Getting the shape of the board, standard screw holes, and length took a great deal of time, but it carried over to the rest of the boards. This step wasn’t over until I felt comfortable the layout would last. A few of the keyswitch board layouts were created in EDA using the layout.
Once some keyswitch holders were designed, a few more boards were designed which were not intended to hold regular keyswitches. One example was a PCB meant to bring the power and data lines out to different connectors so anyone could make remotes far from the base unit. Another PCB was a breakout board which could have many PCB-mountable switches or buttons connected.
While the first generation of boards were being ordered and shipped, IO expander chips were ordered for testing. The first test was an IO expander module meant for an ecosystem of electronics for rapid prototyping. A good deal of work went into interfacing with this chip. The address pins were predefined which eliminated the need for making those connections but the reset pen was left floating and that caused problems when trying to make a stable connection. Ultimately, the cost of the board was justified.
After successfully connecting to a module, it was time to connect with a stock chip. For this purpose, a DIP package of the chip was ordered although the keyboard project will focus on the small surface-mount version of the chip. Communication was established with the DIP chip.
NASA made two firsts when they named a solar probe after a living person. NASA has never sent a probe to study the sun and they have never named a spacecraft after a living person. In addition, they are sending up a storage chip with the names of anyone who wishes to have their name thrown into the sun. It is clearly a publicity stunt and one which I happily got aboard. My name is going to the sun, and at the time I wrote this, there is still time for more people to put their names on the list.
The rest of the weekly summaries have been arranged by date.
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
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This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
First of keyswitch holder boards
Once some keyswitch holders were designed, a few more boards were designed which were not intended to hold regular keyswitches. One example was a PCB meant to bring the power and data lines out to different connectors so anyone could make remotes far from the base unit. Another PCB was a breakout board which could have many PCB-mountable switches or buttons connected.
Protoboard, not meant to hold keyswitches
While the first generation of boards were being ordered and shipped, IO expander chips were ordered for testing. The first test was an IO expander module meant for an ecosystem of electronics for rapid prototyping. A good deal of work went into interfacing with this chip. The address pins were predefined which eliminated the need for making those connections but the reset pen was left floating and that caused problems when trying to make a stable connection. Ultimately, the cost of the board was justified.
Connections to MCP23017 module board
After successfully connecting to a module, it was time to connect with a stock chip. For this purpose, a DIP package of the chip was ordered although the keyboard project will focus on the small surface-mount version of the chip. Communication was established with the DIP chip.
Connecting to a bare MCP23017 DIP chip
NASA made two firsts when they named a solar probe after a living person. NASA has never sent a probe to study the sun and they have never named a spacecraft after a living person. In addition, they are sending up a storage chip with the names of anyone who wishes to have their name thrown into the sun. It is clearly a publicity stunt and one which I happily got aboard. My name is going to the sun, and at the time I wrote this, there is still time for more people to put their names on the list.
Screenshot of Hackaday article
The rest of the weekly summaries have been arranged by date.
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
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