Just like the garage computer explosion of the 70’s through the 80’s, which brought us such things as Apple, pong, Bill Gate’s hair, and the proliferation of personal computers, the maker movement is the new garage hardware explosion. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement.
Enthusiasts who want to build the products they want, from shortwave radios to personal computers, and to tweak products they’ve bought to make them even better, have long been a part of the electronics industry. By all measures, garage-style innovation remains alive and well today, as “makers” as they are called continue to turn out contemporary gadgets, including 3D printers, drones, and embedded electronics devices.
Making is about individual Do-It-Yourselfers being able to design and create with tools that were, as of a decade or two ago, only available to large, cash-rich corporations: CAD tools, CNC mills, 3D printers, low-quantity PCB manufacturing, open hardware such as Arduinos and similar inexpensive development boards – all items that have made it easier and relatively cheap to make whatever we imagine. For individuals, maker tools can change how someone views their home or their hobbies. The world is ours to make. Humans are genetically wired to be makers. The maker movement is simply the result of making powerful building and communication tools accessible to the masses. There are plenty of projects from makers that show good engineering: Take this Arduino board with tremendous potential, developed by a young maker, as example.
The maker movement is a catalyst to democratize entrepreneurship as these do-it-yourself electronics are proving to be hot sellers: In the past year, unit sales for 3D printing related products; Arduino units, parts and supplies; Raspberry Pi boards; drones and quadcopters; and robotics goods are all on a growth curve in terms of eBay sales. There are many Kickstarter maker projects going on. The Pebble E-Paper Watch raises $10 million. The LIFX smartphone-controlled LED bulb raises $1.3 million. What do these products have in common? They both secured funding through Kickstarter, a crowd-funding website that is changing the game for entrepreneurs. Both products were created by makers who seek to commercialize their inventions. These “startup makers” iterate on prototypes with high-end tools at professional makerspaces.
For companies to remain competitive, they need to embrace the maker movement or leave themselves open for disruption. Researchers found that 96 percent of business leaders believe new technologies have forever changed the rules of business by democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations. - You’ve got to figure out agile innovation. Maybe history is repeating itself as the types of products being sold reminded us of the computer tinkering that used to be happening in the 1970s to 1990s – similar in terms of demographics, tending to be young people, and low budget. Now the do-it-yourself category is deeply intertwined with the electronics industry. Open hardware is in the center in maker movement – we need open hardware designs! How can you publish your designs and still do business with it? Open source ecosystem markets behave differently and therefore require a very different playbook than traditional tech company: the differentiation is not in the technology you build; it is in the process and expertise that you slowly amass over an extended period of time.
By democratizing the product development process, helping these developments get to market, and transforming the way we educate the next generation of innovators, we will usher in the next industrial revolution. The world is ours to make. Earlier the PC created a new generation of software developers who could innovate in the digital world without the limitations of the physical world (virtually no marginal cost, software has become the great equalizer for innovation. Now advances in 3D printing and low-cost microcontrollers as well as the ubiquity of advanced sensors are enabling makers to bridge software with the physical world. Furthermore, the proliferation of wireless connectivity and cloud computing is helping makers contribute to the Internet of Things (IoT). We’re even beginning to see maker designs and devices entering those markets once thought to be off-limits, like medical.
