Introduction: As a 3D printing enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for new techniques that can simplify the process and improve the quality of the end product. In this post, I want to share with you a recent discovery that I believe can be a game-changer for many projects: heat-set inserts. What are Heat-Set Inserts?…
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OLED LCD screen for your project
I’m probably not alone, but one thing I’ve loved since first being introduced to them is LCD screens. While most classes start off with basic line segment LCDs, the standard 20×4 character LCDs that used the Hitachi interface were revolutionary to me. However, they really forced me to take my programming and patience to another…
Search coils – measure that field and calibrate your equipment
Summary I can’t say how applicable the following is in general, but in my work magnetic field measurement is just a part of life. An area of knowledge that seems to become lost is the usefulness of a search coil. A search coil is just a simple coil of magnet wire in which the dimensions…
Sending UART data – COBS
When I first started considering how to send UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) data between a microcontroller and PC, my experience with Hyperterminal and ASCII came to mind. If I wanted to send a floating point number, I naturally gravitated towards converting it directly into a floating point number that could be sent via ASCII. For…
Primitives – Layers upon layers of building blocks
As a CTO, one of the most valuable experiences I can have is engaging in discussions with my peers. Last night, I had the pleasure of talking with Ken C., another CTO I greatly admire. During our conversation, Ken introduced me to the concept of “primitives,” which I was not previously aware of. Essentially, primitives…
Easy microcontroller (UART) to USB with FTDI
One area I haven’t prioritized for a long time is communication between microcontrollers and computers. I’ve long used Microchip’s PIC and dsPIC series, but the same is true for Arduino, Raspberry PI, etc. In each case, I tend to try to do my debugging within the provided IPE or whatever tool is provided by the…
Analog filter design
Overview of filters If it is not obvious, I think it is best to share that I’m an engineer. One area I have liked since being exposed at a deep level is filter design and applying this to conditioning electrical signals. Examples of why signals need filters include: Signals are often acquired by an analog…
One post at a time
I’m obviously just getting started, although cannot say this is my first post ever. The question is where to start. While there are countless blogs from those with computer science and web development backgrounds, I represent a different world of engineers being those with mechanical and electrical engineering backgrounds. Due to universities paying huge licensing…