« Saturday

- 2015-01-25 018
- IMG 8108
- IMG 5941
- 3C2A3251
- 3C2A3331
- 3C2A3304
- 3C2A3297
- IMG 1444
- 2015-01-25 019
- IMG 5912
- IMG 5908
- IMG 0869
- 3C2A3290
- 3C2A3330
- 114 1489
- 2015-01-25 016
- IMG 5917
- IMG 5890
- IMG 5888
- IMG 4055
- IMG 5884
- 2015-01-26 006
- 2015-01-26 010
- IMG 0872
- IMG 4096
- IMG 1427
- IMG 5945
- 2015-01-26 008
- 3C2A3249
- 3C2A3295
- IMG 4095
- 2015-01-17 002
- IMG 5892
- IMG 4086
- IMG 0873
- IMG 0871
- 2015-01-26 011
- 3C2A3324
- 2015-01-26 005
- IMG 5940
- IMG 4064
- IMG 4057
- 3C2A3300
- IMG 5881
- 3C2A3261
- IMG 4092
- 2015-01-26 004
- 2015-01-26 007
- IMG 5883
- IMG 4094
- 2015-01-26 014
- IMG 1429
- IMG 1430
- IMG 4099
- IMG 5946
- 2015-01-27 010
- IMG 5914
- IMG 4072
- IMG 5910
- IMG 5865
- IMG 5874
- 2015-01-25 020
- IMG 0870
- 2015-01-17 009
- 114 1494
- IMG 4101
- 2015-01-27 011
- IMG 4054
- 2015-01-17 004
- IMG 4056
- 2015-01-26 009
- IMG 4091
- IMG 1447
- 2015-01-27 012
- IMG 1425
- 2015-01-17 005
- IMG 5882
- 2015-02-01 004
- IMG 5938
- IMG 5943
- 3C2A3282
IMG 4482- IMG 4102
- 114 1488
- 2015-01-17 017
- IMG 5939
- IMG 5880
- IMG 1433
- 3C2A3306
- IMG 4080
- IMG 5876
- 3C2A3294
- IMG 5854
- IMG 5891
- IMG 1445
- IMG 1448
- 2015-01-25 015
- IMG 5923
- 2015-01-27 009
- 3C2A3318
- IMG 1446
- IMG 5935
- IMG 5944
- 2015-01-17 006
- 3C2A3266
- 2015-01-17 007
- 114 1490
- IMG 5915
- IMG 4058
- IMG 5919
- IMG 4088
- 2015-01-17 003
- 2015-01-17 010
- IMG 1443
- 3C2A3309
- IMG 5934
- 2015-01-25 014
- 2015-01-26 003
- IMG 5909
- 2015-02-02 004
- IMG 1441
- IMG 4070
- 2015-02-01 003
- grbl
The grbl controller; underneath this stepper driver is an Arduino Uno and a breakout board. - IMG 5875
- IMG 1423
- 2015-01-17 008
- 3C2A3279
- 2015-01-25 002
- 2015-01-27 008
- IMG 4087
- IMG 5936
- IMG 4078
- 2015-01-25 021
- 114 1492
- IMG 1438
- IMG 5869
- 114 1487
- 2015-01-26 015
- 2015-01-17 001
- 2015-02-05 001
- IMG 1431
- IMG 5924
- 2015-02-05 002
- 114 1493
- 2015-01-26 012
- IMG 5873
- 2015-02-05 004
- 2015-02-01 005
- IMG 5871
- IMG 4071
- IMG 5860
- IMG 4097
- IMG 5853
- 114 1486
- 2015-01-26 002
- IMG 5921
- 3C2A3239
- 2015-01-26 001
- IMG 4081
- 2015-02-06 001
- IMG 5859
- 2015-01-26 016
- 2015-02-04 001
- 2015-01-17 011
- IMG 1422
- IMG 5922
- IMG 1440
- IMG 5937
- 2015-02-06 006
- 2015-01-25 003
- 2015-02-01 006
- 114 1491
- IMG 4093
- IMG 5862
- 2015-02-02 003
- IMG 5904
- IMG 5879
- 2015-01-25 004
- IMG 1432
- 2015-01-17 015
- 2015-01-17 016
- 2015-02-01 008
- IMG 5907
- IMG 5928
- 2015-01-27 007
- IMG 1421
- 2015-01-27 006
- 2015-02-06 003
- 2015-01-25 013
- 2015-01-25 005
- 2015-01-26 017
- 2015-02-01 007
- 2015-01-25 006
- IMG 5925
- IMG 5931
- 2015-01-25 001
- IMG 4077
- 2015-02-06 005
- 2015-01-25 009
- 2015-02-01 010
- IMG 5933
- IMG 5926
- 2015-01-25 010
- IMG 5932
- 2015-02-01 009
- 2015-01-25 007
- 2015-01-25 012
- 2015-01-27 005
- 2015-02-02 002
- IMG 5927
- 2015-01-25 011