Image source: The world is ours to make: The impact of the maker movement – EDN Magazine
In fact, many parents have engaged in the maker movement with their kids because they know that the education system is not adequately preparing their children for the 21st century. There is a strong movement to spread this DIY idea widely. The Maker Faire, which launched in the Bay Area in California in 2006, underlined the popularity of the movement by drawing a record 215,000 people combined in the Bay Area and New York events in 2014. There’s Maker Media, MakerCon, MakerShed, Make: magazine and 131 Maker Faire events that take place throughout the world. Now the founders of all these Makers want a way to connect what they refer to as the “maker movement” online. So Maker Media created a social network called MakerSpace, a Facebook-like social network that connects participants of Maker Faire in one online community. The new site will allow participants of the event to display their work online. There are many other similar sites that allow yout to present yout work fron Hackaday to your own blog. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement—although makers can be found everywhere in the world.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
A Modular, Open Source Electrical Engineering Lab for Your Workbench
https://www.hackster.io/news/a-modular-open-source-electrical-engineering-lab-for-your-workbench-f8c2749806be
EleLab_v2′s customizable modules include fixed and variable power supplies, measurement tools, component testers, and more.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/yihui/a-hand-wired-usb-and-bluetooth-keyboard-powered-by-python-981cc1
Tomi Engdahl says:
Real-Time Inertial Motion Tracker
Using BLE and MEMS sensors of RSL10 sensor board to control a robotic arm (3-axis).
https://www.hackster.io/amine-amri2/real-time-inertial-motion-tracker-ae60b1
Tomi Engdahl says:
Experimenting With Vibratory Wind Generators
https://hackaday.com/2020/06/30/experimenting-with-vibratory-wind-generators/
Tomi Engdahl says:
If you wanna make your own open-source chip, just Google it. Literally. Web giant says it’ll fab them for free
Plus: IBM emits BlueGene/Q CPU blueprints – and ‘fastest’ open-source RISC-V core emerges
https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/03/open_chip_hardware/
If you’re doodling your own computer chip yet wondering if you’ll ever see it physically manufactured, Google is offering to fabricate it for you for free.
There are a few caveats.
One is that the chip design must be public and open-source: you’ll submit your work by sending in a URL to the relevant Git repo. The other is that the process node will be 130nm, which was cutting edge circa 2001. Another is that while Google has promised to fab any open-source project – whether it’s an academic or amateur effort, or led by a commercial outfit – if more than 40 groups step forward for free gear, it’ll start selecting which ones to accept into the program. Also, you’ll each get about 100 components off the production line. And your die area is 10mm2.
As for who will actually make the chips, Google, and its partner efabless, chose SkyWater Technology Foundry, which was spun out of Cypress Semiconductor. A production run is scheduled for November this year, and another in early 2021, and more after.
The goal is to develop an entirely open-source semiconductor manufacturing workflow. To help achieve this, Google and Skywater released an open-source PDK, or process development kit, which is described as a grab bag of design rules, logic and analog models and cells, specifications, and other data to turn your RTL files into actual working patterns of semiconductors, metals, and other chemicals on tiny squares of plastic-packaged silicon.
Normally, PDKs from foundries involve a lot of money; this one is free – the first-ever open source one, apparently – though it is a work-in-progress experiment.
https://github.com/google/skywater-pdk
Tomi Engdahl says:
The FreeEEG32 is a stackable, 32-channel, 24-bit EEG platform designed around an STM32 microcontroller.
NeuroIDSS Set to Release the FreeEEG32 Electroencephalography Platform
https://www.hackster.io/news/neuroidss-set-to-release-the-freeeeg32-electroencephalography-platform-5bd871d55e87
The FreeEEG32 is a stackable, 32-channel, 24-bit EEG platform designed around an STM32 microcontroller.
NeuroIDSS is set to launch the company’s FreeEEG32 open source EEG ADC platform, which boasts 32-channel, 24-bit, sigma-delta, simultaneous sampling for scientists and hackers looking for research-grade equipment without the high costs.
http://neuroidss.com/FreeEEG32
Tomi Engdahl says:
Driving Towards Better Health
An inexpensive, contactless, RF-based, in-vehicle vital sign monitoring device.
https://www.hackster.io/news/driving-towards-better-health-bc10498e5d36
Tomi Engdahl says:
E3K is an all-in-one wireless platform that enables hassle-free data acquisition and visualization for bio-sensing projects.
EMG + ECG + EEG = E3K All-In-One Bio-Sensing Platform
https://www.hackster.io/news/emg-ecg-eeg-e3k-all-in-one-bio-sensing-platform-9a3a8a8e00f2
Open source E3K platform enables hassle-free data acquisition and visualization for bio-sensing projects.
