🤖 Transforming a 3D printer into a soldering machine
Surface-mount technology has been a fantastic force multiplier for electronics in general and for hobbyists in particular. But sometimes you’ve got no choice but to use through-hole components, meaning that even if you can take advantage of SMDs for most of the design, you still might need to spend a little time with soldering iron in hand.
Author added a bracket to the Longer LK4 printer to hold a soldering iron, and a guide for solder wire. The solder is handled by a more-or-less standard extruder, which feeds it into the joint once it’s heated by the iron.
The secret sauce here is probably the fixturing, with 3D-printed jigs that hold the through-hole connectors in a pins-up orientation on the bed of the printer. With the PCB sitting on top of the connectors, it’s just a matter of teaching the X-Y-Z position of each joint, applying heat, and advancing the solder with the extruder.
More information:
Project review
Original video
#robots #articles
Surface-mount technology has been a fantastic force multiplier for electronics in general and for hobbyists in particular. But sometimes you’ve got no choice but to use through-hole components, meaning that even if you can take advantage of SMDs for most of the design, you still might need to spend a little time with soldering iron in hand.
Author added a bracket to the Longer LK4 printer to hold a soldering iron, and a guide for solder wire. The solder is handled by a more-or-less standard extruder, which feeds it into the joint once it’s heated by the iron.
The secret sauce here is probably the fixturing, with 3D-printed jigs that hold the through-hole connectors in a pins-up orientation on the bed of the printer. With the PCB sitting on top of the connectors, it’s just a matter of teaching the X-Y-Z position of each joint, applying heat, and advancing the solder with the extruder.
More information:
Project review
Original video
#robots #articles
🧠 Dlib - modern open-source machine learning toolkit written in C++
Dlib is a toolkit containing machine learning algorithms and tools for creating complex software to solve real world problems.
It is used in both industry and academia in a wide range of domains including robotics, embedded devices, mobile phones, and large high performance computing environments. Dlib's open source licensing allows you to use it in any application, free of charge.
Main features:
▫️ Documentation - provides complete and precise documentation for every class and function
▫️ High Quality Portable Code
▫️ Huge Variety of Machine Learning Algorithms
▫️ Image Processing capabilities, such as high quality face recognition
▫️ Graphical User Interfaces
Can be easily implemented on microcontrollers, such as Raspberry Pi - example: video, github.
More information...
#software #machine_learning
Dlib is a toolkit containing machine learning algorithms and tools for creating complex software to solve real world problems.
It is used in both industry and academia in a wide range of domains including robotics, embedded devices, mobile phones, and large high performance computing environments. Dlib's open source licensing allows you to use it in any application, free of charge.
Main features:
▫️ Documentation - provides complete and precise documentation for every class and function
▫️ High Quality Portable Code
▫️ Huge Variety of Machine Learning Algorithms
▫️ Image Processing capabilities, such as high quality face recognition
▫️ Graphical User Interfaces
Can be easily implemented on microcontrollers, such as Raspberry Pi - example: video, github.
More information...
#software #machine_learning
📟 "Listening Temperature" with TinyML
Teaching Arduino to hear the temperature difference using Edge Impulse Studio
Firstly, author acquire the sound of pouring water and then uploades it to Edge Impulse Studio, where the data gets preprocessed. Then he trains the Neural Network (NN), tests it and deploys to an MCU (Arduino Nano) for real physical test.
To do so, author uses Edge Optimized Neural (EON) Compiler, which permits to run of neural networks in 25-55% less RAM, and up to 35% less flash while retaining the same accuracy compared to TensorFlow Lite for Microcontrollers.
More information...
#projects #machine_learning #artificial_intelligence #arduino
Teaching Arduino to hear the temperature difference using Edge Impulse Studio
Firstly, author acquire the sound of pouring water and then uploades it to Edge Impulse Studio, where the data gets preprocessed. Then he trains the Neural Network (NN), tests it and deploys to an MCU (Arduino Nano) for real physical test.
To do so, author uses Edge Optimized Neural (EON) Compiler, which permits to run of neural networks in 25-55% less RAM, and up to 35% less flash while retaining the same accuracy compared to TensorFlow Lite for Microcontrollers.
More information...
#projects #machine_learning #artificial_intelligence #arduino
📰 The shortage of MCUs
MCUs are widely used in a multitude of systems, such as appliances, cars, communication equipment, and industrial products.
Demand is robust for MCUs. “MCU is an example of a hot application, where the support is needed from mature 200mm technology nodes through mainstream 300mm technologies,” UMC’s Ng said. “MCUs are one of the key applications driving the growth of mainstream 40nm and below technologies.”
MCU suppliers, however, can’t keep up with demand. “Shortages of MCUs continue,” Semico’s Feldhan said. “Demand for MCUs started to increase towards the second half of 2020. Since then, MCU average selling prices (ASPs) have increased each quarter. The supply does seem to be tightest for 32-bit MCUs where ASPs have increased over 20% over the last year.”
