Mike made a video on how to speedup SMD assembly. He uses air/vacuum powered tools to for pickup, and placement, as well as for solder paste dispensing. Don’t be put of by thinking of expensive air compressors and vacuum pumps, as he gives some great advice on using inexpensive parts to build your own. Via […]
Author Archives: DP
Microchip getting ready to release long awaited PIC18FX550 replacements
Two new future product pages popped up on Microchip’s site, the PIC18F45K50 and PIC18F25K50. These are pin, and probably register, compatible replacements for PIC18F4550, and PIC18F2550, which are Microchip’s most powerful 5V USB devices. One thing we noticed is that the new PICs have high-precision self tuning oscillators, thus removing the need for crystals in […]
Workshop Update for July 11th, 2012
We sketched a power up test helper to protect new circuits from going poof if there is a short, or other problem. We prepared for tomorrow’s workshop video, and we are preparing a Mouser order of standoffs in various sizes. We also scanned a few new PCBs for the free PCB drawer. We checked mispelled […]
Missing Cadsoft Eagle 6.x libraries for Linux
Mick M. posted the missing Cadsoft Eagle 6.x libraries for Linux: I finally tracked down the libraries to allow installation of the latest version. This will get you out of “dependency-hell” . Hopefully Cadsoft will statically link the next release. They work for me on Fedora 17 and Mint 13. Read the instructions below.
DIY simplified version of the ATX Breakout board
Arup built a ATX Breakout board clone. Recycle an ATX computer power supply into a beefy bench tool that powers your projects. The ATX breakout board routes the -12, 3.3, 5 and 12 volt ATX outputs to screw terminals, each protected by a 1.25 amp resettable polyfuse. Just completed one simplified version of the ATX […]
Jeri Ellsworth C64 bass guitar explained
We talked to Jeri (@6:22) at this years Bay Area Maker Faire about her C64 bass guitar. In this video she goes into the internals of her project. Jeri shows a bass guitar she build from an old C64. It uses the original sound chip (SID 6581) for keytar and string sounds.
16 instrument drum machine using PIC24
Matt designed and built a PIC24 based drum machine. It has samples of 16 different instruments, that can be be stored at 16 different channels, into 16 time positions. The video above demonstrates his project in action. It’s a mini drum machine modelled on classic machines like the Roland TR808. My version is digital, playing […]
Workshop Update for July 10th, 2012
Today we did some software, and server updates, and we confirmed we weren’t effected by the Linux leap second bug. We soldered a few extra Bus Pirate demo board protos. Tomorrow we’ll probably sync the old bug list with the new public tracker, and retire the list. ATX Breakout Board v1.1 Sick of Beige case […]
Logic Sniffer back in stock at Seeed
The Logic Sniffer is back in stock at Seeed Studio. The Open Bench Logic Sniffer is an open source logic analyzer. It’s designed to support the SUMP logic analyzer software at the lowest possible cost. Get a Logic Sniffer for $50, with free worldwide shipping.
PARTS LIBRARY: 85×56 credit card sized standard PCB template
There’s now a 85mm x 56mm credit card sized standard PCB template in our Eagle parts library. Thanks to TonyD for the suggestion. These standard board templates to take the hassle out of pretty edges and consistent mounting hole placement. We’ve been using them for a few months, and quietly lasered a few test cases that […]
#FreePCB via Twitter to 2 random RTs
Every Tuesday we give away two coupons for the free PCB drawer via Twitter. This post was announced on Twitter, and in 24 hours we’ll send coupon codes to two random retweeters. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times a every week: Hate Twitter and Facebook? Free PCB Sunday is the classic PCB giveaway. Catch […]
Compiling the Diolan PIC USB bootloader on OSX Lion
Neb posted instructions on how to compile the Diolan bootloader on OSX Lion. The instructions are also reposted below. In case you are having trouble compiling the Diolan bootloader on OSX Lion, here is a homebrew formula that will make things a little easier for you (I hope!)
Component Organizer source code released
A while back we posted about an app, Component Organizer, that helps you organize datasheets, and app notes connected to various parts you may be interested in. Yesterday Msr let us know that he has released the source code. You can download it at github. He also added a tutorial to help contributors get started. […]
Workshop Update for July 9th, 2012
Today we finished building latest revision, and started testing the secret project firmware. We found a couple of bugs in our latest PCB design. The ‘DIR’ pin of the 74xx245 transceiver was connected to GND instead of being pulled high, and the ‘R/W’ pin of the LCD was left unconnected. We also organized in-progress projects […]
Only 16 ATX Breakout Boards left
Get them while they’re hot. Only 16 ATX Breakout Boards v1.1 are left at Seeed from the initial batch. Another batch is in production. Thanks to everyone for making this project a success. Available for $13.80 at Seeed Studio.
Collage video of Omaha Maker Group projects and activities
Here is a collage video of Omaha Maker Group hackerspace projects and activities. The Omaha Maker Group exists to facilitate a place where people can explore Technology, Science and Art. We operate a community workshop in Omaha, Nebraska and have bi-weekly meetings where people can collaborate, share resources, create, and learn together. We are Omaha’s […]
Linux full screen problems solved with MPLAB X version 1.3
Microchip released the version 1.3 of their MPLAB X IDE, and it seems the full screen issue was solved for Linux users, as reported by Arhi. He also reports finding the Integrated Programing Environment installed with MPLAB X, apparently since v1.2. This is a standalone app for programing with PM3, ICD3, PICKIT 3, and Real […]
Using tape as a solder paste stencil
Sjaak shared his experiment using two L-shaped pieces of tape as a solder paste stencil. After he applied the solder paste he separated some of it using a knife. as expected to much paste was applied as the opening was the size of the chip. I expect better result if the opening was the same […]
Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB
We go through a lot of prototype PCBs, and end up with lots of extras that we’ll never use. Every Sunday we give away a few PCBs from one of our past or future projects, or a related prototype. Our PCBs are made through Seeed Studio’s Fusion board service. This week two random commenters will […]
App note: Data conversion, interface, and signal processing circuits
Here is a circuit collection [PDF] covering data conversion, interface, and signal processing: Application Note 67 is a collection of circuits from the first five years of Linear Technology, targeting data conversion, interface and signal processing applications. This Application Note includes circuits such as fast video multiplexers for high speed video, an ultraselective bandpass filter […]