GerbVIO – Python Bulk Import/Export
This Python script allows instant importing and exporting of all files through GerbVIO with just a few clicks.
Idiot Christmas Light Controller
Griswold may have needed an nuclear power plant for his lights, but his didn’t blink. Not enough.
YM3812 Synthesizer
Believe it or not this is a fully functional music synthesizer with fully every possible parameter tweakable and can save presets. The synth sound horrible, but that was by design. The YM3812 chip is from an old Soundblaster card from back in the Reagan days. This thing sounds like bad dog stuff. It’s so bad … Read more
Big Girl Audio – Audio Power Amplifier
I became intrigued with the 200W+ audio amplifiers on Amazon for $80 or so on Amazon. I did a little digging and found that some were based on a TI TPA3255 chip. I picked up a few MPN: TPA3255DDV and went to town. I basically lifted this schematic directly from the datasheet so it wasn’t … Read more
POWER INVERTER IN DQ REFERENCE FRAME
The task: Take a DC boost converter controlled with with a PID loop. Input a 60Hz sine wave as the setpoint. This creates a 60Hz sine wave with a DC offset. Make another identical DC boost converter and slam them together across a resistive load. (See schematic). The end result is the DC voltage is … Read more
Mixed Signal: Remote Audio Level Control
My friend wanted to control the level of his home stereo system built into his house. No problem. Sorta. I bought an off the shelf Bluetooth audio receiver so phones could send audio to this thing. Ran it through my PCB and split the audio out to a couple of those Class D amplifiers based … Read more
Reading Light Bar
Requirements: This was a basic project. The ESP32 is overkill for this, but I had it on hand. For linear faders that are normally used on a mixing console create voltage dividers that are read by the ADC on the ESP32. The light is dimmed with standard PWM and MOSFETs. Fun artifact. My son wanted … Read more
USB 3.1 2-port Hub
The world needed another USB 3.1 hub. Nevermind that they can be purchased for the cost of a sugar-laden cup of coffee. I needed this module block for the future and I always like to design these in chunks when I can.
Shred Guitar #002
I built a guitar for my son for his birthday. Basswood body, single humbucker in the bridge, super jumbo frets, locking tuners. I used the laser to draw the basic body shape, which I drew in Fusion 360. I basically eyeballed the Solar guitars when drawing the outline in Fusion 360. It’s not exact, by … Read more
AutoHotkey V1.1 Mega System Walkthrough
AutoHotKeys can work with Python and Windows to become a powerhouse tool for automation.
Placement Panelization of CSV File Using Python
This Python script allows us to clone placement data with an offset to match the placement requirements of a 2×2 array.
XLSX to CSV Python Script
This Python script converts an .xlsx Excel file to a .csv files with two clicks. This is useful in times when our tools are designed for .csv files.
Remove Unneeded File Types From Folder
This script lists file names and extensions that are unneeded for manufacturing and deletes those files.
Python: Reference Designator Generator
This Python script was used to convert a quantity into reference designators.
Python: Placement Data Flip For PCB Components Script
This Python script allows us to quickly flip the the placement of a .tsv file on either the top, bottom, or both sides and we can flip along either the x-axis or y-axis.
Arduino: Transmit 10-bit ADC Reading Through Serial
So the standard Serial.write() or Serial.print in Arduino land is 8-bit All this really means is we need to send one byte ( bits) at a time. If we try to send 10 bits, then bad things happen. On top of that, it’s better to setup a secret word for start and another one for … Read more
Atmel ICE, PlatformIO, and ATmega4808 Settings
I had hell with the drivers for the Atmel ICE to talk to the ATmega4808 so I figured I’d keep my settings here. PlatformIO platformio.ini [env:ATmega4808] platform = atmelmegaavr board = ATmega4808 framework = arduino upload_speed = 115200 upload_protocol = atmelice_updi Device Manager Looks LIke This Zadig Looks Like This
Low Power Audio Amplifier
I needed a low power audio amplifier for my home audio setup. Nothing crazy. I basically wanted to match what a car stereo head unit could do. I didn’t want to fiddle with large power and I wanted something cheap. I had done plenty of PCBs for manipulating audio signals, but I had never tried … Read more
CR10 Configure E-Steps With This Gcode File
The code below will heat the hot end nozzle up to 185 and then set the e-steps to 147.19, and then slowly extrude 100mm of filament. To use it, mark a line 120mm from your extruder on your filament. Run this gcode as if Cura spit it out. Measure the line. You want to be … Read more
ESP32TimerInterrupt Simple Example
Here’s a stripped down example of Khoi Hoang’s ESP32TimerInterrupt library. The library claims to run up to 16 compares (or alarms) on one, single timer. It seems to work well although I’ve only tested 3 timers thus far. I plan to use it on my Idiot Christmas Light Controller controlling triacs.
LtSpice Potentiometer Model
It takes about 20 seconds to put a potentiometer model in LtSpice. I have no idea why it wasn’t included. Regardless…. — Download the “Pot” folder at https://github.com/brandondrury/LTspice-Libraries — Find your C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Documents\LTspiceXVII\lib\ folder— Place pot.asy in your “sym” folder. C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Documents\LTspiceXVII\lib\sym\— Place pot.sub in your “sub” folder. C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Documents\LTspiceXVII\lib\ sub\— Click the text tool. Select “SPICE Directive” … Read more
MIDI Test Code on Arduino and STM32 Blue Pill
This code turns the onboard PC13 LED of the STM32 Blue Pill on when a MIDI NoteOn message is received and turns the LED off when a MIDI Noteoff message is received. It’s my preferred way to confirm that a MIDI circuit is working. It relies on the Arduino MIDI Library.
Electronics Intuition…The Nasty Way
Developing intuition in electronics is tough. Resistors, capacitors, inductors, and diodes are all tricky dudes (and dudettes), but I’m hoping this video incorporates enough nastiness to make learning it easier.
Heating Bed and Nozzle Simultaneously On CR-10 In Cura
On my CR-10, the nozzle heats up and then the bed heats up. This seems like a waste of time particularly in that I need to make sure the first layer of the print goes down correctly. After that, I don’t care. This sequentially heating dramatically increases my time investment in a print. Warning: I’ve … Read more
Before You Decide On Hand-Soldered 0603 Capacitors
Before you decide to hand solder 0603 capacitors on your board……