Notifications
Clear all
Show & Tell
13
Posts
8
Users
5
Likes
703
Views
Topic starter
2021-01-09 5:09 am
Hello all.
This is my first contribution to the Forums. Cheers.
radwaste.
Project Motivation:
I was reviving my interest and familiarity with Arduino programming and interfacing with various components. I wanted to use some rusty electronics knowledge and new 3D printing capabilities in a small project that would help me to practice some old skills and learn some new ones. And to play with the tools of the trade (i had gotten a hot air rework station and a volume of Arduino components in anticipation of building some accessories for the new Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, for which even simple joysticks are in short supply).
In my previous episodes using Arduinos, I didn’t enjoy working with the typical Arduino setup, with the Uno and breadboard sitting on the table top (also known as the workbench) with power and hookup wires everywhere. I have found this to be susceptible to wires coming loose from all the jostling, and too easy to mis-identify either hookup wire or pinouts. This was going to be an issue as I expected to practice several stepper motor circuits inspired by DroneBotWorkshop projects and tutorials.
So I decided to build a more consolidated “Powered Arduino Project Workstation”.
There is a 13 page PDF with all the details at this link.
PoweredArduinoWorkStation-FullText
This topic was modified 3 years ago by radwaste
2021-01-09 10:48 am
@radwaste Very nicely done and even a better job of documenting your work! 😀
SteveG
2021-01-09 11:32 am
Impressive and inspirational! Thank you for sharing this.
I tend to think I might do something with two Arduinos (and I2C). Not sure. I'm working on a project that needs four Arduinos but when it's done I don't know if I'll very often use more than one.
For labelling the power outputs, what about having some nice custom decals made? (I could send you a link to a friend's business but you can easily research your own.) The decals could, for instance, mimic the footprint of the outputs so that the text would be exactly aligned.
Thanks again!
Tom
Tom
2021-01-09 3:03 pm
That is truly impressive, nice work! And the documentation is great as well.
All you need now is a little storage drawer at the bottom to hold your parts!
😎
Bill
"Never trust a computer you can’t throw out a window." — Steve Wozniak
2021-01-09 5:20 pm
Excellent!
Photo Bud (aka John)
The Old Curmudgeon!
2021-01-09 5:31 pm
very nice!
If your code won't compile, have another glass of bourbon. Eventual the problem will be solved.
Topic starter
2021-01-09 7:31 pm
Thank you all for the feedback.
I thought of decals, which I will do, but was annoyed I didn't anticipate it in the design thinking.
As for the documentation, I was trained (via software QA, and engineering control systems) that documentation is where a majority of effort would/should go. I find it easy because I start with that end in mind, moving from a little sketchbook to a online file that I can build upon as I go. When I have several projects going on at once, it's good to be able pick up a project and quickly remember where I left off while I was e.g. waiting for the other part, taking a break, etc. From my systems engineering experience, I like to start off with documenting motivation and design criteria. I find it makes some of my projects go faster. Anyway, that is why the documentation is so long.
For the life of me, I haven't figured out how to have images in line with the forum post text, or to upload the PDF, or image files. So I linked to them. Any ideas are appreciated.
cheers again,
radwaste
2021-01-09 7:31 pm
Great creative idea.
Necessity? I can very well relate to - "As I age, I also don’t like craning my neck over the table to see the increasingly small pin identifiers..." - (from the PDF) and a few more.
Have had a scan of the PDF and the Product Image as well. This is surely going to be of use.
I know it is a lame thing to say, but... still, if you got a BoM (including links).
Tinkercad and 3d stuff is exciting, I have been procastinating and somehow, been avoiding to go to that part of the world. Definitely not a wise idea, I guess.
Life is exploring and learning
Topic starter
2021-01-09 7:38 pm
Thanks.
By BoM I assume you mean Bill of Materials? Except for the few screws and double sided tape, every part is noted in the PDF, and ALL of them can be found on Amazon by the key descriptive words for each part.
I eschew adding Amazon links because they expire, and one ends up having to try to find the equivalent part anyway.
But I will look at my Amazon history and see if I can make a quick BoM.
Cheers,
radwaste
Topic starter
2021-01-09 7:42 pm
Well now you've done it. The suggestion for a little parts draw underneath has opened the rabbit hole. I've looked and it would be a simple matter to design and print an additional case bottom extension (there are 4 securing screws already). So there goes the weekend. Thanks. 😉
DroneBot Workshop reacted
2021-01-09 7:43 pm
Thanks.
By BoM I assume you mean Bill of Materials? Except for the few screws and double sided tape, every part is noted in the PDF, and ALL of them can be found on Amazon by the key descriptive words for each part.
I eschew adding Amazon links because they expire, and one ends up having to try to find the equivalent part anyway.
But I will look at my Amazon history and see if I can make a quick BoM.
Cheers,
radwaste
Right, by BoM, I was referring to Bill of Materials. And a read (the first time I was only scanning the document), did make me realize that all details were in fact mentioned.
For the Amazon links, probably yes, you are right, there are links when I click say that the product is now not available or even I find that the seller does not operate now (or any other reason).
Life is exploring and learning
2021-01-09 8:28 pm
For the life of me, I haven't figured out how to have images in line with the forum post text, or to upload the PDF, or image files. So I linked to them. Any ideas are appreciated.
Just drag the images from your computer into your post. And you can always hit the "Preview" link at the bottom of the editor to see how it looks before you publish it.
Well now you've done it. The suggestion for a little parts draw underneath has opened the rabbit hole. I've looked and it would be a simple matter to design and print an additional case bottom extension (there are 4 securing screws already). So there goes the weekend. Thanks.
LOL, well it sounds like a great way to spend the weekend anyway!
😎
Bill
"Never trust a computer you can’t throw out a window." — Steve Wozniak