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From the Web: 10 Ways to Destroy an Arduino

Submitted by Shane Oberloier on March 15, 2019 - 12:18am.

Here's a cool guide on how to break your Arduino. Obviously it is likely never your objective to break your Arduino, but what this guide really details, is things go look out for. Lots of good sketches detailing current paths and how to prevent this issues. Check it out!

6.1.1 Binary Numbers (Short Circuit Video)

A review of how counting works with normal (base 10) numbers. Then it is relate to the new concept of binary numbers; a system which is implemented in computers to represent numbers.

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The Learning Cycle and Design Rationale for Short Circuit Videos

Submitted by Shane Oberloier on August 1, 2018 - 11:43am.

As the Summer is winding down and the Fall semester is approaching, I'm beginning to think more about how I teach. To start practicing, I've started to produce brief educational videos called "The Short Circuit". The idea is for the videos to be short, instructional, (reasonably) well produced and yet frill free. My intention with the short circuit videos is to cover many topics in electrical engineering, but also keep the material connected. I've identified my definition of "The Learning Cycle," which I'll seek to implement in every video:

From the Web: Dooba Open Source Phone

Submitted by Shane Oberloier on March 6, 2018 - 2:22pm.

The open source phone by Dooba, called "Trill" is awesome. Open source PCB with a 3D printed enclosure. Beautiful little OLED display. Making a cellphone has been my objective for about a year - I even have most of the parts already. Sadly I haven't had the time to sit down and really work on it. But my cellphone is on it's last leg (And I've had it since 2012 - so it can be considered archaic at this point). I really don't want to buy another phone - so Trill is on my wishlist.

Circuit Mill Development Log: Spindle Dropping, Auto Probing, and Z Axis Failure Mode

Submitted by Shane Oberloier on March 5, 2018 - 3:30pm.

A look at the spindle slipping due to low contact friction with the holder, Z axis probing to prevent warpage, and counterweight springs to give a favorable failure mode for the spindle.

^{Z axis springs used to cancel the force of the spindle's weight}

Circuit Mill Development Log: Z Slip Fixed - Promising Results

Submitted by Shane Oberloier on February 16, 2018 - 3:15am.

The demands of graduate school were taking their toll last month and I wasn't able to give OCI the love it deserves. But I'm back to work now! The Z axis was not getting enough current from the stepper driver on the ramps board. This is because the entire spindle assembly weighs 1kg - and is straining out the stepper motors. When moving in small increments, the motors will skip steps and move inconsistently (see data from Circuit Mill Development Log: Z Slip). Often times the spindle would slip downward while cutting, causing some catastrophic results.