Make:

Technology on Your Time

• RSS

• Blog
• Make Magazine
• Videos/Podcasts
• Projects
• Forum/Community
• Maker Shed Store

Archive: Electronics

April 17, 2009

Sketching physical computing apps on the iPhone w/Dashcode and sensors

Tellart's NADA Mobile was launched a few months ago. Since then, the Tellart folks have released the source code under an open source license, so you can use it to build your own iPhone applications using Apple's Dashcode as your development environment:

NADA Mobile is a suite of applications, originated at Tellart in 2008, for running xhtml css javascript "sketches" of new applications. The sketches run on the iPhone/iPod Touch hardware but are even useful for prototyping things that aren't going to be iPhone apps. "Sketches" are generally built in Apple Dashcode, or just a text editor, and then uploaded to the RunSketch iPhone app using a desktop app called SketchServer.

NADA Mobile is an enhanced version of Mobile Safari that gives you access to the accelerometer, GPS, microphone--and can even be used to read the value of an external analog sensor attached to the device's mic input (without using a computer or a microcontroller).

I love the way they've integrated sensors into NADA Mobile. Like the external keyboard solution shown off by Perceptive Development in iPhone Hacks, Tellart uses the microphone in port. But instead of working with serial connections, Tellart's 1/8-inch Jack uses a simple design to read the value of variable resistors. Check out the instructions for talking to a sensor from NADA Mobile: Tutorial: Creating an Application Sketch w/ Sensor

Posted by Brian Jepson | Apr 17, 2009 11:00 AM
Electronics, iPhone | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

How-To: Laser-show lighter

Rog8811's managed to pack a green laser diode, mirrors, motor and battery into the slender form factor of a Zippo lighter - resulting in an extremely portable pattern projector. Very cool, and as you might imagine it involve a appropriately delicate construction -

For a spirograph pattern to be produced a minimum of 2 rotating mirrors are required. These were cut from an acylic mirror tile, it is important to get the hole dead centre, to do this I drilled a 0.5mm hole into a piece of 7mm diameter brass, stuck the back of the acrylic to this and turned to size in a lathe, (once stuck to a mandrel you can carve the mirror to size with a craft knife). Then use a pin chuck to drill into the acrylic from the back.

Surefire way to boost your popularity at all-night electro dance-athons! Check out the build pictorial for more on his process.


More:

Compact laser light show from computer salvage

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Apr 17, 2009 05:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

In the Maker Shed: TouchShield Stealth on sale now!

Add touch-screen control to your Arduino project! The TouchShield Stealth from the Maker Shed is an Arduino-ready 128×128 pixel OLED screen on a PCB shield that brings advanced I/O capabilities to the Arduino platform. This is the new Stealth Edition, which has an all-blacked out board that looks pretty slick on top of the dark blue Arduino. It's also higher quality, machine soldered and assembled, with a few internal trace re-routes to make it lighter, faster, and power-redundant. Compiling and uploading applications to the TouchShield is done through a one-click button in the Arduino Environment, making it easy to write awesome applications.

Get the TouchShield Stealth ON SALE NOW in the Maker Shed

In the Maker Shed:


Make: Arduino

Posted by Marc de Vinck | Apr 17, 2009 01:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Maker Shed Store | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

April 16, 2009

Arduino HVAC servo thermostat

Instructables user tikka308 writes:

Because HVAC units use a lot of energy (particularly when in 'air conditioning' mode during hot summer months) and renters do not have the ability to easily implement energy star (i.e. more efficient) units or to regulate their tempature, I wanted to find a way, without making permanent changes, to control an HVAC unit like a thermostat! Implementing this device can not only save you money, but can help maintain a more steady-temperature in your apartment, reduce energy consumption and help reduce the strain placed on our nations power grid during the hot summer months!

Posted by Becky Stern | Apr 16, 2009 07:09 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Electronics, Green, Instructables | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

April 15, 2009

Lost Knowledge: Homemade electronic components

The weekly Lost Knowledge column explores the possible technology of the future in the forgotten ideas of the past (and those slightly off to the side). Each Tuesday, we look at retro-tech, "lost" technology, and the make-do, improvised "street tech" of village artisans and tradespeople from around the globe. "Lost Knowledge" is also the theme of the current issue of MAKE, Volume 17 (on newsstands now)

---

In this installment of Lost Knowledge, we look at the arcane arts of homebrewing your own electronic components. This column was inspired by Collin's experiments with light-emitting diodes in his Make presents the LED video (see below). I thought it might be fun to collect some of the other homebrew component projects we've covered here on MAKE and that I could find elsewhere.