- 2015-01-27 001
- 2015-02-02 001
- 2015-01-27 002
- 2015-01-27 004
- 2015-01-27 003
The cables have to go somewhere
Testing the slide of the bed
Y-axle idler pulley
First print in progress
Printhead front
Taking shape
Z-axis motor mounts
Z-axis motor mounts
Printhead rear
Print head cables
3C2A7365
3C2A7351
3C2A7342
Hotend fan
3C2A7364
3C2A7374
3C2A7385
Cables everywhere
3C2A7224
3C2A7326
3C2A7338
X and Z axis
3C2A7345
3C2A7232
3C2A7226
3C2A7220
3C2A7236
Treefrog
3C2A7306
3C2A7263
3C2A6623
3C2A7277
3C2A7272
3C2A7218
3C2A7252
3C2A7248
Baby Groot
3C2A7237
3C2A7202
3C2A7242
3C2A7241
3C2A7080
3C2A7119
3C2A7100
3C2A7120
3C2A7259
3C2A7141
3C2A7024
3C2A7244
3C2A7197
3C2A7031
3C2A7025
3C2A7026
3C2A6818
3C2A7040
3C2A7187
3C2A7034
3C2A6777
3C2A6795
3C2A7153
3C2A6861
3C2A6751
3C2A6771
3C2A6911
3C2A6803
3C2A7158
3C2A6752
3C2A6853
3C2A7283
3C2A7021
3C2A6806
3C2A6791
3C2A6747
3C2A6864
3C2A6852
3C2A6797
3C2A6916
3C2A6786
3C2A6737
3C2A6735
3C2A6754
3C2A6775
3C2A6817
3C2A6745
3C2A6826
3C2A7016
3C2A6907
3C2A6785
3C2A6767
3C2A6714
3C2A6716
3C2A6857
3C2A6769
3C2A6848
3C2A6719
Piper vs. Apollo
3C2A6717
3C2A6996
3C2A7395
3C2A6627
3C2A6649
3C2A6684
3C2A6662
3C2A6628
3C2A6651
3C2A6642
3C2A6653
3C2A6698
3C2A6669
3C2A6629
3C2A6648
3C2A6646
3C2A6635
3C2A6641
3C2A6634
3C2A6600
3C2A6547
3C2A6517
3C2A6680
3C2A6525
3C2A6557
3C2A6559
3C2A6501
3C2A6604
3C2A6499
3C2A6554
3C2A6593
3C2A6590
3C2A6530
3C2A6607
3C2A6553
3C2A6558
3C2A6591
3C2A6560
3C2A6577
3C2A6550
3C2A6578
3C2A6536
3C2A4929
3C2A6502
3C2A6565
3C2A6510
3C2A6549
3C2A6540
3C2A5040
3C2A6529
3C2A6464
3C2A4919
3C2A6610
3C2A4876
3C2A5050
3C2A4856
3C2A6496
3C2A6468
3C2A4771
3C2A6497
3C2A4975
3C2A4974
3C2A4920
3C2A5106
3C2A6505
3C2A4590
3C2A6563
3C2A6538
3C2A6532
3C2A4663
3C2A4971
3C2A4912
3C2A6587
3C2A4821
3C2A6561
3C2A6614
3C2A5086
3C2A4969
3C2A6467
3C2A4904
3C2A6470
3C2A5006
3C2A4906
3C2A4871
3C2A6533
3C2A4991
3C2A6471
3C2A4863
3C2A6495
3C2A5076
3C2A6606
3C2A5030
3C2A4887
3C2A4865
3C2A5118
3C2A4976
3C2A4869
3C2A4866
3C2A6474
3C2A4973
Mathematical Bridge
3C2A6477
3C2A5001
3C2A4992
3C2A4900
3C2A4978
3C2A4857
3C2A4995
3C2A5008
3C2A4903
3C2A6491
3C2A4893
Merlin's Cave
3C2A4889
3C2A4877
3C2A6483
3C2A5108
3C2A5036
3C2A5023
3C2A5123
3C2A5202
3C2A5007
3C2A5021
3C2A6479
3C2A5026
3C2A6486
3C2A5193
3C2A5183
3C2A5179
3C2A5209
Stockton STEM Badge microcontroller
The chip is an inexpensive "PIC" microcontroller; this runs a program that controls the LEDs.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
LEDs have a flat edge on one side of their case.
Stockton STEM Badge boards
The badge printed circuit board (PCB) comes in several colors.
Stockton STEM Badge resistor legs
The resistor legs need to be bent in order to insert them into the board.
Stockton STEM Badge IC socket
Note the orientation of the indent at the upper edge of the IC socket.
Stockton STEM Badge IC socket
The IC socket should lay flat against the board.