Tomi Engdahl says:
12V/60A power supply (PSU) for 20 dollars? Unbelievable, but true. And high quality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IX3euYOb5E
We want DC power! For Neopixels, for example. Or for battery charging. Or for radio stations. Our power supply has to be strong and stable. Strong means in this case: More than 60 amperes at 12 volts or so. And, these days, it also has to be good for the environment. But it should cost less than 20 dollars. Including shipping. Unbelievable? That is what I thought, too. Till I discovered second-hand server PSUs
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tin Can Phone Modem
Here’s the popular “science experiment” of a phone made from tin cans and some kite string. This time instead of sending voice from one can to the other, data will be sent using a short beep for 0 and a long beep for 1 with a longer start beep to begin the transmission. A transmitter circuit on one end takes data from UART cable to a PC and relays the data through a speaker in one can. The receiver circuit has a microphone in the can and UART cable to relay the response back to the PC.
https://www.mikekohn.net/micro/tin_can_phone_modem.php
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Three-Key Macro Keyboard with 3D-Printed Switches
https://www.hackster.io/news/a-three-key-macro-keyboard-with-3d-printed-switches-b8f907d3fba1
“I like to think of this keypad as a ’3%’ keyboard, it’s fine as long as you only want to type ‘jes.’”
When we last left James Stanley’s 3D-printed keyboard project, he’d managed to make a switch that lasted for nearly 14,000 actions, along with a custom tester than meant he didn’t have to push it over, and over, and over… and over. As impressive as this is, such operation could still mean failure in a matter of hours of intense keyboard use.
Now, however, he’s created a switch that lasts for 250,000 presses
https://www.hackster.io/news/3d-printed-switch-and-tester-af9779a0da33
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inspired by RepRap, this tool brings one more part of a 3D printer into the realm of hobbyist-manufacturability.
Open Source Grinder Lets You Make Your Own Custom Compression Screws for 3D Printer Extruders
https://www.hackster.io/news/open-source-grinder-lets-you-make-your-own-custom-compression-screws-for-3d-printer-extruders-cf932ea230b4
Inspired by RepRap, this tool brings one more part of a 3D printer into the realm of hobbyist-manufacturability.
Engineers at the Michigan Technological University have developed a low-cost grinding machine for the manufacture of compression screws used in direct 3D printing systems — and have released it under an open license, citing the RepRap project as inspiration.
“Some of the most promising distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) technical systems use fused particle fabrication (FPF) or fused granular fabrication (FGF), where compression screws force post-consumer waste plastic through a heated nozzle for direct 3D printing,” researchers Jacob Franz and Joshua M. Pearce explain. “To assist the technical evolution of these systems, this study provided the details of an invention for a low-cost, easily replicable open source grinding machine for compression screw manufacturing.”
“The system itself can be largely fabricated using FPF/FGF following the self-replicating rapid prototyper (RepRap) methodology. This grinding machine can be made from a cordless cut-off grinder and <$155 in parts.
Open-Source Grinding Machine for Compression Screw Manufacturing
https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/5/3/26/htm
Tomi Engdahl says:
Model car racing simulator made with an Arduino, a pair of servos, and SimTools.
https://www.hackster.io/mircemk/diy-2d-motion-racing-simulator-2926b6
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.designnews.com/industry/get-these-diy-gadgets-your-life?ADTRK=InformaMarkets&elq_mid=13718&elq_cid=876648
Tomi Engdahl says:
RC Car Hack Evolves Into Hyper-Engineered Cable Cam
This DIY cable cam takes some incredible footage, with the help of an old RC car.
https://www.hackster.io/news/rc-car-hack-evolves-into-hyper-engineered-cable-cam-c9f1e85e4e0a
Kasper Mortensen from the YouTube channel Make Some exhibits this phenomena with his cable cam build. After his friend Mick asked him to make a cable cam — a camera system that moves along a taut cable using a motor — Mortensen figured it would be a quick hack and he’d be finished. An RC car + some 3D-printed parts = done! However, the reality was not quite so simple.
