backside of the board. The main processor is a ATMEGA328<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8FzK5Nwj4ac/T-vryRyVYkI/AAAAAAAAAXk/PpfozeyLPe8/s1600-h/2012-06-27%25252022.10.20%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-06-27 22.10.20" border="0" alt="2012-06-27 22.10.20" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aFBgm-sNHpg/T-vryyV6XDI/AAAAAAAAAXs/5TR70fsqk6Q/2012-06-27%25252022.10.20_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>. Of course, it has an Arduino pin form factor. A few things immediately jumped out at me as unusual. First are the three sets of pads in the middle of the board labeled “CONN5”, “CONN6”, and “CONN7”. At first glance, I’m not sure what these are for. They certainly aren’t standard on any Arduino I’ve seen.</p> <p>Secondly, in the top left corner is a little yellow round part. It is the reset button. They definitely decided this would be a good place to save a few bucks. It takes a little more effort to get a good press on it than it does a normal momentary switch used on most Arduino boards.</p> <p>That’s all for now. Now to figure out what to do with it! Let the fun begin!</p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-22556340741179149052012-05-14T21:53:00.001-05:002012-05-14T21:53:36.030-05:00Love Letter to Plywood<p>by Tom Sachs</p> <p>Some well illustrated tips for beginners. I love the production.</p><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NZU1B8kb8EQ" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592067536865302845.post-81732901371673753092012-04-21T17:48:00.001-05:002012-04-21T17:48:41.303-05:00I made the team! - The Make: Beta Team<p><a href="http://blog.makezine.com/2012/03/15/make-beta-team-join-us/" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; display: inline; float: right" title="Make: Beta Team (electroskull)" alt="" align="right" src="http://makezineblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/skull-head.png" width="300" height="110"></a>I woke up this morning to a great surprise. I received a letter from <a href="http://makezine.com/magazine/" target="_blank">Make: magazine</a> informing me that I’d been selected as one of the members of their new beta team. </p> <p> <p>I’m honored and excited to be a member of this team of about 100 members worldwide that will have the privilege of building projects for the magazine before the articles are published as a way of beta testing the build instructions. </p> <p>Make: decided to start this team back in March and I thought it sounded very much in-line with what I do in my spare time anyway so I filled out <a href="http://blog.makezine.com/2012/03/15/make-beta-team-join-us/" target="_blank">the application</a>. Apparently, so did about 1100 other folks. So, I feel very lucky to have been chosen.</p> <p><a href="http://makezine.com/magazine/" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; display: inline; float: left" border="0" alt="Make: Volume 29 Cover Image" align="left" src="http://makezine.com/images/covers/29.gif" width="145"></a>What does this mean? Well, I don’t fully know yet. What I do know is that I’ll randomly be delivered a project and all it’s parts & pieces and asked to build it and discover if the instructions need to be improved and report back. We get to keep all the projects and part of our job is to show them off to friends & family and get input back.</p> <p>We’re allowed to blog about our experiences building the projects. So, be looking to hear all about it here and I’ll be looking for feedback from you. It’s not clear to me yet whether we can blog while we’re testing or after the magazine has been published. So, check back every day just in case ;)</p> <p>Make: can be considered the handbook of the Maker Movement. If you’re not familiar with this movement, there’s a good overview of it <a href="http://www.raisinggeeks.com/blog/maker-movement/" target="_blank">here</a>. I’ve been a Maker all of my life. In the past we’ve been called tinkerers, hackers, warranty voiders, nerds, geeks…. I like this new name and the positive movement that it has created. </p> <p>Get up and go make something!</p></p> ianlee74http://www.blogger.com/profile/09388336837189011304noreply@blogger.com2