This is far from comprehensive. If you know of other cool projects of this nature, please add links in the Comments.

Diodes:

Collin's experiments with light-emitting properties in silicon carbide for his LED episode of Make presents.

Science and tech enthusiast Nyle Steiner's page detailing his experiments in building a negative resistance oscillator using a homemade tunnel diode.

Another diode experiment from Nyle Steiner, a homemade vacuum tube diode.

This is a follow up experiment from the report that I wrote previously about home evacuation of a vacuum tube. The next step is to make my own vacuum tube from scratch. This is my first attempt, a diode. The diode seems to work surprisingly well and makes the thought of putting a grid between the filament and the plate very encouraging.

 

Triodes

The undisputed king of homebrewed retro componentry is France's Claude Paillard and his made-from-scratch triodes. This guy is like some Franco-geek national treasure. His site is in French, but there's a link to Google Translation (for what that's worth). We've posted this video several times already, but it's worth posting again for anyone who missed it.

Read full story

Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Apr 15, 2009 04:30 PM
Electronics, Retro, Science | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Fabric bend sensor kit

Hanna Perner-Wilson just released a kit version of her fabric bend sensor- everything you need to make one yourself!

This is a kit, meaning that it comes unassembled and requires you to have tools and some regular sewing thread as well as about half an hour time for completion.

This kit contains:

* Two 2 x 12 cm pieces of 1.5 mm thick HS quality neoprene with polyester jersey fused to each side (gray, purple)

* Two 1.5 x 9.5 cm pieces of Velostat

* Two 1 x 2 cm pieces of stretch conductive fabric with fusible interfacing adhered to one side

* 60 cm of conductive thread

* 1:1 Instruction stencil printout on A4 paper

To compete this kit you will need:

* Regular clothing iron

* About 60 cm of regular sewing thread

* Sewing needle

* Scissors for cutting thread

* Knife for cutting out stencil

* Pen for marking stencil

You can use her Instructable as a guide to construction.

Posted by Becky Stern | Apr 15, 2009 07:11 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Instructables, Kits, Wearables | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Speak n' Spellbinder uber bent-strument

GetLoFi points out this rather mighty specimen of circuit bending - The Speak n' Spellbinder fuses
a Rock Band guitar controller with (of course) a Speak and Spell and supporting switches, pots, and pushbuttons - resulting in a plastic speech axe complete with tone triggers, pitch contol, whammy bar and more. The 'binder's creator, AJ Gannon,forged the instrument for use on his upcoming "Toy Volcano" album. Be sure to check out the build pics for more sound devices he's using on the record.

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Apr 15, 2009 05:30 AM
Electronics, Music | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Alcohol controlled Gakken SX-150

Zeni sent me this really interesting, and amusing, hack of the Gakken SX-150 from the Maker Shed. Just remember to, drink, mod, and create music, responsibly!

I've made a modification to the Gakken Analog Synthesizer SX-150. The interface for making sound with the original SX-150 is with a small stylus. I've added another interface (there is a selector for switching between the two interfaces) so that it is possible to control the SX-150 through alcohol. There is a sensor that is attached to the SX-150 that is sensitive to alcohol. You can either put the sensor near a source of alcohol or if you just drank alcohol, you can just breath on it. The sound is altered depending on the alcohol level.

Mores about the Alcohol controlled Gakken SX-15

In the Maker Shed:


Gakken SX-150 Analog Synthesizer Kit

More about Collin's review of the Gakken analog synth kit

Posted by Marc de Vinck | Apr 15, 2009 02:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Maker Shed Store, Mods, Music | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

April 14, 2009

Wireless inertial data glove using Arduino/Processing

Noah Zerkin sent us a vid to his current project. It's a wireless inertial data glove rig, built with an Arduino- and Processing-based motion capture system for use in creative interaction, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), etc. It's built entirely with parts from Sparkfun and RadioShack. He writes:

The thing that makes this special is how insanely inexpensive it was to build. The ultimate aim is to create a low-cost modular full-body interaction capture system for use in gaming, AR, and creative applications. The first commercial app I'm targeting for integration is Maya. After that, we'll look at integration with a game engine. I'm not sure what a glove/arm kit will cost, but it should be under $250 (Perhaps well under... we'll see... there are costs besides parts). Mass-production units would cost considerably less.

