Arduino++
If you search for ‘Arduino’ and ‘weighing’ you very quickly come across the HX711 board module and an associated world of strain gauges and load cells.
All this looked interesting with some learning along the way. The result is that I took a dive into the subject and ended up with some new knowledge and ideas for the future.
In this first part I cover the hardware requirements and in the next how to write software to implement a weighing system.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The first part concluded with the YM2413 hardware and an amplifier on a test Arduino Uno shield. In this and the next part we explore the interface to the device and how to control the hardware to make music.
When researching material for the SN76489 sound generator (documented in these previous articles) I discovered that many early microcomputer systems incorporated both the SN76489 and a YM2413 FM synthesizer. The Yamaha synthesizer looked like an interesting piece of hardware to explore. Here’s the result.
In the first part we explored the functions of this MAX7219 and how the SPI link is the key to making the device work for us.
In this part we’ll develop code to efficiently display numeric data using 7-segment and LED matrix displays.
The MAX7219 is a common and inexpensive IC used for controlling up to eight 7-segment LED displays (or 64 individual LEDs).
Beginners are often intimidated by how to use this versatile component with a microcontroller, turning to libraries to help them solve the problem. In most simple cases, it is more efficient to run the IC directly. Here’s what you need to know to get the job done.
Arduino++ 