HackEDA made this bluetooth robot with a pcb designed by HackEDA’s software algorithm: The pcb in this robot was designed with automated software written by HackEDA. Controlled by an Android tablet over Bluetooth. Check out the video after the break.
Tag Archives: pcb
FT311D breakout PCB build
Sjaak posted his FT311D breakout PCB build: Quiet some time ago I got a FT311D PCB from Ian. Finaly found some time to build it up and write about it. I tried it on 3 devices, each with its own quirks…
Low cost PCB through-hole plating
Ricardo Trombetta shared a tutorial on how to plate the holes using copper hypophosphite pyrolysis to activate the holes: This video shows how to activate a PCB holes surfaces before electroplating. The holes are activated using a low cost copper hypophosphite based solution and the electroplating is made using an acid bath that is copper […]
Review of Smart-Prototyping PCB service
SnAgCu has a detailed review of the Smart-Prototyping PCB service we covered previously. High magnification images are included to show just how the boards turned out. Via the contact form.
Quadcopter in a 5x5cm PCB update
Erdabyz posted an update to his Quadcopter in a 5x5cm PCB we covered previously: For now, Invensense’s MotionApps firmware has been succesfully ported to PIC32, and we have the MPU6050’s DMP outputting a quaternion at 200Hz and the output looks perfectly valid. Some freescale code for the barometer/altimeter has also been ported but it’s still […]
DIY laser cutter for PCB stencils
HardwareBreakout shared a tutorial on how to make your own laser cutter for cutting PCB stencils: Are you sick and tired of using a tooth pick to apply solder paste? Are you still using through hole components because you don’t want to deal with soldering surface mount devices (SMD)? If so, this post provides you […]
Project-a-week: RickPAW Betty crocker Arduino
This week Rwinscot shared his Betty crocker Arduino in the project log forum: I’d love to get into Arduino… but I don’t know how to solder. Which got me thinking about using through-hole sockets on a PCB. As the title of this post… a Betty Crocker Arduino. Add your through-hole components, mix, and bake your ideas. […]
Screen printing PCB manufacturing
Screen printing PCB manufacturing: Here is an example of Screen Printing PCB Manufacturing. It is very time consuming but your PCB factory could make screen printed t-shirts on the weekends. :) It looks like they are setup for medium volume but it looks very time consuming compared to modern PCB manufacturing. Via Hacked Gadgets!
HackEDA: Build your own custom circuit board
Would you like a pcb of your HackEDA generated design made for you (for free)? … I’m testing something out, and I need sample designs. If you’re willing to assemble the board yourself and give me feedback on how it went, I’ll lay your design out, route it, have it made and send it to […]
DP6037 Protoboard v1 PCB back in stock
The DP6037 Protoboard v1 PCB is back in stock at Seeed Studio. A multipurpose 0.1″ pitch prototyping board that fits a DP6037 acrylic case. Grab a PCB from Seeed for $2.50.
Quadcopter in a 5x5cm PCB
Erdabyz has been working on a quadcopter to fit in a 5x5cm PCB: This is something I’ve been working on these days. The other day I was thinking about what would be the coolest possible thing you could fit in a 50x50mm 2 sides PCB. How about a quadcopter? Via the forum.
Another cheap PCB fab house
Mats stumbled upon another cheap PCB fab house. The pricing and PCB limitations are comparable with Seeed and Itead. With each PCB order they offer a solder past stencil for an extra $25. We also noticed that they offer part sourcing, and PCB assembly services even in low quantities. Via the forum.
Hacked footprint on a USB flash drive
A few weeks ago Mats used a hacked footprint, where he removed the unused pins to help him route a board. Here’s a commercial USB flash drive that uses the same method. Few of the pins on the memory chip were removed, and traces are run under them. Via the forum.
How to make PCBs on thermal tape
Here’s an interesting method for designing PCBs that you’d like to mount on heatsinks. This tutorial explains how to make your PCB using thermal tape as the copper substrate. A thin piece of copper is mounted onto thermal tape, then just use whatever etching process you prefer. Via Electronics Lab.
Seeed sends $10 Fusion PCB service coupons with every PCB order
Seeed Studios is currently (17.1.2013-20.1.2013) running a promotion where you get a $10 Fusion PCB service coupon with every PCB order. This is a push to promote the recent changes made to the ordering process. The service is now made through an automated online ordering process. You just upload your files, chose the specs and […]
DIY solderpaste stencil etching
Here’s how to etch a solderpaste stencil. The process is similar to the UV photo etching method used for DIY PCBs. This is all well and good, but commercial stencils are expensive, and are massive overkill for prototype boards. Here is a method for producing a “good-enough” stencil using aluminium sheet via a method similar […]
What happens when a V-groove hits your copper pour
Panelizing multiple PCBs onto a single panel is a cost effective way of prototyping. V-groves are usually used to separate the different PCBs, making it easy to snap them off. The picture above depicts what happens when the V-grove hits a copper pour such as a ground plane. Anyway, back to the topic. You usually […]
Multi-processor test board for open source USB stack development
An open source USB stack for PIC microcontrollers has evolved in the forum over the last year. It supports a number of USB-enabled PICs, and a good developer would test each chip before each release. We’ve been crowd sourcing that testing in the forum, but now prolific forum member Mats is designing a PCB so […]
Silkscreen PCBs with vinyl stickers and toner transfer
Make DIY silkscreens using vinyl stickers, similar to making PCBs with toner transfer methods: Below I am going to detail the process of making the silkscreen, which is the side of the printed circuit board where we solder the electrical components. We will use the same method, vinyl sticker pcb.
Stovetop toner transfer tutorial
One of the most common techniques in DIY PCB etching is the toner transfer method. Tom added a twist to the standard method by adding the use of a stovetop in the toner transfer process. He wrote a tutorial describing in depth how you could recreate his results. I have been trying out a new […]