johnridley | Entries tagged with duckon

The 3D printer figured big in this year's blinkie design. Not only is the battery holder printed, but I used a gerber-to-gcode conversion script to enable me to use the RepRap to lay down the ink on the blank PCB to make the prototype, and by the time June rolls around I may have a printed sleeve to go on it that diffuses the LED light.

( more yammering and a few photos after the cut )

Modified and printed revisions 2.0 through 2.3 today. Now thinner, motor snaps in firmly, a little less long, battery is snug, wiring runs through hidden tracks underneath, comes up through the battery compartment vertically so inserting the battery does not push it down, and the wire wraps around a post at the top.

This thing has some wicked torque steer. It runs in little 3" circles. Reverse the battery, it runs circles the other way. I'm trying to decide if mounting the motor on an angle would correct that.

I'm also going to play with the idea of using two or maybe even three LR44 cells instead of a CR2032. The 2032 seems to die fast running a motor.

I'll be posting this to Thingiverse when I'm sure the design is settled.

For Duckon 2012 I plan to have more than just blinkies in the blinkie room, including things that move, and encouragement for children to participate in new ways.

This is a frame for making bristlebots. The goal is to have the assembly be trivial even for small children, and also to provide some flat faces for decoration (sharpies, googly eyes, etc).
It took about 90 seconds to assemble this; all that's involved is popping the motor in and then winding the wires around the posts.
Will be printed in white for decorate-ability. I will try PLA as well. I need to find a way to run the wires vertically; horizontal wires just get pressed down during battery insertion.

Video

I just managed to find an eBay seller that had replacement tips for the Radio Shack soldering irons that Duckon owns. Some of the tips are horrendous, way worse than anything you'd call usable, and it frustrates people. Radio Shack sells them for about $6.50 for two, I found 30 of them at a buck each (in Radio Shack packaging). So hopefully our irons will be in good shape next year. I'll also try to monitor and shut off unused irons, that will help prolong their life.
I wouldn't have thought it, but Radio Shack soldering irons seem to be unique; even though they've used the same tips for nearly 20 years, nobody else seems to use that design.
I wish we had 24 Hakko 936 stations but those are $50 each (for Chinese clones) instead of $15. Maybe we'll buy one a year :)

This is basically what I had planned as one of the blinkie projects for next Duckon. Dammit. Ah well, my idea is actually somewhat different than this, I want to do it anyway. My idea had a power option, less sensors and stuff, and cost a LOT less than this - like $20 instead of $60.
Halloween Lilypad Costume Class - October 15th, 2011 - SparkFun Electronics
( G+ comments after the cut )

Got a dozen more wire cutters for the Duckon blinkie room. Harbor Freight had a sale. I had them shipped, because it'd cost me > $9 to drive there. They just came in the mail.
( G+ comments after cut )

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one monkey typing

Entries tagged with duckon

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Duckon 2012 prototype finished

Bristlebot Evolution

Duckon Bristlebot frame take 1

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