DIY Projects

DIY Holographic FlexLED display

Makers and electronic enthusiasts interested in building their very own holographic display may be interested in a new tutorial by Carl Bugeja over on his YouTube channel. The Holographic FlexLED It is a simple POV display which can be seen in action in the video below.

“Last year I made this proof of concept of an LED mounted to a flexible PCB coil. This prototype worked better than I every expected, so I decided to give it another shot. After alot of brainstorming I came up with this simplified flexi-rigid design.”

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To build your very own FlexLED holographic display jump over to the Hackaday.io website where full instructions, files are available. You can purchase the flexible PCB actuator from the Tindie website by following the link below.

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“A micro-actuator made from a 0.13mm thick flexible PCB! It is basically a coreless flexible electromagnet, that can attract or repel neodymium magnets. I suggest using it with a N52 neodymium magnet. It can be controlled either through a single transistor to actuate two positions; off position and the attraction/repulsion position. It can also be powered with an h-bridge circuit to get three positions – off position, attraction position and repulsion position. By switching this transistor, the coil can be flapped with any frequency up to 60Hz. I recommended an operating voltage of 4.2V (1s Lipo) which draws around 180mA.”

Source : Tindie : Hackster.io

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Hardware, Top News

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CircuitPython 5.0.0 Release Candidate 0

Adafruit have announced the availability of CircuitPython 5.0.0 Release Candidate 0, the final release which is expected to be published as the first 5.x.x stable release. As you would expect this release is the most able to date and the latest major revision of CircuitPython. CircuitPython 5.0.0 features many improvements and enhancements to displayio, including grayscale OLED and e-paper displays, extensive additions and improvements to BLE support for the STM32F4, iMX RT10xx and Sony Spresense microcontroller families, and PWM audio support.
New Features, Updates, and Fixes since 5.0.0 Beta 5

General :

Speed up heap allocation by tracking first free chunk for multiple block sizes. Thanks @tannewt.
Fix crash after empty REPL session. Thanks @tannewt.
Fix MacOS crash when Mac wakes up with an ejected CIRCUITPY. Thanks @tannewt.
Added draft implementation of eveL, the Gameduino low-level bindings. Thanks @jamesbowman.
Allow storage.remount() to work even if MSC is disabled. Thanks @bmeisels.
time.monotonic_ns() is now accurate to microseconds. time.sleep() now rounds to the nearest millisecond. Thanks @dhalbert.
Include filename in “No such file/directory” error messages. Thanks @dhalbert.
Fix os.stat() integer overflow on non-longint builds. Thanks @dhalbert.
Implement to_bytes(..., signed=True). Thanks @dhalbert.
Support echoing of Unicode characters in REPL. Thanks @DavePutz.
Add RTS/CTS and RS485 capabilities to busio.UART. Thanks @mubes.

DISPLAYIO

Update rotation so 0 is the default, making OnDiskBitmap much faster. Thanks @ladyada.
Allow tuple or list for displayio.Palette color. Thanks @dhalbert.
Fix OnDiskBitmap documentation. Thanks @makermelissa.

NRF and BLE

Add cached buffer on heap for nRF neopixel_write. Thanks @rhooper and @dhalbert.
Add nRF SPIM3 support, allowing 32MHz SPI. Thanks @dhalbert.
Fix using too-small SPI transactions on nRF. Thanks @dhalbert.
Correct I2C frequency setting on nRF. Thanks @dhalbert.
Enable _bleio singleton Adapter when _bleio is imported. Thanks @dhalbert.
Disable experimental BLE file editing service for now. Thanks @tannewt.
Improve BLE error messages. Thanks @tannewt.

Source : Adafruit

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MesoTune magnetic MIDI controller

A unique MIDI controller has been created by FabroLabs Technologies unpublished to the Instructables website providing inspiration and instructions on how you can create your very own similar device using a variety of 3D printed parts, magnets and ballbearings.

“Are you a music composer, melodist, symphonist or a tunesmith who loves to create their own beats, but got bored with all those push button traditional MIDI Controllers. So, this hardware is for you, as in this instructable we switched the push button with a series of discs containing with easily swappable sphere magnets which will synthesis complex beats. This Instructable is to simiplify the sound sampling and enhance your creativity in the field of beat making.”