When Mortensen first tried using the motor that came with the RC car, he quickly realized that it didn’t have anywhere near the power needed to move the camera.
After a full night of redesigning, he decided to not limit himself to using the logic and motor driver from the car, and instead use his own microcontroller that interprets the signal from the RC receiver. He also added a nice beefy motor driver, a gearbox to help increase the torque of the motor, and a 9V battery. Mortensen had scrapped everything from the car besides the RC receiver and a single wheel.
Tomi Engdahl says:
If Imitation Is the Most Sincere Form of Flattery, Lixie Labs Should Be Flattered by the COPIXE!
TinyLEDMatrix brings his ideas to the Pixie LED display project, doing away with LED modules, and implementing the LEDs directly on-board!
https://www.hackster.io/news/if-imitation-is-the-most-sincere-form-of-flattery-lixie-labs-should-be-flattered-by-the-copixe-d953dbd094c6
https://github.com/tinyledmatrix
Tomi Engdahl says:
Using its soft sensitive fingers, this robotic gripper can handle cables with unprecedented dexterity.
MIT’s Robotic Grippers Use High-Resolution Tactile Sensors to Manipulate Cables
https://www.hackster.io/news/mit-s-robotic-grippers-use-high-resolution-tactile-sensors-to-manipulate-cables-b6eadd85adf3
Using its soft sensitive fingers, this robotic gripper can handle cables with unprecedented dexterity.
Tomi Engdahl says:
QGPIO Adds Eight GPIO Pins, Status LEDs to Any Qwiic- or I2C-Compatible Project
https://www.hackster.io/news/qgpio-adds-eight-gpio-pins-status-leds-to-any-qwiic-or-i2c-compatible-project-69a893597d82
With KiCad file available for those looking to customize, Greg Steiert’s QGPIO is a compact and simple way to add pins to your project.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This DIY Bat Detector Picks Up Ultrasonic Chirps in Real-Time
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-diy-bat-detector-picks-up-ultrasonic-chirps-in-real-time-19dcb7ef878b
The device is made up of a MEMs microphone, PCB board and lithium-ion battery, all housed inside a 3D-printed enclosure.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Open Source HDMI for FPGA
https://www.hackster.io/news/open-source-hdmi-for-fpga-f3e885b41aa5
Add an open source, true HDMI port to your FPGAs with this HDL implementation of an HDMI controller.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Researchers have developed a low-cost portable spectrophotometer for fast and reliable measurements with a smartphone and computer interface.
Portable low-cost open-source wireless spectrophotometer for fast and reliable measurements
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246806722030016X?via%3Dihub
The assembled device can measure absorption in the wavelength range from 450 nm to 750 nm with a resolution of 15 nm and is housed in a 90 × 85 × 58 mm casing.
Hardware type • Measuring physical properties and in-lab sensors
• Field measurements and sensors
Cost of hardware 225EUR
Source file repository All supporting software and descriptions are available at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RBFSE
The OSMS device is based on the Hamamatsu C12880MA spectrometer chip, used in a transmission configuration. Transmittance configuration was chosen over reflectance as it offers absolute values instead of relative values that are given by reflectance. The chip is controlled by simple and widely-available microcontrollers and data is transferred via Bluetooth to a mobile application. Connection to a PC via USB interface is also possible for more complex (absorbance-over-time, data accumulation etc.) data acquisition and analysis (e.g. kinetics measurements). The device can measure absorption in the range from 450 nm to 750 nm and uses a single warm white LED as the light source. The open-source miniature spectrophotometer (OSMS) proposed in this study can be adapted to suit specific fields such as food analysis, water quality, biological research, clinical diagnostics and others by adjusting the software or adding additional LED light sources.