Augmentation

More:
Updated Power Glove with Bluetooth and Arduino

Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Apr 14, 2009 11:12 AM
Arduino, Computers, Electronics | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Compact LED matrix wearable

From the MAKE Flickr pool

Marcus had a vision of wearable space invaders and set forth to make it a reality -

The whole project was inspired by Alex, especially his LED matrix projector and his tiny 64 pixel project. After some beers with Alex I claimed: "I can do it much smaller in SMT". Silly me! Not that it was hard enough to build it in SMT, but I also wanted to do it in bi-color (I just got some small bi-color LED matrix laying around, waiting for a project) and I made some real design mistakes (but that is a story for another article). Additionally I wanted an design which still allows me to use the LEDs of the display as light sensor. That was nearly too much - but only nearly!

That's some pro-quality SMD soldering - very well done! Here's hoping that safety pin doesn't bridge any connections. (As the maker points out, the pin is soldered safely in place.) Read more of the project on Interactive Matter.

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Apr 14, 2009 06:00 AM
Electronics | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

In the Maker Shed: Haywired by Mike Rigsby

Haywired by Mike Rigsby was written for budding electronics hobbyists. It's filled with helpful hints on soldering, wire wrapping, and multi-meter use. Learn how to build and record a talking alarm, or craft your own talking greeting card. Construct a no-battery electric car toy that uses a super capacitor, or a flashlight that can be charged in minutes, then shine for 24 hours. Each project is described in step-by-step detail with photographs and circuit diagrams.

More about Haywired by Mike Rigsby

Posted by Marc de Vinck | Apr 14, 2009 01:00 AM
DIY Projects, Education, Electronics | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

How-To Tuesday: Surface mount soldering

Surface Mount Soldering

Techniques for making modern circuits.

By Scott Driscoll

Read full story

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Apr 14, 2009 01:00 AM
DIY Projects, Education, Electronics, Something I want to learn to do... | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

April 13, 2009

Environmental sensors from Futurlec

Futurlec makes these gas sensors in several varieties: CO2, alcohol (for breathalyzers), ozone, and "air quality" (several gases). They look relatively uncomplicated; anybody know what it would take to hook one of these up to an Arduino? Via Fashioning Technology.

Posted by Becky Stern | Apr 13, 2009 07:02 AM
Electronics | Permalink | Comments (11) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Pulsar mini-synth/sequencer

Inspired by the X0xb0x and it's predecessor, the Roland TB-303, comes Starfire's DIY mini-synth, the Pulsar, featuring -

• 16 step sequencer
  
• LCD info screen
  
• Saw and Square wave
  
• Adjustable gate
  
• Adjustable Tempo
  
• Adjustable Tone
  
• Switchable high pass and low pass filter.

The projects author aims to produce affordable kit from the design. Read more of his progress on the Starfire's Tech blog. [via Synthtopia]

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Apr 13, 2009 06:30 AM
Electronics, Music | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Arduino vs. Simon

From the MAKE Flickr pool

Carl decided to test the limits of the Open Source Electronic Game Kit by letting Arduino give it a go. He wired it up for proper control and after three hours of chip versus chip recorded the following …

Apologies - I suppose that's a bit of an ending-spoiler for all you hardcore gamers out there ;)
See more of the build in his photo set.

In the Maker Shed:


Build Your Own Electronic Game Kit

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Apr 13, 2009 04:00 AM
Arduino, Electronics, Gaming, Maker Shed Store | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Hacking tiny servos for continuous rotation

MAKE contributor and robotics author Tod Kurt put up this short video and how-to on hacking tiny, cheap servo motors for continuous rotation. Anyone who's done a lot of miniature robotics building probably knows the hardware hack to turn a regular servo motor into a continuous-rotation gearmotor, by removing the mechanical stop and the servo control PCB. Here, Tod is removing the stops (two here) and swapping out the potentiometer for 2 resistors on the PCB. What you end up with is a full-rotation, bi-directional gearmotor, with positional control, sort of like a low-precision stepper motor.

Tiny Servos as Continuous Rotation Gearmotors [via adafruit]

Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Apr 13, 2009 03:30 AM
Electronics, Robotics | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

In the Maker Shed: Gakken SX-150 Analog Synthesizer Kit

The Gakken SX-150 Analog Synthesizer Kit from the Maker shed is a really fun kit to build, mod, and hack. The first time I tried one out was at Maker Faire in 2008 and I was really impressed by the sound this little synth kit was able to produce.

