The etching process was successful, but I made several blunders. Some of the traces were too thin, I had to etch all of the copper off the back of the board, and I used insertion-mount components because I thought they would install more easily, but I have to use a hot plate for the microcontroller, so that was wasted effort. Once I repair the broken traces and test the circuit, it will have fulfilled its purpose, and that is acceptable.
I had an idea for a highly portable MIDI controller. It sits on the back of my phone via a MagSafe ring and communicates with the phone via a short USB-C cable. When people ask me about my music projects, the best I can do is show them a video or some pictures, but if I keep this with me, I can demonstrate my circuit-making and programming skills.
I drew a schematic with EasyEDA, but I excluded the addressable LEDs since the first version will use a manufactured light bar. The majority of inputs were dedicated to the encoder pins, which were distributed across six encoders. I will also include a MIDI output in a 3.5mm headphone socket.
I arranged a PCB layout for the REV00. The MIDI port was a couple of pads with screw holes so I can mount a headphone socket in a 3D-printed box. The demo board will be two rows of header pins so I can unplug it later. I did not route the traces because I realized that the resistors will be a problem if I want to make a single-sided board at home, so I need to deliberate on my next step.
I discarded the PCB idea for REV00 in favor of a 3D-printed case and I can mount everything to the face. I will disregard the pull-up resistors for this version in favor of the microcontroller's built-in resistors. The demo board will sit on a printed shelf inside.
I updated my draft to use a prototyping circuit board to hold the microcontroller instead of a clumsy printed shelf, but that made the board longer. I moved the MIDI port so a cord would not interfere with the encoders. The case was a simple empty enclosure with bolt holes in the corner. I already have notes on improving the faceplate, but I printed a thin test copy to confirm my measurements were accurate.
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
Completed projects from year 12
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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| Needs work, but it is workable |
I had an idea for a highly portable MIDI controller. It sits on the back of my phone via a MagSafe ring and communicates with the phone via a short USB-C cable. When people ask me about my music projects, the best I can do is show them a video or some pictures, but if I keep this with me, I can demonstrate my circuit-making and programming skills.
 |
| EWC_Mobile sketch and circuit |
I drew a schematic with EasyEDA, but I excluded the addressable LEDs since the first version will use a manufactured light bar. The majority of inputs were dedicated to the encoder pins, which were distributed across six encoders. I will also include a MIDI output in a 3.5mm headphone socket.
 |
| EWC_Mobile schematic |
I arranged a PCB layout for the REV00. The MIDI port was a couple of pads with screw holes so I can mount a headphone socket in a 3D-printed box. The demo board will be two rows of header pins so I can unplug it later. I did not route the traces because I realized that the resistors will be a problem if I want to make a single-sided board at home, so I need to deliberate on my next step.
 |
| PCB layout without traces |
I discarded the PCB idea for REV00 in favor of a 3D-printed case and I can mount everything to the face. I will disregard the pull-up resistors for this version in favor of the microcontroller's built-in resistors. The demo board will sit on a printed shelf inside.
 |
| Faceplate ready for an enclosure |
I updated my draft to use a prototyping circuit board to hold the microcontroller instead of a clumsy printed shelf, but that made the board longer. I moved the MIDI port so a cord would not interfere with the encoders. The case was a simple empty enclosure with bolt holes in the corner. I already have notes on improving the faceplate, but I printed a thin test copy to confirm my measurements were accurate.
 |
| Enclosure using the CAD layout |
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
Completed projects from year 12
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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