The miniature spectrophotometer device consists of only 4 main components – an LED, a spectrometer, a microcontroller and a bluetooth module (and a power source if used in portable mode)
A note on why the visible range was chosen: the Hamamatsu miniature spectrometer chips are only available for visible range. Spectrometers for other ranges are significantly costlier (up to 20×) and also larger in size. The second reason is the light source. Nichia Optisolis was chosen as it emits in a wider range of spectrum than a regular white LED and we suggest others who build the device to choose similar LEDs. However, even with improved range of spectrum, the LED does not cover wavelengths over 780 nm. 750 nm was chosen as the limit in our device, even though the spectrometer chip itself can cover up to 850 nm (for the same reason we chose a lower limit of 450 nm, even though the limit of the spectrometer itself is 340 nm. As was already mentioned it is possible to add additional LEDs to cover other specific ranges.
The device consists of the Hamamatsu C12880MA spectrometer, a white LED (Nichia Optisolis was used), an Arduino Nano microcontroller for control and readout of data, and a Bluetooth module for data transfer to the mobile application. The case of the spectrophotometer was 3D printed and a 10 mm × 10 mm (inner dimensions) cuvette is to be used for the samples. After the sample measurement is obtained, the calculated absorption spectrum is sent to the smartphone via the custom mobile application and the data is displayed there. From the application, the data then can be forwarded via e-mail for further analysis.
There are three main components: C12880MA spectrometer chip, HC-05 Bluetooth module, and an Arduino Nano.
The Hamamatsu C12880MA spectrometer chip is connected to Arduino Nano both for voltage supply and for readouts. Pins 4, 6 and 7 are Clock, Start Pulse, and Trigger pulse and are connected to the digital output pins of the Arduino and the Video signal on pin 10 is read via the analog input pin A0.
The 3D model was created in Autodesk Fusion 360 software.
For simple and portable measurements, an Android application has been created
The Python-based software for interfacing with a computer via a USB port offers the same functionality as the Android application with the additional options to automatically record and observe absorption data over time, set an extended accumulation time and export the data directly to the computer
The ready-built C12880MA spectrometer does not offer any calibration features and only comes with factory set wavelength positions for each pixel of the CMOS linear image sensor (that serves for accumulating the incoming light); therefore testing wavelength accuracy of the spectrometer itself was a key element in assessing the quality of future measurements. The accuracy was determined by measuring the emission spectra of an RGB LED with each color component turned on separately
Tomi Engdahl says:
Wilko Lunenburg’s Simple Bat Detector Uses a Minimum of Parts and Requires No Programming
https://www.hackster.io/news/wilko-lunenburg-s-simple-bat-detector-uses-a-minimum-of-parts-and-requires-no-programming-b11ac42de1bc
With only a handful of components on perfboard, this bat detector is a great project for anyone who doesn’t fancy programming.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Watch The Practical Engineer Create an RC Tesla Cybertruck
There is no denying that the Tesla Cybertruck is eye-catching, which is why The Practical Engineer built an RC car modeled after it.
https://www.hackster.io/news/watch-the-practical-engineer-create-an-rc-tesla-cybertruck-8560531fefca
Tomi Engdahl says:
ClockInACan Is a Configurable Crystal Oscillator IC Replacement for Crystals You Can’t Quite Find!
https://www.hackster.io/news/clockinacan-is-a-configurable-crystal-oscillator-ic-replacement-for-crystals-you-can-t-quite-find-98e2f5e2ea0b
TubeTimeUS treats us to a well-thought-out design exercise in dealing with dreaded part obsolescence!
In one of the first of what we hope will be many modern day takes from TubeTimeUS on tackling component obsolescence, we present you their ClockInACan, a nicely designed clock source crystal replacement for quartz timekeeping devices that just aren’t produced in such gargantuan packages any more!
Based around a JRC NJU6311, and accompanying quartz crystal, this nifty circuit is more than just a single frequency source. The IC exposes a set of strapping pins, which are bought out to the row of pads seen bisecting the PCB layout above.
In terms of drop-in replacement, we have to draw attention to the selection and use of specific, turned pin contacts — in place of the single segments of 0.1″ header strip that some of us would be tempted by.
