..and we are back to (relatively) normal from an exciting and exhausting weekend at the Comic Expo. The update with many pictures coming soon!
We're working on some new Arduino projects. It's fun working on open-source hardware. Both these projects are out for manufacture now, so hopefully it will only be a few weeks until they are ready.
We love Phidgets. They have all kinds of useful sensors, to which most subscribe to a handy pinout "Ground / Vcc / Signal", which also describes most servo interfaces. It's turning into the general standard for most dedicated interfaces. So, to make use of these with an Arduino, we've put together our own GVS Shield.
We could have made it with a simple 3-row x 18 block of male pins, but that wouldn't fit the locking buckle-type connectors found on many Phidget and other accessory items. We're using nicely space, proper shielded pin plugs. Here are some design highlights:
Yes, the name was a challenge. They didn't think I'd have the guts to follow through with the name, but it's just so suitable.
This project is inspired by Kimio Kosaka's One Chip Arduino project, where he jams all the parts for an Arduino on top of the IC, and just plugs the IC into the breadboard directly.
This is an Arduino PCB designed reverse to most others. Instead of mounting the IC to the board, we're mounting the board to the IC (let me clarify...).
Put all the stuff on the top. Install looong leads through the rows on the outside edge. Jamb your ATMega328 in from the underside so the chip leads are pointing down, in the same direction os the long leads. Tack solder the chip leads to the long leads. Or not, if you think friction fit works.
Depending how you soldered the ATmega to the pins, you can either make it fit a 0.3" space header (where it straddles the breadboard centerline perfectly) or 0.4" wide (where it straddles the breadboard centerline, but uses up 1 extra empty hole next to the centerline).
Besides needing an FTDI cable, or SparkFun-like USB adapter/programmer, this will be a very inexpensive and compact way to do Arduino development. Stay tuned!
..and we are back to (relatively) normal from an exciting and exhausting weekend at the Comic Expo. The update with many pictures coming soon!
We'll be closed Thursday June 1st, as it is Canada Day! Ah, time to take off the snow-shoes and swim with the polar bears, and eat snow-cones with our Husky dogs to celebrate Canada's birthday! It's worth noting that we will be open on July 5 (most of you Americans get Monday off, right?).
In case if you want to contact us regarding orders, technical information, or questions, please use our new toll-free number: 1-866-276-2687 (1-866-B-ROBOTS). Now, just because it's toll-free for YOU doesn't mean it doesn't cost us nothing, so don't call just to ask me what time it is, ok? Ok. Thanks!
Due to scheduled maintenance by Canada Post on their Shipping and Tracking Web Services page we will be unable to provide shipping estimates between 7pm MDT on Saturday, June 11 and 12am MDT on Sunday, June 12. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.