Some MCU suppliers are taking usual steps to meet demand. Microchip, for one, launched a Preferred Supply Program (PSP).
More information...
#news
MCUs are widely used in a multitude of systems, such as appliances, cars, communication equipment, and industrial products.
Demand is robust for MCUs. “MCU is an example of a hot application, where the support is needed from mature 200mm technology nodes through mainstream 300mm technologies,” UMC’s Ng said. “MCUs are one of the key applications driving the growth of mainstream 40nm and below technologies.”
MCU suppliers, however, can’t keep up with demand. “Shortages of MCUs continue,” Semico’s Feldhan said. “Demand for MCUs started to increase towards the second half of 2020. Since then, MCU average selling prices (ASPs) have increased each quarter. The supply does seem to be tightest for 32-bit MCUs where ASPs have increased over 20% over the last year.”
Some MCU suppliers are taking usual steps to meet demand. Microchip, for one, launched a Preferred Supply Program (PSP).
More information...
#news
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📟 The Index - PnP machine for automatic circuit boards assembly
The Index an open-source pick and place (PnP) machine. The project is under development.
The goal of the Index is to help folks bridge the gap between prototyping and mass production. The Index is designed to be low-cost enough that someone could buy or build one to support making production runs at home or as a small business.
It runs using OpenPnP. The Index will eventually be able to do multiple parts of the PCBA manufacturing process. It is currently capable of picking parts and placing them, but eventually the Index will support solder paste dispensing and interfacing with other machines, such as a PCB panel hopper and reflow oven.
More information:
Github page
Wiki page
YouTube playlist
#projects #hardware
The Index an open-source pick and place (PnP) machine. The project is under development.
The goal of the Index is to help folks bridge the gap between prototyping and mass production. The Index is designed to be low-cost enough that someone could buy or build one to support making production runs at home or as a small business.
It runs using OpenPnP. The Index will eventually be able to do multiple parts of the PCBA manufacturing process. It is currently capable of picking parts and placing them, but eventually the Index will support solder paste dispensing and interfacing with other machines, such as a PCB panel hopper and reflow oven.
More information:
Github page
Wiki page
YouTube playlist
#projects #hardware
💻 Top 4 Embedded Operating Systems with Examples
Detailed article summing up all the most popular OS.
Choosing a real-time system will depend on how fast your system must react. For example, a Hard RTOS is used for medical systems and Soft RTOS is used in video streaming like Chromecast.
▫️ Embedded Linux refers to the use of Linux in robots, routers, prototyping boards, or any electronic device that possesses a microcontroller (MCU). It is a free license, inexpensive, has plenty of documentation, offers free and paid support, highly customizable.
▫️ QNX focuses on performance and reliability. Its features are designed to keep the embedded device running its task without flaws and in time. It is a RTOS, supports many architectures, you can port Linux application to QNX.
▫️ INTEGRITY is an Hard RTOS for embedded devices applied in many areas such as satellites, rail trains, or industrial robots.
More information...
#articles #operating_systems
Detailed article summing up all the most popular OS.
Choosing a real-time system will depend on how fast your system must react. For example, a Hard RTOS is used for medical systems and Soft RTOS is used in video streaming like Chromecast.
▫️ Embedded Linux refers to the use of Linux in robots, routers, prototyping boards, or any electronic device that possesses a microcontroller (MCU). It is a free license, inexpensive, has plenty of documentation, offers free and paid support, highly customizable.
▫️ QNX focuses on performance and reliability. Its features are designed to keep the embedded device running its task without flaws and in time. It is a RTOS, supports many architectures, you can port Linux application to QNX.
▫️ INTEGRITY is an Hard RTOS for embedded devices applied in many areas such as satellites, rail trains, or industrial robots.
More information...
#articles #operating_systems
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📰 Tokyo Olympic Robots
The black-and-white high-tech contraption made its debut earlier this week as one of a handful of robots designed to streamline the Tokyo Olympic Games. And it can be seen again — essentially playing fetch — during the track and field throwing events over the weekend.
The International Olympics Committee says the self-driving robot is able to suss out the "optimal path" to follow when it's chasing after hammers, javelins and all manner of objects thrown by athletes.
"The Tokyo 2020 Games are a unique opportunity for us to display Japanese robot technology," said Hirohisa Hirukawa, leader of the Tokyo 2020 Robot Project.
He added that the project will showcase the practical and real-life benefits of such machines.
More information...
#news #robots
The black-and-white high-tech contraption made its debut earlier this week as one of a handful of robots designed to streamline the Tokyo Olympic Games. And it can be seen again — essentially playing fetch — during the track and field throwing events over the weekend.
The International Olympics Committee says the self-driving robot is able to suss out the "optimal path" to follow when it's chasing after hammers, javelins and all manner of objects thrown by athletes.
"The Tokyo 2020 Games are a unique opportunity for us to display Japanese robot technology," said Hirohisa Hirukawa, leader of the Tokyo 2020 Robot Project.
He added that the project will showcase the practical and real-life benefits of such machines.