“MIDI is nothing more than data — a set of instructions. MIDI data contains a list of events or messages that tell an electronic device (musical instrument, computer sound card, cell phone, et cetera) how to generate a certain sound. Here are a few examples of typical MIDI messages:”

– Note On signals that a key has been pressed or a note on another instrument (like a MIDI guitar or clarinet) has been played. The Note On message includes instructions for what key was pressed and at what velocity (how hard the note was played).
– Note Off signals that the key has been released or the note is done playing.
– Polyphonic Key Pressure is a measurement of how hard a key is pressed once it “bottoms out.” On some keyboards, this adds vibrato or other effects to the note.
– Control Change indicates that a controller — perhaps a foot pedal or a fader knob — has been pressed or turned. The control change message includes the number assigned to the controller and the value of the change (0-127).
– Pitch Wheel Change signals that the pitch of the note has been bent with the keyboard’s pitch wheel.

More details jump over to the Instructables website by following the link below.

Source : Instructables : Adafruit

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LEGO playing card shooter fires 6 cards a second

LEGO enthusiasts looking for a new project to keep them busy this weekend may be interested in this awesome LEGO playing card shooter, capable of launching six playing cards per second at unsuspecting targets. Watch the demonstration video below which includes full instructions on how to build your very own LEGO playing card shooter.

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The LEGO playing card shooter has been published to the “Brick Experiment Channel” YouTube channel which is available via the link below. The channel has a variety of creations including a 100 wheel LEGO vehicle LEGO powered submarine and even a paper shredding system using LEGO gears. the channel specialises in “nerdy experiments with Technic LEGO bricks”

For more information on the Technic LEGO bricks jump over to the official LEGO website. “LEGO Technic provides a challenge for experienced LEGO builders. Your child can build advanced, real-life functions like gearboxes and steering systems.”

Source : YouTube : Adafruit

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Raspberry Pi Debounce is a six-channel, fully isolated and debounced input HAT

Raspberry Pi enthusiasts may be interested in a new upcoming project which will soon be available via Crowd Supply in the form of the Raspberry Pi Debounce HAT. A six-channel, fully isolated and debounced input HAT specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi mini PC. The Debounce HAT provides six channels of opto-isolated, debounced digital inputs to a Raspberry Pi-compatible single board computer (SBC).

Possible applications for the Raspberry Pi HAT include : Digital inputs with ESD protection, Mechanical switch / interlock inputs, Isolated sensor interface and Isolated DC voltage sensing. All inputs accept 3 – 12V with arbitrary polarity and can alternatively be connected to open-collector outputs or mechanical switches leveraging the on-board isolated 5V supply.

Features of the Raspberry Pi Debounce HAT :

– 6 input channels (grouped as 3 pairs).
– Uncommitted inputs (100V channel-to-channel isolation)
– 2 kV AC isolation between pairs (connector limited)
– 5 kV AC (8kV HBM) opto-isolation to SBC logic
– 4 kV DC isolated 5V 200 mA supply (DCDC converter limited)
– Mounting points for earth connection
– Spark gap overvoltage protection on all isolated connections.
– 2.5 mm spring terminals for 0.2-1.0 mm² wires (22-16 AWG)
– 16 mm PCB height with connectors
– 2.5 mm spring terminal for 5V/3A input for 0.2-1.0 mm² wires (22-16 AWG)
– Raspberry Pi-compatible mounting hole pattern

Source : Crowd Supply

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Bonsai Buckaroo plant care monitoring development board

If your plants could do with a little TLC you may be interested in a new add-on board unveiled by Adafruit this week in the form of the Bonsai Buckaroo plant care development board, which will soon be available to purchase directly from the Adafruit online store. Check out the quick overview video below to learn more about the small add-on designed for micro:bit or CLUE boards.

““Bolt it on with 5 screws to get a buzzer/beeper, motor driver, and breakouts for connecting a soil sensor (two alligator clips + nails work just fine). Simple, but effective! Works with micro:bit in Arduino, micropython or MakeCode. For CLUE, you can use CircuitPython or Arduino. Code and tutorials will be live when the product is in the shop for purchase!”

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Features of the Bonsai Buckaroo plant care development Board include :

– 8mm Buzzer/Speaker on pin P0 – have your plant kit beep when it wants watering, or have it sing a song when its nice and happy.
– 3V Motor control (on/off) on pin P2 – connect to a water pump to automatically water dry plants
– Alligator clip pads for pin P1, 3V and GND – connect to two alligator clips and nails to measure soil resistance

The Bonsai Buckaroo is not currently available but you can register your interest over on the Adafruit online store, to be notified once the Bonsai Buckaroo developer boards are available to purchase.

