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New Horizons posted on 13 Feb 2012
Recently, I created a bare-bones design for TI's PCM2707 USB DAC. This was the first time I designed a board layout. It was enlightening, to say the least. The board is almost entirely surface mount and comes in at a hair over 1 sq inch. I have five of them on order at BatchPCB - I'll share the schematic and layout for this one once I get a chance to play with the hardware.
Once the basic board works, I would like to make two derivatives - one bus powered with a headphone amplifier, and one self powered with a heftier amplifier. I have not decided on a specific amplifiers yet, but I am considering the 25 watt TAS5713 for the board with the bigger amp. This chip sings from an I2S input, which should help keep a short analog signal path.
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Settlers of Catan! posted on 18 Jan 2012
I have been a Settlers of Catan addict for the past two years. If you enjoy board games and you have not had the chance to play this one, you are really missing out.
Long ago, I lost one of the white settlements. As I now own a functional 3d printer, I thought I might print a replacement. When I found that someone had already uploaded models of the Catan settlements, cities, and roads to thingiverse, I decided to print an entire set of pieces.
This was my first print in two weeks. Not long ago, I switched to grey plastic and found its thermal properties different from the transparent blue plastic I am used to. I had to recalibrate a number of settings, and my prints still have not reached the level of quality I would like to see. Once I have reached a higher level of quality, I will reprint this set. In the meantime, it is definitely suitable for use.
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Long time, No see! posted on 09 Jan 2012
It has been a while since my last post - a long while. I have been keeping busy, though! My reprap is now compete and is printing parts of remarkable quality. Recently, I modded a tiny zotac nettop with a large 12v fan. The mod was far from straightforward, so I plan to document it for the benefit of anyone else whose stock fan dies. In the meantime, I have been working on a website to help students study organic chemistry. Right now, the public site is feature frozen while I develop version 2, a complete rewrite. I wish it were not necessary, but the first version was procedural PHP backed only by a simple XML file. Quick and easy, perhaps, but not maintainable! Version 2 will use the YII framework and will open the door to some really nice features in the future. You can see the first version at www.StudyOrganic.com
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Building my bot posted on 02 Jul 2011
My parts! Purchased with Bitcoins :)
First frame triangle
Outer structure complete
I'm currently building the Z axis. The X axis and Y axis are complete, but I don't have any pictures of them.
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Pictorial: Preparing a Display Module posted on 04 May 2011
To use a display without a mating 4 pin connector, the cable must be modified.
A module before modification
Remove the connector and strip the cable
Separate the copper shield from the power and data wires
Remove the copper shield
Strip the wires
Red - 12v, Black - GND, Green - Rx, White - Tx
Apply power
First power initialization screen
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Display Module Details posted on 03 May 2011
Here are the specifications for the display module. Read & enjoy!
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It Works! posted on 03 May 2011
I have been spending some time on the #reprap IRC channel lately, and there seems to be some demand for an on-printer user interface. When I first heard this, I was ecstatic - my company once produced an aftermarket iPod interface for automotive use. This interface allowed the user to control their music with a four button + 16x2 LCD module. Now that most aftermarket head units come with iPod control built in, there is no demand for our product. As such, we have a large quantity of these modules and very little use for them.
After realizing this opportunity, I began testing a module to verify the protocol spec. After hours of beating my head against an invisible protocol wall, I realized my FDTI USB-serial cable wasn't providing enough current. I moved the power and ground lines to a 13.8V supply, and BAM, text!
Pending permission from my employer, I will release the protocol specification and device schematics.
Generic Maker
Written by George Hahn
george@genericmaker.com