Stockton STEM Badge button
As with the IC socket, soldering one leg first and verifying component alignment will help prevent easy mistakes.
Stockton STEM Badge IC
Make sure the IC is correctly aligned before pushing it in.
Stockton STEM Badge resistor legs
The legs are trimmed, the excess removed with side-cutters.
Stockton STEM Badge resistor legs
The legs are passed through the board holes; they may need pulling firmly, but not too firmly, with pliers to pull the resistor body flush with the board.
Stockton STEM Badge resistor legs
Soldered legs; only a small amount of solder is needed and it heat should be applied only briefly.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
All the LEDs have been soldered. Notice that they all have the same orientation; the flat edge is to the left.
Stockton STEM Badge decoupling capacitor
This ceramic capacitor is not orientation sensitive. Decoupling means it absorbs electrical noise and is used to filter the power feeding the microcontroller.
Stockton STEM Badge decoupling capacitor
The capacitor should sit flush with the board.
Stockton STEM Badge battery
It is possible for the holder to become hot during soldering; be careful when handling immediately after soldering.
Stockton STEM Badge IC
When inserting the IC, firm but controlled pressure is needed to avoid bending the pins.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
Stockton STEM Badge electrolytic capacitor
Orientation of this capacitor is important. There is a "+" symbol in the footprint of the component printed on the board; the "-" of the capacitor should be on the opposite side.
Stockton STEM Badge decoupling capacitor
As with the resistors, the legs should be splayed a little to help hold it in place for soldering.
Stockton STEM Badge IC and socket
The legs of the chip need to be straight otherwise they will not properly insert into their positions in the socket. It is easy to bend or break the legs if care is not taken.
Stockton STEM Badge battery
The battery holder is a simple metal cage that solders to the underside of the board.
Stockton STEM Badge resistor legs
The legs are then carefully bent to about 45 degrees to hold the resistor in place for soldering.
Stockton STEM Badge IC
The IC pins need to be straight and line up with their receptacles in the socket.
Stockton STEM Badge battery
Note the orientation of the battery. The "+" side contacts the battery holder.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs and button
Orange and yellow LEDS. The pushbutton switch allows a person to control the badge.
Stockton STEM Badge battery
The battery should sit snugly under the holder.
Stockton STEM Badge battery
Note the orientation of the holder; reversing it will make it difficult to insert the battery later.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
Stockton STEM Badge IC socket
Soldering one leg first and checking that the socket is flat against the board avoids a simple mistake. If it is not flat, or otherwise misaligned simply re-heating the leg will help correct the issue. Once orientation and alignment is verified, solder the remaining legs. Sometimes a small shim, such as the black foam here, can help keep the board level and simplifies the task.
Stockton STEM Badge button
The push-button switch will fit two ways. Orientation does not matter.
Stockton STEM Badge IC socket
Soldered legs.
Stockton STEM Badge components
Stockton STEM Badge IC
Once pushed all the way in, the IC may sit above the socket, but it will be parallel to it.
Stockton STEM Badge electrolytic capacitor
Electrolytic capacitors are polarity sensitive; note the "-" symbol on one side of the capacitor package. These capacitors typically have a larger capacity than their ceramic counterparts and are used for bulk storage; this one is used to assist the battery when the LEDs turn on. This is necessary because button cell batteries are not designed to provide as much power as the LEDs can demand.
Stockton STEM Badge IC and socket
The chip, an integrated circuit, or IC, must also be used the correct way round. Both the chip and its socket have a notch at one end to identify its orientation.
Stockton STEM Badge battery
The battery is a typical CR2032 button cell. Notice which side the "+" is on.
Stockton STEM Badge resistors
These are 47 ohm resistors; they limit the current supplied to the orange, yellow and green LEDs. The blue LED does not require one.
Stockton STEM Badge components
The badge consists of a handful of electronic components. Components R1, R5 and J1 are not normally populated.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
The footprint for the LEDs also shows a flat edge; orientation of the LEDs needs to match that of the board.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
Green and blue LEDs
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
While all components can be destroyed with an excess of heat during soldering, LEDs are especially susceptible to this.
Stockton STEM Badge completed
Press the button to start the lights!
Stockton STEM Badge capacitors
The capacitors smooth the power on the badge. The top capacitor, is not polarity sensitive; that is, it can be used either way round. The other capacitor must be used only the correct way round; the case has a "-" symbol printed on it.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
The case of an LED can crack if the legs are bent too close to it; even after placing the LED on the board, only bend the legs slightly to hold it in place.
Stockton STEM Badge LEDs
Notice how the LEDs typically have one leg longer than the other; this is called the "anode". The colored case also has one flat side, opposite the longer leg; the leg on this side is called the "cathode". Also, note the distinctive shape of what is inside the colored case; this can also be used to help determine its orientation. The gap at the top of the metal surface is always on the anode side. LEDs can only be used the right way round so determining orientation is important.