Source :Adafruit

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Raspberry Pi camera glasses

Makers, Raspberry Pi enthusiasts and want to be spies may be interested in these new Raspberry Pi camera glasses created by the YouTube channel “Its Triggy”. Check out the video below to learn how to build your very own DIY spy glasses using a web camera from an old laptop.

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If you are interested in learning more about which Raspberry Pi operating system is most appropriate for your next project jump over to our previous article where we list stable major releases of the most popular Raspberry Pi Oses that can be used for a wide variety of projects from gaming consoles to cloud servers.

Source : Adafruit : YouTube

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Pimoroni Pirate Audio Raspberry Pi headphone amplifier

Adafruit has this month announced the availability of the Raspberry Pi headphone amplifier in the form of the Pimoroni Pirate Audio. The Raspberry Pi amplifier is now available to purchase directly from the Adafruit online store priced at just under $25.

“Build your own home-brew iPod with Pimoroni’s Pirate Audio Headphone Amp! It’s an all-in-one solution, with gorgeous album art display, track info, and playback controls, for playing your local audio files (MP3, FLAC, etc) or streaming music from Spotify. The DAC and headphone amp give you crisp digital amplified audio through your wired headphones. Pirate Audio is a range of all-in-one audio boards for Raspberry Pi, with high-quality digital audio, beautifully-crisp IPS displays for album art, tactile buttons for playback control, and the custom Pirate Audio software and installer to make setting it all up a breeze.”

Features of the Raspberry Pi headphone amplifier include :

– Amplified digital audio (24-bit / 192KHz) over I2S
– PAM8908 headphone amplifier chip (datasheet)
– Low-gain / high-gain switch (high-gain boosts by 12dB)
– PCM5100A DAC chip (datasheet)
– 3.5mm stereo jack
– 1.3″ IPS color LCD (240x240px) (ST7789 driver)
– Four tactile buttons
– Mini HAT-format board
– Fully-assembled
– Compatible with all 40-pin header Raspberry Pi models
– Pirate Audio software
– Dimensions: 65×30.5×9.5mm

Source : Adafruit

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AAScan open source Arduino 3D scanner utilizes the power of your smartphone

Using the power of Arduino and utilising the camera and powerful performance of a smartphone QLRO has created a fantastic 3D scanner aptly named the AAScan. Check out the video below to learn more about the Android 3D scanner which is open source and fully automated.

“I’ve designed my own 3D scanner! So, what’s different between this and many other designs on Thingiverse? First, it is minimalist. It only include minimum features that keep it functional. For comparison, check out this beautiful design by daveyclk. Second, it’s fully automated using the latest technology of Arduino and Android (And Linux if you count the computer). For comparison, this design by Bribro12’s: is minimalist, but is hand-driven. Here is my design. Once you’ve got everything set up, it will run on its own and no supervision is needed.”

Source : AB

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DIY Raspberry Pi laser scanner

The ability to scan real-life objects into digital files, capable of being 3D printed or used within other applications for game design, modelling and more is a great function to have in your studio. Although purchasing a 3D scanner can be expensive, but making your very own using the Raspberry Pi mini PC is a lot more fun and slightly more affordable.

If you fancy building your very own Raspberry Pi laser scanner you’ll be pleased to know that instructions have been published to the official Raspberry Pi blog this week enabling you to build a laser scanner using :

– Raspberry Pi
– Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2
– Stepper motor and driver
– Line laser
– Various LEDs, resistors, and wires
– Button

“To complete the build, access to a 3D printer and laser cutter would come in handy. If you don’t have access to such tools, we trust you to think of an alternative housing for the scanner. You’re a maker, you’re imaginative — it’s what you do. The line laser projects a line an object, highlighting a slice of it. The Raspberry Pi Camera Module captures this slice, recording the shape of the laser line on the object’s surface. Then the stepper motor rotates the object. When the object has completed a full rotation and the camera has taken an image of every slice, the Raspberry Pi processes all the images to create one virtual 3D object.”

For full instructions on how to build your very own Raspberry Pi laser scanner jump over to the Raspberry Pi Foundation blog.

Source : RPiF

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