As we picked up some experience with Eagle, we figured out that clicking icons and typing in commands slows down productivity. Eagle’s key-binding features make it faster to do common tasks by pressing a few keys, but for a real kick they can also run scripts. We use a hot-key to run our project export […]
Tag Archives: how-to
Another Eagle 6.xx library fix for Linux users
A link to this guide was left on yesterday’s post about fixing library issues on Eagle 6.xx Linux versions. The difference to yesterday’s guide is that this one provides links to all the missing files, instead of having them packaged in one archive.
Tips on speeding up SMD part placement
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 […]
HOW-TO: Crude ways of making plated slots in Eagle
As far as we know Eagle doesn’t offer an option for making plated slots. Here are two hacks we found on the subject. Check out our previous tutorial on building footprints in Eagle. You can also skim through our Cadsoft_Eagle other tutorials on the wiki.
HOW-TO: Create Eagle parts with pins that have the same name
Most chips have multiple power pins that need to be connected to the same power supply, but Eagle doesn’t allow you to give 2 different pins the same name. This short tutorial shows how to get around this and name multiple part pins the same thing. Keep reading below, see our other Eagle tutorials here.
HOW-TO: Visit Bay Area Maker Faire
We are off to the Bay Area Maker Faire, and we’d like to share some of the tips we picked up on our previous visit there. Below are our tips for both visitors, and participants. If you are in the area be sure to drop by.
Using servos with PIC16F microcontrollers
Raj wrote a tutorial on how-to implement servo control on PIC16F microcontrollers. The article starts off with some servo theory, and is followed with an open source practical example. A servo motor is a special geared DC motor equipped with an electronic circuit for controlling the direction of rotation, as well as the position, of […]
HOW-TO: Make parts in Cadsoft Eagle
Eagle’s popularity is partly due to the sheer number of parts and footprint libraries available for it. Sometimes you can’t find the part you need in an existing library though, and it’s time to make your own. Making a new part in Cadsoft Eagle can be intimidating for new users, but the guide below shows […]
How (not) to sell PCBs: PCB drawer first year sales breakdown
A while back we started selling Bus Pirate v3.5a-SOIC “DIY Edition” PCBs from the free PCB drawer for $3.95. Our informal survey and found that $5, including shipping, is a sweet spot for one board. So we hacked Zen Cart to accept PayPal for only one item, and started taking orders. With shipping, two boards […]
Converting an Inkjet printer to print PCBs
There are many ways to built a DIY PCB. Some of the more popular ones are the toner transfer method, and the UV exposure of PCBs. Both methods require lots of trial and error. Here is another way to go around building you PCBs. Pourcirup posted a tutorial on how to convert an old ink-jet […]
What are the topics you need to know to master microcontrollers?
Chuckt asked what goals important to master microcontrollers. There’s been some good suggestions so far, which are consolidated on the wiki: Basic Pins/port/direction (LED flashing) PWM (LED intensity) Advanced UART communication (when and how to use max232 chip) SPI communication I2C communication CAN communication Interrupts (pin – detect button press, UART – communication) Hardware timers Interfacing an […]
How a PCB is made
Here’s how a PCB is made: Last year around mid-November Eric and I (Base2’s owners) were in the Denver area and were fortunate enough to be able to visit the circuit board manufacturer that we frequently use – Advanced Circuits. They were kind enough to give us a tour of their facility and explain the […]
Bus Pirate firmware update made easy
Simon explained in detail on how to update the Bus Pìrate from firmware v3 to v5 easily. Get your own handy Bus Pirate for $30, including world-wide shipping. Also available from our friendly distributors Adafruit, Open Source Control Systems, and eHaJo.
Program PICs using Linux
Hack a Day has a how-to on programming PICs under Linux with the open source SDCC compiler.
AVR Programming at Hack a Day
Don’t miss Mike’s tutorials on AVR microcontrollers at Hack a Day. Part 1: introduction Part 2: the hardware More to come.
Bus Pirate OpenOCD JTAG how-to
Michal Demin posted a tutorial for the OpenOCD JTAG debugging support he added to the Bus Pirate. Some time ago, I have added support to OpenOCD to be able to use Buspirate as JTAG interface. This how-to will show you, how to setup all the things necessary. Things you will need: – Buspirate – Computer […]