MEP EP#4

Published: Feb. 26, 2016, 5:04 p.m.

  • Audio quality of the podcast leveled up! Stephen and Parker went over to The Pharmacy Recording Studio which is run by Josh Moore. He hooked them up with 2 (!) microphones and a nice an acoustically pleasing room. Big thanks to Josh!
  • Parker has been working on the X-Y Platform which has been code named the SAIM which stands for Semi-Automatic Inspection Machine. Half of Parker's job is coming up with "cool" acronyms.
  • The SAIM will be a PCB inspection machine for low volume runs at MacroFab. See Figure 1.
  • Parker gets Open Beam and Open Builds confused again. Similar names and similar products! Parker is using Open Builds V-Slot Linear Rails for the SAIM.
  • Controlling the SAIM is the Macro PLC. It is a in house designed CNC controller based off the Parallax Propeller.
  • Stephen has been working on the FX Development board. This board has all the power supplies and trimmings you need to develop guitar pedals, analog effects, and synthesizer circuits. The board has two solder-less breadboards as well built in. See Figure 2 for the prototype.
  • This week Stephen and Parker have not been able to work on the Super Simple Power Supply (SSPS) but will be getting back to that project next week. Getting a solid cooling solution down is the next step.
  • Selling 3D objects that you did not design? Ethically or Morally wrong? Depends on the license.
  • Mouser's website verse Digi-key's website. Stephen really likes how clean Mouser's website and attribute searching works. Parker likes Digi-key's pictures as they make it easier for shopping for connectors and switches.
  • Parker suggests reading the errata datasheets first before picking a microcontroller.

Special thanks to whixr over at Tymkrs for the intro and outro theme!