Features:

• Size: 4.5" x 6"
  
• Controls for LFO, pitch envelope, frequency cutoff, resonance, and attack/decay
  
• Slide controller (pen type electrode)
  
• Output and external input 1/8" jacks
  
• Small built-in speaker
  
• Runs on 4 AA batteries (not included)
  

More about the Gakken SX-150 Analog Synthesizer Kit

Collin did an excellent video review of this cool little synth a while back on the blog. Check out the custom "pick" buttons he added to the stock kit.

More about Collin's review of the Gakken analog synth kit

Posted by Marc de Vinck | Apr 13, 2009 01:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Music | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

April 12, 2009

Circuit face bending

Here's a new twist on art, electricity, biology and music from Tokyo based dj Daito Manabe. His site is in Japanese and English, which helps a bunch.

Redefining the existent media and technologies from unique angles, I have been active in the various fields, such as art, design, and even research and development. I produce the output of sounds, images, and light through analyzing and transforming the numerical values gained from a various sensors and input devices.

This one seems to be an update on Laurie Anderson's album cover for United States Live, which included an early how-to for maker music fun in the liner notes. United States was worth setting up the turntable for another listen.

Check out Becky's intro to Daito Manabe's appearance at Dorkbot NY and Phillip's Pole dance - Strain sensor+ LED experiment.

Thanks Zach!

Posted by Chris Connors | Apr 12, 2009 01:00 AM
Arts, Culture jamming, DIY Projects, Electronics, Gadgets, Music, Science, Something I want to learn to do..., Wearables | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Maker Shed weekly wrap-up

Another week has passed and we introduced even more cool kits in the Maker Shed. Also, earlier in the week I made another Arduino 101 video. This time I focused on the Memsic Accelerometer. I had a lot of positive feedback, so keep an eye online for more Arduino how-to's.

How-to Tuesday: Arduino 101 Accelerometers

Read full story

Posted by Marc de Vinck | Apr 12, 2009 01:00 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Education, Electronics, Maker Shed Store | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

April 11, 2009

CRAFT Video: LilyPad Arduino Bike Patch

In this intermediate soft circuit tutorial, I show you how to make a light-up patch that can be used on your backpack for fun and bike safety. If you missed my LilyPad Arduino 101, you may want to watch that first. The theme of this year's Maker Faire is "Re-Make America" so I thought I'd add some red, white, and blue LEDs to my messenger bag. I added them to a removable patch (from the fatlab, an artist collective I'm part of) so I can easily remove it at the airport, in the rain, etc. I used a rechargeable lithium polymer batter to power the whole thing because it's flatter, lasts longer, and can be recharged instead of thrown away. I also made an Instructable where you can find links to all the supplies I used. You can download the source code and schematic for this project to get started on your own!

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, or download the m4v video.

In the Maker Shed:

Lilypad E-Sewing Kit

LilyPad Pro Kit

More:

CRAFT Video: LilyPad Arduino 101

Posted by Becky Stern | Apr 11, 2009 12:00 PM
Arduino, Crafts, DIY Projects, Electronics, MAKE Podcast, MAKE Video, Open source hardware, Wearables | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | Suggest a Site

Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!



Make: television is here! Visit makezine.tv or iTunes to see all the episodes.

Connect with MAKE

	MAKE on Facebook Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
	MAKE on Twitter Follow our MAKE tweets!
	MAKE on Flickr Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!

MAKE's RSS feed is here.
Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
How to add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.
Add MAKE on Twitter.
MAKE's fan page on Facebook.
Add MAKE on FriendFeed

Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!

Make: Online authors!

Gareth Branwyn, Chris Connors (guest author), Collin Cunningham, Marc de Vinck, Peter Horvath(intern), Kip Kay, Goli Mohammadi, John Park, Becky Stern, Jason Striegel, Phillip Torrone

Suggest a Site!

Current Podcast

Weekend Project: The Stealth Mic (PDF) Make a set of sneaky earbuds that record what you hear. They create a binaural effect when played back wearing headphones. Thanks go to Bill Byrne for the original article in MAKE, Volume 17.View the PDF of this project.... More...

Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:

Many thanks to everyone involved with Maker Faire in 2008! The attendees, makers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and crew...it was an AMAZING year! Over 1,000 Makers and 87,000+ attendees total! Be sure to check out the photos @ Flickr, and our Maker Faire posts for all the action! Tickets are now on sale for Maker Faire Bay Area, May 30th & 31st 2009!

Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog

• How-To: Canning Fruit
• How-To: Close a Seam With The Ladder Stitch
• How-To: Cardboard Laptop Case
• Roadkill Jewelry: The Art of April Hale
• Best of the CRAFT Pattern Podcast: Tie Top Tank by Nancy Flynn
• DIY Mosaic Wall