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Related

Share A Design Tip to be included in our next Engineers eBook

jwatson
jwatson over 8 years ago

Let your fellow makers in on your design secrets here!

 

Have you found a solution to a common design problem?  Have you found an easier / cheaper way to do something?

 

Share your ideas with us for your chance to have your tip appear in Premier Farnell's edition of ebooks.

 

It’s your opportunity to share with your peers and promote your ideas or business at the same time.

Of course, please steer away from the obvious or too simple, such as ‘if you are writing software, take backups, OR drill holes this way instead of that way’.

 

We would like to create an ebook to provide both inspiration and assistance that help readers create interesting and fun projects, whether they are trying to kickstart a business or simply developing something for their own home.

 

Here’s some topics to get you thinking:

  • Using Maker boards – how do you get boards to do what you need, or configure boards to give you the inputs or outputs to do something cool?
  • Using Sensors – ideas for collecting information about what’s happening in the world, whether it’s temperature data or interfacing a camera...
  • Robotics and Controls – how do you control motors and movement? Ideas for making robots or simply just controlling a motor to close your curtains..
  • Displays – some boards have built-in displays, while don’t others? What are your best tips for displaying information in your projects?
  • IoT and Connectivity – soon almost everything will be connected, so tell us how you make it easier to get connected to the internet and transfer data...
  • Software development – what are your tips for writing better software, or just overcoming specific challenges? Show off your software expertise...
  • Just for fun – perhaps you’ve had a great idea for a new way of doing things, but aren’t sure if there are any serious uses. Tell us about your less serious tips and ideas!

 

We’re looking for tips of around 40 to 50 words with a simple diagram or image. 

 

Share your ideas as a comment on this discussion and we will be in touch with you to let you know if your tip will be included in the next edition of ebooks.

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Top Replies

  • e14phil
    e14phil over 8 years ago +8
    Thank you to everyone who submitted a tip! We were able to use tips from: ipv1 shabaz ntewinkel Instructorman rachaelp michaelwylie fvan Jan Cumps https://www.element14.com/makertips
  • balearicdynamics
    balearicdynamics over 8 years ago in reply to jwatson +6
    Tip #1 Arduino alphanumeric 8 bits LCD device with three cables only using a shift register. Available circuit schematics, pcb and prototypes, video etc.
  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 8 years ago +6
    a simple one: Uninterruptible Power Supply for your USB powered Design by using an off-the-shelve Power Bank (like the one you use as smartphone backup) with pass-trough charging. Input is a USB wall wart…
  • jwatson
    jwatson over 8 years ago

    Don't forget - we can all refer to Forums  for free peer advice on everything EAGLE!

    This is a great resource, as are EAGLE CAD Libraries - free to all element14 registered members.

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  • balearicdynamics
    balearicdynamics over 8 years ago in reply to jwatson

    Tip #1

    Arduino alphanumeric 8 bits LCD device with three cables only using a shift register. Available circuit schematics, pcb and prototypes, video etc.

    image

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  • balearicdynamics
    balearicdynamics over 8 years ago in reply to jwatson

    Hello Jane,

     

    I am posting some designs I think maybe useful but I am not sure if these can be considered "tips". Anyway if are useless for your ebook no matter.

     

    Enrico

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  • balearicdynamics
    balearicdynamics over 8 years ago

    Tip #2

    Arduino educational shield for testing how digital potentiometers works.

    image

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 8 years ago

    a simple one:

    Uninterruptible Power Supply for your USB powered Design by using an off-the-shelve Power Bank (like the one you use as smartphone backup) with pass-trough charging.

     

    image

     

    Input is a USB wall wart, output goes to the gizmo.

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  • balearicdynamics
    balearicdynamics over 8 years ago

    Tip #3

    Arduino 32 bit input with four shift register daisy-chained. Maybe also used for educational purposes as it only uses the shift registers chip

    image

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  • jwatson
    jwatson over 8 years ago in reply to balearicdynamics

    Thanks Enrico! image

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  • koudelad
    koudelad over 8 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    I like the idea of using a power bank as a UPS, but all power banks I had in my hands (about 5 different types and capacities) use some "intelligent" charge controller that cuts-off the power output, if the current drawn by a device gets below some level (and maybe for some time). I haven't explored this in detail, nor performed any specific measurements, but connecting anything that draws only a few miliAmpers gets this cut-off.

    Any idea how to solve this? I don't consider raising a power consumption as an option image

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 8 years ago in reply to koudelad

    No idea, koudelad. It may not be a good solution for your design.

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  • rsc
    rsc over 8 years ago

    Here's a tip for making enclosure panel drill templates.

    Use a CAD program to draw out the component mounting locations and drill hole sizes.

    Then print out the drawing at 1=1 scale and tape the print to the part to mark your drill holes.

    image

    Scott

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