The show on digital human rights was an experiment with a different show structure. Instead of scraping the bottom of the well for content exclusive to grinders, Tim and I found something that could affect us all very soon. On top of that change, we also
Brian - Left _____ Tim - Right
Two boards were made last week. Parts were soldered to populate them. An IC socket was installed where the Arduino would go. In the past, female header sockets have been soldered here to receive the Arduino but an IC socket is neater.
Two populated boards
A tiny break in the traces was found but it proved devilishly hard to photograph. It is visible in the full-resolution picture if you click the picture below. These "opens" make testing difficult but they're easy enough to find with a continuity tester.
Click for full-resolution
Testing of the I/O commenced and many things checked out well but not everything. I was worried there was a problem with the circuit even though it had been bread-boarded. One of the transistors was even soldered in backward just to test the possibility there was a problem with orientation. This didn't help.
LEDs testing well
Inputs also tested well and feedback from the switches came when a small break was circumnavigated. The problem, in every case, was the transistor circuits. I had hoped that the problem was the thin traces and the scant transistor footprints.
Testing the inputs by monitoring the serial output
A new layout was created with thicker traces, to avoid breaks and transistor footprints with larger pads.
Despite all the back results while trying to streamline the transfer process, a new method was attempted where the transfer paper was water-logged before peeling it away. By a stroke of luck, it worked marvelously to peel away the limp transfer paper.
Peeling away wet transfer paper
The revised boards were etched and drilled. Previously, a set of industrial shears was used to cut the boards. This time, a razor knife and straight-edge was used to score the line between the boards and they were simply snapped apart. The edges were sanded outdoors.
Scoring the boards to be divided
All the circuits tested perfectly the first time! The only problem was that the transistor silk-screen layer showed the wrong orientation. In other words, the transistor needed to be installed backward of the direction indicated on the circuit board.
Functions testing well
During the redesign, the accelerometer was moved within the limits of the microprocessor to conserve space. This also provided the most clearance for the accelerometer inside the pipe.
Placing the populated board inside the pipe to test clearances
The rest of the weekly summaries have been arranged by date.
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This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
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, are 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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