Category: electronics

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electronics hardware

DIY Thread Burner

A thread burner is a tool used to cut and melt the end of polymer-based threads (polyester, nylon, etc.) and paracords. By applying a very targeted application of heat, thread burners efficiently melt the last little bit of thread sticking out after the thread is clipped. They are also used to melt the knotted ends of threads to prevent the knot from loosening or untying.

For some time, I have been using a commercial thread burner to seal my leatherwork stitching but have become increasingly irritated by the large number of AA batteries it consumes. There has to be a better way to do this, so I decided to make my own.

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algorithm Arduino electronics software

LDR or LED for Laser Detection?

While researching how to detect a laser beam configured as a tripwire I came across a number of ‘recommended’ ways to do this. I decided to test the two cheapest viable options – an LDR and LED – to see which would best suit my needs.

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Arduino electronics hardware software

Analog Panel Meter Clock

Analog panel meters (APM) are instruments that measure and display variables on a dial, usually with a moving pointer or needle in front of a proportional scale.

I wanted to try using these meters in a clock project but have been put off by their high unit cost. However, a recent ‘fire sale’ at a local electronics wholesaler provided the opportunity to acquire 10 meters for just a few cents each, so this project became feasible.

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algorithm Arduino electronics software

Liquid Drop Photography Controller

I find high speed photography fascinating because it captures and preserves an instant that is not usually visible to the naked eye.

Liquid drop photography is the most popular kind of low budget high-speed photography. It is often the first high-speed technique for beginners as it’s easy to shoot with minimal equipment and setup – even I had success, and I am far from proficient as a photographer.

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Arduino electronics hardware robot

SmartCar Bot Upgrade – Hardware and Sensors

Following on from the SmartCar project described in this previous series, I decided to apply the lessons I learned to create a new version from scratch.

The design aims were still broadly the same, but the mechanical platform was redesigned to better suit what I think needed. In the end, this new version differs in functionally important ways, with the end result being a more capable robot rover.

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Arduino electronics hardware

Atmel ATTiny Processor ‘Sensor Shield’

While experimenting Atmel’s 8-pin AVR processors ICs (specifically ATTiny85 and ATTiny13) I decided to create the equivalent of a ‘Sensor Shield’ that allows me to re-use my prototyping boards and easily program the ICs through an ICSP header.

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electronics hardware

FlySky T6 RC Data Cable & Flight Simulator

Having acquired a FlySky 6 channel Radio Control transmitter (FS-T6) for a planned model airplane, I decided to take on the common advice that it is worth practicing on a simulator before being let loose on the ‘real thing’. Here’s what’s required.

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Arduino electronics MIDI software

DIY MIDI Percussion Kit – Part 2

In the first part we built up some percussion sensors using piezo electric elements that can detect a strike and provide feedback on the strength of the blow.

In this part we define a software framework that turns these, and any other similar sensors, into a DIY percussion kit.

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Arduino electronics hardware MIDI

DIY MIDI Percussion Kit – Part 1

Some small projects are interesting because they can enable more than their initial proposition, and the simplicity of producing synthesized sounds using a MIDI interface allows us to experiment with different types of instrument ‘user interfaces’.

In this project I build a flexible software kernel for a DIY MIDI percussion kit that can initially be used with switches and piezo sensors but is easily extensible.

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Arduino electronics hardware PCB

Arduino Pro Mini Sensor Board

I often use Pro Mini format Arduino Boards in my projects, especially when the processor is embedded as a ‘set and forget’ controller. They have a small form factor and are very inexpensive.

However, as I prototype systems using standardized breakout modules (see this past article) it has been annoying not having a sensor-type board for this processor footprint. So I decided to make my own.

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