While header strip is gong to be fine for breadboard usage — it’s not going to be a universal fit in the receptacle contacts of a DIL-14 socket, that was designed for the much more svelte leg of a crystal oscillator can.
Thankfully, there are a myriad solutions for such specific specification contact suppliers, and one of the better known names in that game is MillMax. So it’s no surprise to see one of their product range of turned pin contacts turning up here, a P/N of 0542-0-00-15-00-00-03-0 is put to good use in this project!
With a well-documented project repo read-me, and production / source files furnished with validated supplier part listings
https://www.hackster.io/news/clockinacan-is-a-configurable-crystal-oscillator-ic-replacement-for-crystals-you-can-t-quite-find-98e2f5e2ea0b
Tomi Engdahl says:
ANAVI Macro Pad 8 Offers Eight Mechanical Keys, an OLED Display, and RGB Underlighting
This QMK-based board features customizable macro keys, lighting effects, and OLED display — and will be fully open in firmware and hardware.
https://www.hackster.io/news/anavi-macro-pad-8-offers-eight-mechanical-keys-an-oled-display-and-rgb-underlighting-6011135f29c3
Tomi Engdahl says:
Today’s Forecast: Light Showers, But Brighter Later On
These “deconstructed” LED displays do away with the dot-matrix in order to display data!
https://www.hackster.io/news/today-s-forecast-light-showers-but-brighter-later-on-53b5c06f9f6b
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.mikekohn.net/micro/tin_can_phone_modem.php
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to make a Giant Mosfet | Best DIY project for 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So-6lgmVhA0
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kannel: Open Source WAP and SMS gateway
https://www.kannel.org/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ready, Aim, and Fire This Sentry Water Gun for Some Summer Fun
This autonomous water cannon uses a LIDAR unit to detect and track obstacles to blast water at, all on its own.
https://www.hackster.io/news/ready-aim-and-fire-this-sentry-water-gun-for-some-summer-fun-7abfc5b9d13b
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Robotic Cornhole Board Compensates for Your Terrible Throws
YouTuber Michael Rechtin has built an auto-adjusting cornhole board that’ll make sure you never miss!
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-robotic-cornhole-board-compensates-for-your-terrible-throws-5c763525cedf
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Smart-City-of-Vukovar-Our-View-of-Smart-Living/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/07/22/diy-stress-meter/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/07/23/tiny-ethernet-switch-gets-even-smaller/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/07/22/jan-czochralski-and-the-silicon-revolution/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Juan Miguel Jimeno has come up with an open source framework for building quadrupedal robots and developing new control algorithms.
Champ, the Open Source Quadrupedal Robot with Autonomous Navigation
https://www.hackster.io/news/champ-the-open-source-quadrupedal-robot-with-autonomous-navigation-9781d4991e34
Juan Miguel Jimeno has come up with an open source framework for building quadrupedal robots and developing new control algorithms.
An open source framework for building new quadrupedal robots, CHAMP is based on a hierarchical controller design for highly dynamic locomotion first implemented on the MIT Cheetah robot. The framework, also developed for implementing new control algorithms, includes a setup assistant to configure newly-built robots and features full autonomy using the ROS navigation stack.
While hardware documentation is not currently available for demo bot construction, the software stack is, and you don’t need a physical robot to run the demos — you can run everything in an available simulation environment.
https://github.com/chvmp/champ
Tomi Engdahl says:
A DC power interrupting watchdog, with intelligent rate limiting.
Make Automatic DC Power-Cycling Safer with the Reboot-o-matic
https://www.hackster.io/news/make-automatic-dc-power-cycling-safer-with-the-reboot-o-matic-c5d28dfd1ac4
A DC power interrupting watchdog, with intelligent rate limiting.
Nick Sayer’s Reboot-o-matic, currently available on Tindie, is a solution for safer automatic power-cycling, serving as a DC power interrupting watchdog.