More information...
#news #robots
📃 Top 5 Secrets of High-Speed PCBs Revealed by Professionals
From assembly development to mitigating crosstalk to signal integrity, these tips can help streamline the high-speed PCB design process.
Vigorous competition in the electronics market means developers must keep modification in mind when designing systems. High-speed PCBs are increasingly important to high-performance solutions, but high-speed PCB assembly is costly. That's why you can’t experiment with these boards or generate a lot of prototypes.
This article offers five tips to help streamline and improve those high-speed PCB designs while keeping costs at bay.
What you’ll learn:
▫️ Designing high-speed PCBs.
▫️ Maintaining signal integrity for faster signal transmission.
▫️ Reducing crosstalk in high-speed PCBs.
More information...
#articles #hardware #electronics #design
From assembly development to mitigating crosstalk to signal integrity, these tips can help streamline the high-speed PCB design process.
Vigorous competition in the electronics market means developers must keep modification in mind when designing systems. High-speed PCBs are increasingly important to high-performance solutions, but high-speed PCB assembly is costly. That's why you can’t experiment with these boards or generate a lot of prototypes.
This article offers five tips to help streamline and improve those high-speed PCB designs while keeping costs at bay.
What you’ll learn:
▫️ Designing high-speed PCBs.
▫️ Maintaining signal integrity for faster signal transmission.
▫️ Reducing crosstalk in high-speed PCBs.
More information...
#articles #hardware #electronics #design
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💻 IoT Development Platforms
The article aims to help you decide the best one for your IoT project
◽ Toit offers a completely new set of features and even a new python-like programming language developed solely for IoT. The Toit language is a high-level, object-oriented language with simple and easy-to-use Python-like syntax and is 20 times faster than MicroPython.
◽ The Balena platform offers a wide variety of tools for building, deploying, and managing IoT apps on your device. This IoT development platform is targeted to be used on Linux-based devices like Raspberry Pi or Nvidia’s Jetson TX2.
◽ Particle is a complete edge-to-cloud platform for IoT, offering solutions for hardware, connectivity, device cloud, and apps. Based on Arduino libraries.
◽ The Azure IoT Suite is an open-source cloud-based platform that is designed for different industries ranging from manufacturing to transportation to retail. Supports AMQP, MQTT, and HTTP protocols. Provides strong security standards.
More information...
#IoT
The article aims to help you decide the best one for your IoT project
◽ Toit offers a completely new set of features and even a new python-like programming language developed solely for IoT. The Toit language is a high-level, object-oriented language with simple and easy-to-use Python-like syntax and is 20 times faster than MicroPython.
◽ The Balena platform offers a wide variety of tools for building, deploying, and managing IoT apps on your device. This IoT development platform is targeted to be used on Linux-based devices like Raspberry Pi or Nvidia’s Jetson TX2.
◽ Particle is a complete edge-to-cloud platform for IoT, offering solutions for hardware, connectivity, device cloud, and apps. Based on Arduino libraries.
◽ The Azure IoT Suite is an open-source cloud-based platform that is designed for different industries ranging from manufacturing to transportation to retail. Supports AMQP, MQTT, and HTTP protocols. Provides strong security standards.
More information...
#IoT
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📑 Top 4 Interesting Engineering Projects
Worthy looking into startups for gaining new ideas and inspiration
▫️ Flipper Zero is a portable multi-tool for pentesters and geeks in a toy-like body. It loves hacking digital stuff, such as radio protocols, access control systems, hardware and more. It's fully open-source and customizable.
▫️ The ZUtA portable pocket printer is the most compact printer till date. It is pretty small, as its diameter is 10.2 cm and weighs in at 350 grams.
▫️ XGO-Mini is a desktop-sized AI quadruped robot with 12 degrees of freedom which can achieve omnidirectional movement, six-dimensional posture control, stable posture, and a variety of motions.
▫️ myCobot is the world’s smallest and lightest collaborative robot, retaining most of the functions of industrial robots. With compact and elegant industrial design, excellent and powerful performance, and huge software and hardware development space, myCobot has unlimited possibilities in application expansion.
#articles #robots
Worthy looking into startups for gaining new ideas and inspiration
▫️ Flipper Zero is a portable multi-tool for pentesters and geeks in a toy-like body. It loves hacking digital stuff, such as radio protocols, access control systems, hardware and more. It's fully open-source and customizable.
▫️ The ZUtA portable pocket printer is the most compact printer till date. It is pretty small, as its diameter is 10.2 cm and weighs in at 350 grams.
▫️ XGO-Mini is a desktop-sized AI quadruped robot with 12 degrees of freedom which can achieve omnidirectional movement, six-dimensional posture control, stable posture, and a variety of motions.
▫️ myCobot is the world’s smallest and lightest collaborative robot, retaining most of the functions of industrial robots. With compact and elegant industrial design, excellent and powerful performance, and huge software and hardware development space, myCobot has unlimited possibilities in application expansion.
#articles #robots
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