Anybody Interested in Arduino Stuff?

General Discussion
#1

I want to show folks one set of methods for enclosing their microcontroller projects with home- grown solutions. Here I show you four methods for enclosing your microcontroller projects using home- grown solutions.
Arduino with LCD enclosure Methods, Simple and Cheap #222

Also, you can check out my Arduino Projects youtube playlist at:

Pete Stanaitis

11 Likes
#2

Neat! any reason why you aren’t soldering your projects together or was that just for demostration to keep it easy?

4 Likes
#3

hello Pete

i wrote a function for that little OLED display in order to display big numbers that could be read from distance, it can display an unsigned number, formed from “#” characters.
maybe you will find it useful ))

usage: disp_1k (unsigned int 0…999)

note: it works with old 1.0.0 version of ACROBOTIC library that has 8x8 pixel characters only.

#include <ACROBOTIC_SSD1306.h> // version 1.0.0
#include <Wire.h>

void dispBig (unsigned char cprs, unsigned char pos) {

 const static unsigned char 
      Mtx4x8[40] = {0b01111110,0b10001001,0b10010001,0b01111110,
                           0b00000000,0b10000001,0b11111111,0b00000001,
                           0b01000111,0b10001001,0b10010001,0b01100001,
                           0b01000010,0b10010001,0b10010001,0b01101110,
                           0b00011000,0b00101000,0b01001000,0b11111111,
                           0b11110010,0b10010001,0b10010001,0b10001110,
                           0b01111110,0b10010001,0b10010001,0b01001110,
                           0b10000000,0b10000000,0b10000000,0b11111111,
                           0b01101110,0b10010001,0b10010001,0b01101110,
                           0b01110010,0b10001001,0b10001001,0b01111110};

      
      
      for (char x=0; x<=3; x++){
           
            for(char y = 0; y <= 7 ; y++){
              oled.setTextXY (7 - y, x + pos * 5);
              oled.putChar (35 * ((Mtx4x8[x + (cprs * 4)] >> y) & 1));
            }
          }

}

void disp_1k (unsigned int ntodisp) {
if (ntodisp > 999) ntodisp = 999;

unsigned int tVal = ntodisp / 100;
dispBig (tVal,0);
ntodisp -= tVal * 100;

tVal = ntodisp / 10;
dispBig(tVal,1);
ntodisp -= tVal * 10;

dispBig (ntodisp,2);

}

3 Likes
#4

Why no solder?:
Many of my projects are made for answering a specific question and not needed after I get the answer.
And-- for me, at least, when I get the first “answer”, it often begs another question. Using the solderless breadboard approach makes it easier to tweek the circuit. Once I am done, I document it, and put it away in a labelled container. The next time I have a need, I pick out the old project that most closely fits and rework it.
I do have many projects where I use pc boards and solder, some of my own design, as part of a larger device.
FWIW, I did put up an article on various methods of wiring stuff like this up:
spaco.org/Computing/Wiring%20up%20electronic%20components%20DetailWPix2.doc

8 Likes
#5

Thanks for all the ideas, Pete!

1 Like
#6

that makes sense. I thought there was a reason. :slight_smile:

For me usually about 10 more questions and sometimes before I even get the answer. :slight_smile:

I read it. :slight_smile: Just a few notes.
KiCad is free electronic CAD design software. There are a couple of others as well.
KiCad also integrates the ability to use LTSpice and ltspice is a electric circuit simulator.
KiCAD is now sponsored so development and especially documentation have been improving.

The plated perfboards, you can run a wire, for the solder to follow, but you can also just use a bunch of solder to tie adjoining holes together which makes it easier. but some solder isn’t cheap either. :slight_smile:

For manufacturing, you can use get a sheet of copper clad pcb, and instead of etching, you can use a cnc router, which is used in a number of custom board designers for prototyping before they send the board out to be manufactured.

I don’t know if anyone has tried but there is an off chance DTF (direct to film) printing works. I just saw a video on it for making designs to transfer to t-shirt or other fabric. you use an inkjet to print on a film, then apply transfer powder to it while it is still wet. The transfer powder is polyurethane and polyurethane sticks to copper. It uses a heat press but those are essentially 3d printing heated beds with a top to apply pressure. I assume it is resistant to the etching solution.

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#7

I begun my Arduino adventure few weeks ago. My first project is to build extender for my invertor welder providing TIG enhanced features - HF start and gas flow management and control. So far, I am able to manage gas valve by torch button and monitor gas flow. Everything is in phase of try and fail :nerd_face:

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#8

When you have that project finished I would love to see how it works. It sounds like something I should do to my welder.

I’ve just ordered some arduino boards. My first project I think will be to make Matt’s electric auto mixer. Maybe even use it to control my remote “pyrostarter” for lighting the gasifier.

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#9

So far the biggest trouble is the HF generator. I hoped to obtain one from Aliexpress, but it did not produced even tinniest spark at all. I tried few other designs using high voltage transformer from that kit but failed again. Now I have enough parts to be able to build one 100% same according to tested schema.

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