The board works by passing low voltage DC power from a source to a load and has an open-drain input that will cause the power to be dropped for ten-second then restored. As a safety measure, the board also features a microcontroller that only permits the power to be dropped once per hour, preventing malfunctions in the controlling circuit. A Raspberry Pi can run scripts to detect whether the network is operational and power-cycle the router if not.
The basics of the design are a P MOSFET in the positive DC rail with a pull-down on the gate. A second P MOSFET is used to pull the first MOSFET’s gate up to turn the power off.
The controller used as the fail-safe also has software de-bouncing in place, forcing the power to stay low for a full second before the power is cycled, cycle for ten seconds, then stay high for at least an hour before any low transition.
https://www.tindie.com/products/nsayer/reboot-o-matic/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Jason Gin Reverse Engineers a SanDisk High Endurance microSD, Just to Discover the Flash Type
https://www.hackster.io/news/jason-gin-reverse-engineers-a-sandisk-high-endurance-microsd-just-to-discover-the-flash-type-7f2f722e2cb2
After getting the runaround from SanDisk support, Gin turned to a carefully-soldered breakout and a logic analyzer for answers.
https://ripitapart.com/2020/07/16/reverse-engineering-and-analysis-of-sandisk-high-endurance-microsdxc-card/
I used my DSLogic Plus logic analyzer to analyze the signals on all of the pins. Since the data pinout was previously discovered, the hard part of figuring out what each line represented (data bus, control, address, command, write-protect, ready/busy status) was already done for me. However, not all of the lines were immediately evident as the pinouts I found online only included the bare minimum of lines to make the NAND Flash accessible, with one exception being a control line that places the controller into a reset state and releases its control of the data lines (this will be important later on).
By sniffing the data bus at the DSLogic’s maximum speed (and using its 32 MB onboard buffer RAM), I was able to get a clear snapshot of the commands being sent to the NAND Flash from the controller during initialization.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2019/02/02/microwave-parts-become-quick-and-nasty-jacobs-ladder/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Making a Resistance Soldering Unit, and maybe a spot-welder too…
https://www.electricbike.com/resistance-soldering-unit/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electricbike.com/resistance-soldering-unit/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electroinvention.co.in/category/cool-homemade-utility-projects
Tomi Engdahl says:
Built on OSH Park’s Flex PCB service, the Atomized Annoy-A-Tron is considerably more compact than Think Geek’s original design.
AtomSoftTech’s Atomized Annoy-O-Tron Takes the Beeper You Love to Hate to an Ultra-Tiny Form Factor
https://www.hackster.io/news/atomsofttech-s-atomized-annoy-o-tron-takes-the-beeper-you-love-to-hate-to-an-ultra-tiny-form-factor-ec55426bffe3
Built on OSH Park’s Flex PCB service, the Atomized Annoy-A-Tron is considerably more compact than Think Geek’s original design.
Tomi Engdahl says:
An FPGA Developer’s Guide to Cheap Development Boards
Finally, a detailed and all-encompassing guide for those of us with an addiction to buying new FPGA development boards.
https://www.hackster.io/news/an-fpga-developer-s-guide-to-cheap-development-boards-8f1782bb271a
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://anilabindia.blogspot.com/2020/07/how-to-make-fixed-smps-veriable.html?m=1
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/08/11/3d-printable-kinematic-couplings-ready-to-use/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/08/10/modular-vibrating-bots-made-from-pcbs/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/08/11/popcorn-pocket-p-c-open-sourced/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Learn how an image can be generated by processing the sound from 96 microphones in an array.
Creating Images and Videos with Sound by Using 96 MEMS Microphones
https://www.hackster.io/news/creating-images-and-videos-with-sound-by-using-96-mems-microphones-1b58b27d3103
Learn how an image can be generated by processing the sound from 96 microphones in an array.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This 3D-printed, high-torque gearbox is strong enough to pull a car.
3D Printed High Torque Servo/Gearbox Version 2
https://www.hackster.io/bribro12/3d-printed-high-torque-servo-gearbox-version-2-a70c30
An almost completely 3D-printed servo which is able to pull a car forwards.