Info regarding the iCREATE collaboration
As discussed the class, the optional problem for unit 4 is to build the circuit using the provided PCB and parts, and to design and manufacture a case which fits the PCB. Unfortunately, iCREATE is closed this semester, so the options are limited, but I leave the info here anyway, maybe its useful for you in the years to come.
The KiCad project with the design, as well as some additional information can be downloaded below.
The design of the case is up to you — when I designed the circuit, I thought the green LEDs could be the eyes of a Halloween-decoration, for example.
Further material
- KiCad project — select “unarchive project” in the file menu. It might ask about footprints for the BK-912 (coin cell holder) which are only in the cache. The default option will copy them to a local library. That should work. You can measure dimensions of the pcb via the measurement tool in the PCB editor. Note that there are two mounting holes which can be used to mount the PCB to your case. They are for M3 screws, but a 3d print might just have small pins which fit these holes.
- TinkerCAD
- OpenSCAD
- Cura (slicing software)
Information from iCREATE
iCREATE additionally provided this information:
3D Design of PCB
- To Design a case for a PCB we would recommend to look at:
PCB case designs on Thingiverse to browse: https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=pcb&dwh=125e594fd8d60da - Next step would be to select a Thingiverse model that has the “Customizer” ability, where the model can easily be modified within Thingiverse and downloaded directly. Example: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3588987
- For full customizability, the students can use Tinkercad to design and can view the learning modules provided by Tinkercad on their website: https://www.tinkercad.com/learn.
Two tutorials for TinkerCAD: Getting Started In Tinkercad, Tinkering with TinkerCAD
To 3D Print a model with iCREATE
iCREATE has two methods for classes:
- Students could get trained and utilize 3D printing Self Service in the iCREATE
Innovation Lab, where they would put their models on the printers themselves
but are limited to 4 hour prints. - The alternative is students could put their model on a queue where iCREATE
would print the models for them, we check the scale and ensure the print is
formatted correctly.