19 JUNE 2013
Now we are doing a lot more work with static sensitive devices we decided it was time to update our workbench with an ESD antistatic mat and wrist straps to try to ground any static electric build-up before it can damage...
10 JUNE 2013
I have now finished working on the mobile app for the Raspberry Pi controlled central heating controller. This is following from the www.briandorey.com/post/XBee-Central-Heating-Control-via-Raspberry-Pi blog post which detailed...
18 MAY 2013
After struggling for some time using homemade stencil holders and bits of tape to hold the stencils down we decided to buy a commercial stencil holder. Most seemed to be around the £2000 mark and only take large framed...
05 MAY 2013
A few weeks ago I ordered a pair of “20W 1600Lm LED Garden Outdoor FloodLight 85-265V Pure White Wall WashLights” at £35 each to replace the pair of 150W halogen outdoor lights in the back garden. The seller...
14 APRIL 2013
Following from the Arduino pick and place update blog post video and Automatic component feeders post we have now completed the first version of the Android tablet control software which uses bluetooth to communincate...
01 APRIL 2013
Below is a photo overview of how we make our own PCB’s using a UV box and developing the boards.
Disclaimer: Wear appropriate safety equipment when handling chemicals and when using UV boxes and lights. Don’t...
27 FEBRUARY 2013
The basic Chinese Vacuum Pickup pump we have been using on the DIY pick and place machine has been giving us problems with its lack of suction when handling larger SOIC components and didn’t hold them still when moving...
27 FEBRUARY 2013
Following from the Automatic component feeders DIY pick and place Part 1 post we have now redesigned the Y axis which pushes the activation arms on the Panasonic component feeders to use a new leadscrew from Reliance...
10 FEBRUARY 2013
Since upgrading our solar charge controller to a MPPT model we lost the facility for the charge controller to shut down the inverter when the battery voltage dropped too low. This resulted in a few days when the battery voltage...
01 DECEMBER 2012
Following from the Panasonic component feeder mods and the build of our manual pick and place machine (pick and place part 1 & pick and place part 2) we have started to build an automatic stepper motor driven controller...