Frank Milburn's Blog

The Tin Man - Conclusion

2021-10-30T05:18:11Z

The evolution of the Tin Man:Credits: Line drawing on left from the original novel by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow Center photograph of the Tin Man ...(read more)

The Tin Man - Mechanically and Electrically Complete

2021-10-25T02:42:03Z

The Tin Man is now mechanically and electrically complete. Printed Parts I didn't take any photographs during assembly but it was straightforward. The front and sectional view from the back below shows the parts minus the electron...(read more)

The Tin Man - Velleman "Voice Changer Kit"

2021-10-22T02:47:28Z

Time for more silliness with the Tin Man. I have been thinking about what kind of voice he should have and spotted the Velleman Voice Changer Kit for $11. I know it says Whadda on the box but inside the PCB and the instruction sheet says V...(read more)

NSA1166 7-Segment 6-Digit Bubble Displays

2021-10-21T06:23:27Z

Jameco has these National Semiconductor NSA1166 7-segment 6-digit bubble displays and I bought a couple to distract me from what I should be doing. They are very simple to drive as each segment has its own pin that is driven high and each digit ...(read more)

The Tin Man - Smooth Moves

2021-10-16T04:47:21Z

Last week I started a series of blogs on making the Tin Man from the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. The progress towards completion has been leisurely but this week's update features the first 3D print and code to add speech and smoothed move...(read more)

The Tin Man - Getting Started

2021-10-09T04:39:45Z

I've decided to make an animatronic Tin Man loosely based on the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz for no other reason than I've wanted to for some time. It seems like it would make a good design exercise. It would also be someone that ...(read more)

JFET Static Charge Detector

2021-08-22T04:02:40Z

In a recent element14 Essentials on Static Control, shabaz said this: "A 2N3819 + meter or LED makes a nice simple charge detector too : )" So, I thought I would try it. I don't have a 2N3819 but I do have a J112 N-channel JFET.&nbsp...(read more)

Robot Summer Camp 2021

2021-07-31T05:26:54Z

This is the 5th year I have held Robot Summer Camp for my grandchildren and there were 2 full-time campers and 1 part-time. They don't really camp, but one has to sleep on the couch :-). The purpose of Robot Summer Camp is to have s...(read more)

Been There, Done That

2021-03-06T01:53:43Z

Been There,Done That,Got the T-shirtNext week I get the vaccine Thanks danzima and tariq.ahmad(read more)

Testing DC Motors on a Robot with DIY Rotary Encoders

2021-03-01T05:30:11Z

EDIT 2 Feb 2021: Added explanation for poor matching of motors I have an ongoing project to develop a robot which will use a Raspberry Pi for the main brain and I2C communication with a microcontroller for real time activities such a...(read more)

Testing the Microchip MCP3421 18-bit ADC

2021-02-22T04:06:22Z

I have what seems to be a continuously ongoing project to measure low resistances with milliohm precision. The latest version had an inexpensive voltmeter that used the Microchip MCP3421MCP3421 in the display. The chip costs $2.39 in smal...(read more)

The Wilson Current Mirror

2021-02-01T07:27:31Z

Recently W2AEW, one of my favorite YouTube bloggers, made a video on the Wilson Current Mirror and the Early Effect in Bipolar Transistors. He explains things clearly without any fluff so go check it out. I always understand and remember ...(read more)

Quick Review: Multicomp Pro Handheld LCR Meter

2021-01-20T06:14:52Z

I am posting my initial impressions of the Multicomp Pro Handheld LCR MeterMulticomp Pro Handheld LCR Meter. My objectives are to get familiar with the capabilities and use of the meter, do some comparisons to other instruments in my possession...(read more)

Quick Review: Tenma 72-9380A Handheld Digital Multimeter

2021-01-17T05:32:43Z

This is a quick overview and initial impressions of the Tenma 72-9380A72-9380A multimeter. A comparison is made to other multimeters I currently own and use.Background I currently own 4 multimeters that I frequently use, one of which has b...(read more)

New Improved DIY Milliohm Meter V2.0

2020-09-21T06:44:37Z

The milliohm meter has been one of the most popular projects I've posted on element14 judged by views, comments, and stated interest. Thanks to a modification by shabaz (documented way down in the comments here) and much help over time it appea...(read more)