Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 65 replies
  • Subscribers 599 subscribers
  • Views 3736 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

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

jwatson

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.

  • in reply to koudelad

    However, all modern IDEs support some kind of a version control

    A more true statement might be " ... However, some modern IDEs support some kind of a version control ...."

     

    While many IDE's might have the ability it is not much use if they are on the hard drive that just died, or the laptop that just got stolen.

     

    I look at it as an education thing, a bit like looking both ways before you cross the road REGARDLESS if you know there are no cars, bikes, truck, or other objects.

    Once you're in the habit of saving data you'll check to see it is in place, and probably never need it.

     

    Mark

  • There are a few ideas in here, but probably too long winded for this compendium...

    Tis The Season For Arduino

  • Tip Toe!

    Make sure that you use certified premade power adapters to protect yourself from electric shock, burns and electrocution.

  • Here are a few, kept brief:

     

    1) If you are going to solder small SM components then get some nice thin solder wire - I have a reel of 32SWG OMEGA from Warton metals - the really thin stuff is a terrible price but worth it.

     

    2) Get some really runny flux - I use Warton Future 315 which has about the same viscosity as water.

     

    3) If you are allowed by local regulations and intended use then use lead based solder - it is vastly easier to get good results when other conditions are not optimum.

     

    4) If you want to de-solder a component that was originally soldered lead free and you are having problems getting the old solder hot enough then try adding leaded solder to the joint which will reduce the melting temperature.

     

    5) if you use PCB cad then learn to create your own parts and footprints - other peoples' are very unlikely to optimum for your work - the best footprint for hand soldering is not the same as for production type processes. If you will only ever hand solder a board then make your life easier by designing it for that.

     

    6) If you use modern micros with built in debug ports then learn to use them and the debugging support in the software tools.

     

    7) Use modern micros with built in debug ports and software tools that support them.

     

    8) If you are using 8 bit micros: ask yourself why - there are still some applications where they have an advantage but very, very few if you are building less than 1000 boards.

     

    9) When you debug a micro and use the lovely tools to look at peripheral registers, beware of unwanted interactions - the act of reading  a register may clear a status flag.

     

    10) The above are all generalizations based on my experience - by all means read stuff up on the web, but think, before you decide on the best route for you.

     

     

    MK

  • in reply to ntewinkel

    Don't keep all your eggs (backups) in the same basket (or location)!

  • in reply to rsc

    Why not use an adjustable voltage regulator or a fixed valued one of the right voltage?

  • in reply to balearicdynamics

    Did you know that you can use a SPI interface to drive the shift register it rather than bit bashing it?

  • in reply to balearicdynamics

    Enrico, your board has analog potentiometers on it!

  • in reply to rsc

    It can be done with virtually any illustration package with rulers.

  • in reply to koudelad

    A UPS is a funny product that gets more unreliable with age because it's on all of the time.

    Rather than fixing it replacing it is the more economic solution.

     

    Be careful when using Mains Powered UPS products as there is an electrical shock hazard!