To share this with a broader audience, I spent a day adding comments to my code. While I was tidying up, I realized how much harder this would be a month from now. I could have added these while I was programming, but I never made time in the breaks. Maybe next time.
Another thing people will want is an enclosure. Carrying the exposed electronics was acceptable for the proof-of-concept phase, but before I can release this to folks for testing, it should be inside something. In addition to protection, a case will help get the battery away from the antenna, which was messing up reception. I drafted the parts from Adafruit drawings so I could get a simple idea of where everything would go, and it's a good thing I did because the idea in my head would have let the battery leads poke out the sides unnecessarily.
Once the layout was ready, I modeled a plate in OpenSCAD, which had seats for all the demo boards and the battery. I added screw holes at the corners where they would be on the PCBs.
The first print had a couple of problems that promptly fixed and produced a second copy that fit the parts snugly and accurately. I purposefully extended the Z-axis in the slicing software to get a thicker bottom and deeper pockets.
I removed the wires when I disassembled the components, and now that they were mounted again, I had to solder new wires. I salvaged the wires from inexpensive test leads because they were more pliable than the Cat5 stuff I used before.
For a lid, I mirrored the bottom to fit like a sandwich with the circuit boards as the fillings. It was a mess trying to find standoffs and bolts to hold everything together. I found out I had some left-hand screws, but otherwise, I only had one threaded option that mated with screws small enough to fit. I'm happy with the result, but it should probably have walls.
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
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.
Concisely commented code
Another thing people will want is an enclosure. Carrying the exposed electronics was acceptable for the proof-of-concept phase, but before I can release this to folks for testing, it should be inside something. In addition to protection, a case will help get the battery away from the antenna, which was messing up reception. I drafted the parts from Adafruit drawings so I could get a simple idea of where everything would go, and it's a good thing I did because the idea in my head would have let the battery leads poke out the sides unnecessarily.
Deft dimensional drafting
Once the layout was ready, I modeled a plate in OpenSCAD, which had seats for all the demo boards and the battery. I added screw holes at the corners where they would be on the PCBs.
Minute modeling mayhem
The first print had a couple of problems that promptly fixed and produced a second copy that fit the parts snugly and accurately. I purposefully extended the Z-axis in the slicing software to get a thicker bottom and deeper pockets.
Printed part placements
I removed the wires when I disassembled the components, and now that they were mounted again, I had to solder new wires. I salvaged the wires from inexpensive test leads because they were more pliable than the Cat5 stuff I used before.
Safely soldered circuits
For a lid, I mirrored the bottom to fit like a sandwich with the circuit boards as the fillings. It was a mess trying to find standoffs and bolts to hold everything together. I found out I had some left-hand screws, but otherwise, I only had one threaded option that mated with screws small enough to fit. I'm happy with the result, but it should probably have walls.
Almost entirely enclosed InCompass
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
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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