Arduino

Spotting Arduino Clones

Arduino Clone Board

Open Source Hardware (OSH) means not only releasing devices, but all of the documentation associated with them. For some projects, this may include the actual CAD files used to produce the device. For example, the Arduino team produces not only schematics but the Eagle PCB CAD files for each of their boards. The great thing about such disclosure is that one can easily tweak the existing design for their own purposes. The downside is that nearly anyone can submit the exact same files to their own production house and have immediate clones.

Flickr changed their API, so the callouts are gone…. Sorry about that. -James

Even when some people choose to do this, as have some eBay (and now Amazon) sellers, differences crop up from “real” boards and the clones (aka “fakes”). Click on the above photo for a Flickr-based “spot the differences” game!

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Components

LED Tutorial – Learn the basics

Nearly every consumer device makes use of the Light Emitting Diode (LED). This highly versatile device offers an easy way to add an indicator to any project while drawing a relatively small amount of current. Once their operation is understood, adding them to any project is a simple task. This tutorial is a simplified explanation of how a LED works and how to select a current limiting resistor. The LED tutorial here is enough to use LEDs in a project but is not intended to be a thorough explanation.

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BinBoo

BinBoo – Binary Clock

Status:  Completed
Hackster.io Project Page: https://www.hackster.io/baldengineer/binboo
Github Code:  https://github.com/baldengineer/BinBoo

Binary + Bamboo = BinBoo

 

Abstract

Binary + Bamboo = BinBoo.  This project is my first attempt at making a laser-cut enclosure.  Ponoko was used to cut the project which holds itself together.  The LEDs are driven by an Arduino-based clock that incorporates a RTC1307, FTDI chip, ATmega328, and TLC5940.

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Around The Web

Now that’s an Apple Pie! – EMSL

What is more American than an Apple Pie?  Why, a Pie designed in California, made in China.  This is one pie I’d like to jailbreak.  Is applying too much heat to this pie considered an upgrade?  Okay, that’s all the lame puns I have for this laser cut pie.

Evil Mad Scientist Labratories provides a tutorial on how to bake a Mac Mini Style Apple pie, complete with Laser Cutting Instructions.  Yeah that’s right, a laser cut pie.

Now that’s an Apple Pie! – Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.

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