PCBWay reached out to sponsor a project, so I proposed a modular round display of addressable LEDs. I want to design a quarter-round shape for flexibility. I created a schematic with 100 LEDs, referencing the datasheet recommending a 100μF capacitor for sudden current draw. Additionally, I included header pins for input and output.
I arranged the lights into curved rows by drawing an arc and a protractor to paste an LED-capacitor combo where the lines intersected. I fit 98 LEDs into the quarter-round outline.
I ran the auto-route routine to create traces, but it could not finish. I was shocked because the circuit was so simple, but my mistake was that I accidentally made all the data lines parallel instead of in series.
After I copied and pasted the LED circuits, they were unusable, so I used circles to mark their positions and meticulously placed updated versions in order. After rotating the LEDs to align the power terminals and data connections, the routing program finally completed, though I still had to add many traces on the backside manually. I need to change the capacitors to a larger version that will not cost as much to install.
I wanted to order a bunch of boards and pay for them to be fully populated with LEDs and capacitors, but they were more expensive than I wanted. I compromised by ordering an unpopulated board, and I will hand-solder some LEDs to confirm the circuit and pay for the fully assembled if the circuit is sound. I made some light channel boards with holes where I placed the LEDs, but no components. I will stack them to create tunnels where the light can diffuse before exiting, improving their appearance.
Dan Price joined Sarah and me to talk about Tombstone, the 1993 western movie, and his upcoming comic, Bigfoot Knows Karate, chapter 3. I enjoyed Bigfoot and Tombstone for different reasons. Tombstone was a dude flick from the early to mid-nineties, and it showed, but it was still a fun movie.
The rest of the summary posts have been arranged by date.
First time here?
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 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on 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.
 |
| REV1 schematic |
I arranged the lights into curved rows by drawing an arc and a protractor to paste an LED-capacitor combo where the lines intersected. I fit 98 LEDs into the quarter-round outline.
 |
| 98-LED array |
I ran the auto-route routine to create traces, but it could not finish. I was shocked because the circuit was so simple, but my mistake was that I accidentally made all the data lines parallel instead of in series.
 |
| Highlighting the parallel connections points |
After I copied and pasted the LED circuits, they were unusable, so I used circles to mark their positions and meticulously placed updated versions in order. After rotating the LEDs to align the power terminals and data connections, the routing program finally completed, though I still had to add many traces on the backside manually. I need to change the capacitors to a larger version that will not cost as much to install.
 |
| Rotated, routed, and rounded |
I wanted to order a bunch of boards and pay for them to be fully populated with LEDs and capacitors, but they were more expensive than I wanted. I compromised by ordering an unpopulated board, and I will hand-solder some LEDs to confirm the circuit and pay for the fully assembled if the circuit is sound. I made some light channel boards with holes where I placed the LEDs, but no components. I will stack them to create tunnels where the light can diffuse before exiting, improving their appearance.
 |
| Light channel plate |
Dan Price joined Sarah and me to talk about Tombstone, the 1993 western movie, and his upcoming comic, Bigfoot Knows Karate, chapter 3. I enjoyed Bigfoot and Tombstone for different reasons. Tombstone was a dude flick from the early to mid-nineties, and it showed, but it was still a fun movie.
Critical Affection: Tombstone (60:00)
The rest of the summary posts have been arranged by date.
First time here?
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 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on 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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