DHT Sensor for Gary

Gary the gecko gets a bit funny about his environment so we have to keep an eye on his temperature and humidity. We could have gone a purchased one but that would have been too easy! One ATMega328, home brewed PCB, LCD screen, DHT11 sensor and a laser cut case and we are away!

Not many notes on this one as the PCB creation was experimental and I will be writing it up fully later.

Anyway, here are some pictures.

More pics:

USB Microscope

We were lucky enough to be given a USB microscope this christmas so decided to try it out by soldering some Atmega8A in a TQFP32 package that we got REALLY cheap from China. We etched a breakout board using the vinyl on paper - laser print - heat transfer technique (we will write a post up about that later) and prepared to solder.

We realised they were small but hadn't realised HOW small!

More after the break

Ebay Listing

We have finally got round to starting to add some products to ebay, all laser cut of course. Ebay shop. So far we have quite a few home decor items which are great but the most interesting item is a Breadboard Component Holder.

More after the break

Halloween Monster Box

We normally throw a Halloween party in our house but this year we have managed to dodge the bullet friends of ours have volunteered to have a house full of over sugared children.

I couldn't leave it at that however so I have created a Monster Box for my sons to take with them and scare the other guests.

Pumpkin Toast!

Laser engraved (Toasted?) Pumpkin Toast!

Why?

Why not! It's Halloweeeeeeeeen!

Gecko Lid

We were given a large fish tank and instantly went on a hunt to find something to put in it (fish being dismissed as "boring"). In the end we decided on a Crested Gecko because of the habitat requirements mainly. He has no tail (we are suckers for disadvantaged) and we call him Gary!

Anyhoo...

Z Axis Prototype

Following on from the GRBL on a Boarduino post earlier we have started on the machine to attach it to!

After considering all sorts of options including a selective laser sintering 3D printer we have decided to start with a standard CNC Router with a bed of 1x0.5m. With this we will be able to cut, amongst other items, large model aircraft parts from carbon fibre sheet which we have had a number of requests for.

We have built the first prototype for the z axis and have already scrapped it for a lower friction, stiffer, longer travel version!

Images below: