Hi Guys! Hope you’re well today. I welcome you on board. In this post, I’ll walk you through How to Install PCBWay Plugin for FreeCAD PCB Software.
Before we move further and help you with the installation of the plugin, let’s get a brief introduction to the FreeCAD software.
FreeCAD is a free and open-source parametric 3D modeler used to design real-life objects. With parametric modeling, you can easily modify your design and change its parameters. The tool is mainly used in mechanical engineering for product design and also proves to be handy in electrical engineering for electronic board designs. It supports Windows, Linux and macOS operating systems. Python programming language is primarily used to extend the overall functioning of the software.
Hope you’ve got an idea of what FreeCAD is all about. Let’s get further and discuss How to Install the PCBWay Plugin for FreeCAD PCB Software.
FreeCAD allows you to design PCB boards and send the final layout to PCBWay for instant production.
First, we download and install the FreeCAD software then we’ll cover how to install the plugin. To download the software, go to the FreeCAD website and click the “Download Now” option as follows.
Click the “next” option to continue to install the software, as shown in the figure below.
When you click the “PCBWay” the plugin will be installed on the software. Now you can make PCB designs on the FreeCAD and send it right away to the PCBWay manufacturer for the production of your required electronic board.
PCBWay is the largest PCB manufacturer in China. It’s a one stop shop for your DIY projects, custom test equipment and the advanced electronic projects. Apart from manufacturing regular PCBs including single layer, double layer and multi-layer boards, they also offer other services like flexible PCBs, SMD stencils, advanced PCBs and PCBA (printed circuit board assembly).
Website is easy to navigate and runs well on both laptop and mobile screen. You can instantly get the quote and submit your Gerber files on the website. When you submit the order, you can see all the information about your orders on the dashboard, including the order status, progress of your boards and delivery updates.
First you need to put the parameters on the Instant Quote appearing on the website above the fold. Then you’ll see the following page. If you pick PCB assembly service, you are offered with three flexible options to choose from. If you pick “Turnkey” option, it means PCBWay will supply the parts. And if you pick “Kitted or Consigned” it means the customers will supply the parts. And the third option is a mix of both: some parts will be supplied by the customers and the remaining parts will be sourced by the company.
Customer service is great. All the representatives are responsive, highly professionals and well aware of the technical details of the electronic boards. Plus, if you find any defective piece, you can instantly get in touch with their aftersales team and they will guide you on the best possible solution. And if you find the dedicated service representative is not helpful, you can request the new agent by sending your request to service@pcbway.com or feedback@pcbway.com
If you want electronic boards in large numbers for your projects, then PCB panel is the option. PCBWay also offer PCB panel services where a single PCB design is replicated multiple times on a large board called panel. Individual boards are then depanelized from the main boards and are ready to be used in the project.
Once you click the Instant Quote from the main page, you’ll see the following page with the PCB panel option.
They pride themselves to maintain a 99% delivery rate. Some people complained about the late delivery. But know that delivery time mainly depends on the shipment service you choose and it’s not in their control once the product leaves the fabrication house. However, they make sure the product leaves the facility within the due date.
That’s all for today. Hope you find this article helpful. If you have any questions about installing the PCBWay plugin, you can ask me in the section below. I’d love to help you the best way I can. Thank you for reading the article.
Throughout our lives, we've relied on Radio and tv stations to keep us engaged. While we're on the subject of contradictions, it's also fair to say that these Stations can become tedious at times due to the RJ rambling on about nothing or annoying advertisements, and this may have left you wondering why you can't own a Radio station to broadcast your data over short distances.
Almost any electronics technician uses coils and other hardware to make an FM transmitter, although the tuning process is time-consuming and difficult. Setting up your FM station and going live in your neighborhood shouldn't take more than 30 minutes using an RPi. If you use the right antenna, you must be able to transmit to your school or community within 50 meters. Wow, that's interesting! So, let's get started right now.
Caution: This project is an education project and should not be abused in any way that might harm or inconvenience anyone. Interfering with neighboring FM frequencies is illegal, so please exercise caution when using this feature. In the event of any mishaps, we take no responsibility for them.
| Where To Buy? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Components | Distributor | Link To Buy | |
| 1 | Jumper Wires | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 2 | Raspberry Pi 4 | Amazon | Buy Now | |
Raspberry Pi
Internet connection
Microphone
An enthusiastic RJ
Your RPi should already be running an os and be able to establish a network connection. If you haven't done so already, go through the instructions on how to use a raspberry pi.
A virtual server such as VNC, or a putty terminal window, is assumed to be accessible to you at all times. For the sake of this tutorial, we will run the program on RPi using the putty terminal session.
A method or procedure known as FM involves changing the carrier signal frequencies to match the frequencies of the modulated signal to encode information on a specific signal. Since data must be conveyed after being transformed into an electrical signal, a modulation signal is simply that.
A carrier's signal is transformed by an original signal in the modulation technique, which uses a methodology similar to amplitude modulation. On the other hand, FM maintains or maintains a steady signal loudness.
Fm is primarily used to decrease noise as well as the size of antennae, respectively. We know that a bigger antenna is required to send reduced frequency signals, whereas a smaller one is necessary to broadcast high-frequency signals.
Therefore, the sound signals are transformed into high-frequency radio waves and broadcast using the FM technique. Once more, the demodulation circuit on the receiver's side converts the high-frequency radio transmission frequency into the original understandable audio signal.
There is little interference since different signals are transmitted over a specific channel using separate wavelengths. So many folks can converse simultaneously and unhindered in a large metropolis.
The construction of a long-range FM transmitter has long been on my bucket list of cool things. I've been so intrigued by some of the transmitter's uses, particularly since I was a kid, and spent much of my time fantasizing about how awesome it would be to have a few of the technology and technologies used in espionage movies. So lately, while reviewing one of my residence automation projects by using RPi and the motion package library, I felt it would be cool to add audio to the deliverable and stream live, so in addition to the multimedia feedback provided by the RPi, I could also get sound feedback out from area under monitoring. Even while this FM transmitter would not let me hear distantly (a range exceeding 10 kilometers), it will at least enable me to maintain an "ear" on events while I am about the property; then, after building it, I would have accomplished a few of the objectives that the younger me had set out to attain. It took me a few days ago, but I eventually got the motivation to make one, and I'll show you how to do it in today's post.
To avoid violation of policies of some countries, this experiment is being conducted solely for educational and scientific purposes. Keep the FM transmission at a low range and make sure it is built in compliance with applicable laws of one’s nation and therefore does not induce a disruption to others. This is essential. For any mishaps, I take no responsibility.
Using the concepts of the modulated signal, an FM transmitter can transmit the audio it receives from its input. Most FM transmitters are constructed in the manner depicted in the diagram below.
An amplification is frequently included in the transmitters because the transmission power of audio input is relatively low. This is done by utilizing an oscillator component to produce the carrier signal, which is then combined with an audio stream to generate a modulated signal that can be transmitted. When it comes to communicating, the low-impedance modulation signal is fed via a power amplifier to get to the antenna.
The electrical component should be connected as illustrated in the following FM transmitter diagram.
In this photo, you can see the prototype version of the FM radio transmitter.
The first transistors amplify the mic's output signals to a level suitable for transmission because the mic's output waveform is typically modest. In addition to amplification, the transmitter must also modulate. After that, the boosted audio signal is combined with the desired transmission carrier frequency to create a final signal. Because there is no visible output to identify the precise frequency where the transmitters are working, you may need to modify the FM transceiver radio well within the frequency range stated above to get the transmission frequency. This carrier signal can be differed using a 20pF capacitor attached to the inductor. The traditional spectral range of this specific design would be between 88MegaHeartz and 108MegaHertz. Once the carrier signal has modulated the audio signal, it is sent to the antenna, where it is received.
The resistors and capacitors used aren't set in stone, so you can experiment with them to get the best performance out of the transmitters.
Several other uses for this design aren't mentioned above, such as baby monitors or school address systems. Before constructing any of those practical items, please remember to check your local laws.
How can RPi, a board designed to serve as a development platform for microprocessors, do all of this? What if I don't need extra hardware to use the board as an FM station?
To prevent interference problems, each CPU will have a synchronized digital device. A signal known as a Spread-spectrum system clock, or SSCS is responsible for this Electromagnetic interference suppression. This frequency ranges from 1 MegaHeartz to 250 MegaHeartz, which fortunately fits well within the FM spectrum. We can make the Pi become an FM broadcaster by developing some code that uses the spread-spectrum clock frequency to modulate the frequencies. The Rpi Pi's GPIO pin 4 is where the frequency modulation will be sent. To use this pin as an antenna, we need a piece of standard wire attached to it no longer than 20 cm in length.
Otherwise, read on for instructions on accessing your pi through the Command window if you haven't already done so. Boot Raspberry Pi with an HDMI connection to a display and an input device once you've installed a new operating system.
Link your Raspberry to the network by searching for a network option on the Raspberry desktop. Then go to the raspberry menu, click raspberry settings, and activate the SSH connection afterward. On your Windows or MAC computer, reconnect your computer to the same network as your Raspberry Pi so that both devices may communicate with each other on the local area network. You're ready to begin now that you've had Putty installed and running. Enter the Raspberry Pi's Internet protocol address and press enter. If you don't know your PI's Internet address, go to the admin side of your router and see if it's 192.168.43.XXX or something similar. An open command prompt will appear and ask for your login and passcode if all is done correctly. The default login and passcode are pi and Raspberry, respectively. Press Enter to see the next screen after entering it.
GitHub provides the code needed to turn the Raspberry into a radio station. This page can be cloned directly into Raspberry; the application can be compiled and launched if you understand how to do so. Just follow the instructions below, and you'll be transmitting your audio files in no time.
Set up a new directory for our software files and put them there. Create a new guide by typing 'mkdir RPI FM' inside the command prompt, and then enter the folder using the word 'cd.'
mkdir PI_FM
cd PI_FM
We must now copy the application from GitHub and place it in the folder we just made. Since we've previously moved inside the folder, we can run the following command below to complete the task.
sudo git clone https://github.com/markondej/fm_transmitter
We'll need a C compiler and other tools to run the C program we just acquired. GCC and G++ are the tools for this code, and the software for compiling them is termed make. To obtain compilers, enter the code shown below. Once the file is downloaded, your display will appear like the one below.
sudo apt-get install GCC g++ make
Compiling the code is now a cinch. You can do this by going into the folder using the change directory 'cd' FM transmitter and then compiling the script with root user 'sudo make .'The screen below should appear once your code has been successfully compiled.
cd fm_transmitter
sudo make
Launching the system is the last step. The intensity for which we would like to transmit, and the identity of the audio recording we would like to play must be specified when the program is launched. Star wars.wav is the default sound file that will be retrieved together with the code. We'll play the Movie Theme song at a 100megahertz frequency for testing purposes. The launch line's syntactic structure is:
sudo ./fm_transmitter [-f frequency] [-r] filename
The channel will be 100 MegaHeartz long because we need to play the movie file at that frequency.
sudo ./fm_transmitter -f 100 -r star_wars.wav
After you have started the application and you see the playback message as seen above, we may link an antenna to a Gpio 4 of Raspberry, I use a standard connecting wire, and it works perfectly for me.
Take a Radio, then set it to 100MegaHeartz channel, and you'll be able to listen to the movie music being aired. After making sure it works, you may switch out the movie theme with any other music or audio recording you choose and broadcast it with the same instructions as in step 5.
While playing pre-recorded audio clips is entertaining, using this Pi 4 FM broadcast live audio would be much more enticing. With the help of the same tool, this is also possible. Just plug a mic into the Raspberry Pi's USB connection and modify the startup command-line interface. For additional information on this, please visit the GitHub homepage. Use the comment section of the forums if you run into any issues getting this to function.
When it comes to frequency modulation uses, radio transmission dominates the list. Due to its higher signal-to-noise ratios, it provides a significant advantage in a radio broadcast. That is, there is little radio wave interference as a result. This is the fundamental justification for why so most radio stations choose to transmit music via FM.
Furthermore, many of its applications can be found in telematics, geophysical prospecting, EEG, various radio technologies, music creation, and devices used for broadcasting video. Fm offers a significant benefit over all other modulations in a radio broadcast. It will resist radio wave disruptions far better than an equally powerful modulation amplitude (AM) signal because it has a higher signal-to-noise ratio. The majority of music is aired through FM radio for this important reason.
Radio transmission frequently uses pulse modulation technology. Each radio broadcast station has its frequency range, and all broadcaster station signals are sent over the same transmission system. We can adjust the Radio's tuning to link it to a specific radio channel.
Our pc connections also employ pulse modulation technology.
The pulse modulation method is employed in magnetic storage tape recording systems.
Radio Detecting And Range (RADAR) systems employ the pulse modulation approach.
Multimedia content communications, including voice/video broadcasts, also use pulse modulation technology. Most of the time, the sound is delivered over FM, and occasionally, the film is as well.
The modulated signal generates an electrical impulse for usage in electronic instruments.
The monitoring system also makes use of FM technology.
Audio is synthesized by using the FM technology in pc sound adapters.
Military communication systems like Walkie-Talkies employ pulse modulation technology.
Additionally, Bluetooth and Zigbee communications technology utilize the FM method.
The Broadcasting method is also employed in ambulance systems.
The satellite radio technology uses FM technology.
Due to its low electronic noise, this FM method is employed in two-way radio transmission.
Low noise distortion
A smaller antenna is needed for pulse modulation equipment.
The pulse modulation platform's can be built to consume little power. This is a significant benefit of the modulation technique.
The pulse modulation process is more efficient because the signal's amplitude is always consistent.
The frequencies modulation circuit has many intricate parts.
A carrier wave is required for the frequency modulation process.
Amplification modulation is appropriate for long transmission lines, while FM is not.
In this article, we have learned how to create a radio station using a raspberry pi 4 with a few very simple steps. We have broadcasted a Star Wars movie theme through this system, and now you can try many other forms of data to broadcast, including video and live sound using a mic to get more familiar with the system. The next tutorial will teach us how to build a temperature log.
Thank you for joining us for yet another session of this series on Raspberry Pi programming. In the previous tutorial, we built a motion sensor-based security system with an alarm. Additionally, we discovered how to use Twilio to notify the administrator whenever an alarm is triggered. However, in this tutorial, we'll learn how to build a stop motion film system using raspberry pi 4.
| Where To Buy? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Components | Distributor | Link To Buy | |
| 1 | Breadboard | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 2 | Jumper Wires | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 3 | Raspberry Pi 4 | Amazon | Buy Now | |
With a Raspberry Pi, Py, and a pi-camera module to capture images, you can create a stop-motion animated video. In addition, we'll learn about the various kinds of stop motion systems and their advantages and disadvantages.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to using LEGO to create animations!
Using your RPi to build a stop motion machine, you'll discover:
How to install and utilize the picamera module on the RPi
This article explains how to take photos with the Picamera library.
RPi GPIO Pushbutton Connection
Operate the picamera by pressing the GPIO pushbutton
How to use avconv to create a video clip from the command prompt
Raspberry Pi 4
Breadboard
Jumper wires
Button
It is recommended that FFmpeg comes preconfigured on the most recent release of Raspbian. If you don't have it, launch the terminal then type:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt install FFmpeg
Inanimate things are given life through the use of a sequence of still images in the stop-motion cinematography technique. Items inside the frame are shifted slightly between every picture to create the illusion of movement when stitched together.
You don't need expensive gadgets or Graphics to get started in stop motion. That, in my opinion, is the most intriguing aspect of it.
If you've ever wanted to learn how to make a stop-motion video, you've come to the right place.
Product Animation can also be referred to as the frame-by-frame movement of things. You're free to use any items around you to tell stories in this environment.
Changing clay items in each frame is a key part of the claymation process. We've seen a lot of clever and artistic figures on the big screen thanks to wires and clay.
Making folks move! It is rarely utilized. For an artist to relocate just a little each frame, and the number of images you would need, you'll need a lot of patience and possibly a lot of money, if you're hiring them to do so.
The degree of freedom and precision with which they can move is also an important consideration. However, if done correctly, this kind can seem cool, but it can also make you feel a little dizzy at times.
One can do so much with cuts in cutout motion because of this. two-dimensional scraps of paper may appear lifeless, yet you may color & slice them to show a depth of detail.
It's a lot of fun to play about with a cartoon style, but it also gives you a lot more control over the final product because you can add your graphics and details. However, what about the obvious drawback? I find the task of slicing and dicing hundreds of pieces daunting.
Having puppets can be a fun and creative way to tell stories, but they can also be a pain in the neck if you're dealing with a lot of cords. However, this may be a challenge for professional stop motion filmmakers who are not the greatest choice to work with at first. These puppets are of a more traditional design.
When animators use the term "puppet" to describe their wire-based clay character, they are referring to claymation as a whole. Puppets based on the marionette style are becoming less popular.
Position the items or performers behind a white sheet and light their shadows on the sheet with a backlight. Simple, low-cost methods exist for creating eye-catching animations of silhouettes.
The duration takes to create a stop-motion video is entirely dependent on the scale and nature of your project. Testing out 15- and 30-second movies should only take an hour or two. Because of the complexity of the scenes and the usage of claymation, stop-motion projects can take days to complete.
You must first attach the camera to the Pi before it can begin rebooting.
Next to Ethernet, find the camera port. Take a look at the top.
The blue side of the strip should face the Ethernet port when it is inserted into the connector. Push that tab downward while keeping the ribbon in place.
Use the app menu to bring up a command prompt. The following command should be typed into the terminal:
libcamera-hello
If all goes well, you'll see a sneak peek of what's to come. What matters is that it's not upside-down; you can fix it afterward. To close the preview, hit Ctrl + C.
For storing an image on your computer, run the command below:
libcamera-jpeg -o test.jpg
To examine what files are in your root folder, type ls in the command line and you'll see test.jpg among the results.
Files and folders will be displayed in the taskbar's file manager icon. Preview the image by double-clicking test.jpg.
There is no default way to make Python Picamera work with Raspbian newest version.
To make use of the camera module, one must activate the camera's legacy mode.
The command below must be entered into a command window:
sudo raspi-config
When you get to Interface Options, hit 'Enter' on your keyboard to save your changes.
Ensure that the 'Legacy Camera option is selected then tap the 'Return' key.
Select Yes using the pointer keys and hit the 'Return' key.
Repeat the process of pressing 'Return' to verify.
Click on Finish with your mouse cursor buttons.
To restart, simply press the 'Return' key.
Py IDLE can be accessed from the menu bar.
While in the menu, click Files and then New Window to launch a Python code editor.
Paste the code below paying attention to the capitalization with care into the newly opened window.
from picamera import PiCamera
from time import sleep
camera = PiCamera()
camera.start_preview()
sleep(3)
camera.capture('/home/pi/Desktop/image.jpg')
camera.stop_preview()
Using the File menu, choose Save Animated film.
Use the F5 key to start your program.
You should be able to locate image.jpg on your desktop. It's as simple as clicking it twice to bring up a larger version of the image.
It's possible to fix an upside-down photo by either repositioning your picamera with a camera stand or by telling Python to turn the picture. Adding the following lines will accomplish this.
camera.rotation = 180
Once the camera is set to PiCamera(), the following is the result:
from picamera import PiCamera
from time import sleep
camera = PiCamera()
camera.rotation = 180
camera.start_preview()
sleep(3)
camera.capture('/home/pi/Desktop/image.jpg')
camera.stop_preview()
A fresh photo with the proper orientation will be created when the file is re-run. Do not remove these lines of code from your program when making the subsequent modifications.
Hook the Raspberry Pi to the pushbutton as illustrated in the following diagram with a breadboard and jumper wires:
Pushbutton may be imported at the beginning of the program, attached to pin17, and the sleep line can be changed to use the pushbutton as a trigger in the following way:
from picamera import PiCamera
from time import sleep
from gpiozero import Button
button = Button(17)
camera = PiCamera()
camera.start_preview()
button.wait_for_press()
camera.capture('/home/pi/image.jpg')
camera.stop_preview()
It's time to get to work!
Soon as the new preview has begun, press the pushbutton on the Pi to take a picture.
If you go back to the folder, you will find your image.jpg there now. Double-click to see the image once more.
For a self-portrait, you'll need to include a delay so that you can get into position before the camera board takes a picture of you. Modifying your code is one way to accomplish this.
Before taking a picture, put in a line of code that tells the program to take a little snooze.
camera.start_preview()
button.wait_for_press()
sleep(3)
camera.capture('/home/pi/Desktop/image.jpg')
camera.stop_preview()
It's time to get to work.
Try taking a selfie by pressing the button. Keep the camera steady at all times! It's best if it's already mounted somewhere.
Inspect the photo in the folder once more if necessary. You can snap a second selfie by running the application again.
This is made easier with the aid of a well-designed setup. To avoid blurry photos due to camera shaking, you will most likely want to use a tripod or place your camera on a flat surface.
If you don't press the push button every time, your stop-motion movie will appear the best. To get the camera to snap a picture, use a wireless trigger.
Maintain your shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and white balance same for every photo you shoot. There are no "auto" settings here. You have the option of selecting and locking the app's configurations first. As long as your preferences remain consistent throughout all of your photos, you're good to go. The configurations will adapt automatically as you keep moving the items, which may cause flickering from image to image if you leave them on auto.
It's ideal to shoot indoors because it's easier to regulate and shields us from the ever-changing light. Remember to keep an eye out for windows if you're getting more involved. Try using a basic lighting setup, where you can easily see your items and the light isn't moving too much. In some cases, some flickering can be visible when you're outside of the frame. Other times the flickering works well with animation, but only if it does so in a way that doesn't disrupt the flow of the project.
You do not get extremely technical with this in the beginning, but you'll need to understand how many frames you'll have to shoot to achieve the series you desire. One sec of the film is typically made up of 12 images or frames. If your video is longer than a few secs, you risk seeming like a stop motion animation.
When you're filming your muted stop motion movie, you can come up with creative ways to incorporate your sound later.
The next step is to experiment with creating a stop motion video using a collection of still photos that you've captured with the picamera. Note that stills must be saved in their folder. Type "mkdir animation" in the command line.
When the button is pushed, add a loop to your program so that photographs are taken continuously.
camera.start_preview()
frame = 1
while True:
try:
button.wait_for_press()
camera.capture('/home/pi/animation/frame%03d.jpg' % frame)
frame += 1
except KeyboardInterrupt:
camera.stop_preview()
break
Since True can last indefinitely, you must be able to gently end it. If you use Ctrl + C to force it to end, the picamera preview will collapse and the loop will be terminated because it is using try-except.
Files stored as "frame" with a three-digit number preceded by a leading zero (009,005.) are known as "frame" files because of the % 03d format. This makes it simple to arrange them in the proper sequence for the video.
To capture each following frame, simply push the button a second time once you've finished rearranging the animation's main element.
To kill the program, use Ctrl + C when all the images have been saved.
Your image collection can be viewed in the folder by opening the animation directory.
To initiate the process of creating the movie, go to the terminal.
Start the movie rendering process by running the following command:
FFmpeg -r 10 -i animation/frame%03d.jpg -qscale 2 animation.mp4
Because FFmpeg and Py recognize the percent 03d formatting, the photographs are sent to the movie in the correct sequence.
Use vlc to see your movie.
vlc animation.mp4
The renderer command can be edited to change the refresh rates. Try adjusting -r 10 to a different value.
Modify the title of the rendered videos to prevent them from being overwritten. Modify animation.h264 to a different file to accomplish this.
Corporations benefit greatly from high-quality stop motion films, despite the effort and time it takes to produce them. One of these benefits is that consumers enjoy sharing these movies with friends, and their inspiring content can be associated with a company. Adding this to a company's marketing strategy can help make its product extra popular and remembered.
When it comes to spreading awareness and educating the public, stop motion films are widely posted on social media. It's important to come up with an original idea for your stop motion movie before you start looking for experienced animators.
In the early days of filmmaking, stop motion was mostly employed to give animated characters the appearance of mobility. The cameras would be constantly started and stopped, and the multiple images would all be put together to tell a gripping story.
It's not uncommon to see films employ this time-honored method as a tribute to the origins of animations. There's more, though.
In the recent resurgence of stop motion animations, strange and amazing props and procedures have been used to create these videos. Filmmakers have gone from generating stop motion with a large sheet of drawings, to constructing them with plasticine figures that need to be manually manipulated millimeters at a time, and to more esoteric props such as foodstuffs, domestic objects, and creatures.
Using this technique, you can animate any object, even one that isn't capable of moving by itself. A stop-motion movie may be made with anything, thus the options are practically limitless.
A wide range of material genres, from educational films to comedic commercials, is now being explored with stop motion animation.
When it comes to creating marketing and instructional videos, stop motion animations is a popular choice due to their adaptability. An individual video can be created.
Although the film is about five minutes long, viewers are likely to stick with it because of its originality. The sophisticated tactics employed captivate the audience. Once you start viewing this stop motion video, it's impossible to put it down till the finish.
It's easy to remember simple but innovative animations like these. These movies can assist a company's image and later recall be more positive. Stop motion video can provoke thought and awe in viewers, prompting them to spread the creative message to their social networks and professional contacts.
It is becoming increasingly common for organizations of all kinds to include stop-motion animations in their advertisements.
Stop-motion films can have a positive impact on both education and business. Employees, customers, and students all benefit from using them to learn difficult concepts and methods more enjoyably. Stop motion filmmaking can liven up any subject matter, and pupils are more likely to retain what they've learned when it's done this way.
Some subjects can be studied more effectively in this way as well. Using stop motion films, for instance, learners can see the entire course of an experiment involving a slow-occurring reaction in a short amount of time.
Learners are given a stop motion assignment to work on as a group project in the classroom. Fast stop motion animation production requires a lot of teamwork, which improves interpersonal skills. Some learners would work on the models, while others might work on the backdrops and voiceovers, while yet others might concentrate on filming the scenes and directing the actors.
The usage of stop motion movies can be utilized to explain product uses rapidly, even though the application of the device and the output may take a while. You can speed up the timeline as much as you want in stop motion animations!
For safety and health demonstrations or original sales demonstrations, stop motion instructional films may also be utilized to effectively express complex concepts. Because of the videos' originality, viewers are more likely to pay attention and retain the content.
Some incredibly creative music videos have lately been created using stop motion animations, which has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. Even the human body could be a character in this film.
Stop-motion animations have the potential to be extremely motivating. Sometimes, it's possible to achieve it by presenting things in a novel way, such as by stacking vegetables to appear like moving creatures. The sky's the limit when it comes to what you can dream up.
When it comes to creating a stop motion movie, it doesn't have to be complicated. If you don't have any of these things in your possession, you'll need to get them before you can begin filming. However, if you want to create a professional-level stop motion film, you'll need to enlist the help of an animation company.
As a marketing tool, animated videos may be highly effective when they are created by a professional team.
The story of a motion-capture movie is crucial in attracting the attention of audiences, so it should be carefully planned out before production begins. It should be appropriate for the video's intended audience, brand image, and message. If you need assistance with this, consider working with an animation studio.
But there are several drawbacks to the overall process of stop motion filmmaking, which are difficult to overcome. The time it takes to create even a min of footage is the most remarkable. The time it takes to get this film might range from a few days to many weeks, depending on the approach used.
Additionally, the amount of time and work that is required to make a stop-motion movie might be enormous. This may necessitate the involvement of a large team. Although this is dependent on the sort of video, stop motion animating is now a fairly broad area of filmmaking, which can require many different talents and approaches.
Using the Raspberry Pi 4, you were able to create a stop-motion movie system. Various stop motion technologies were also covered, along with their advantages and disadvantages. After completing the system's basic functions and integrating additional components of your choice, you're ready to go on to the next phase of programming. Using raspberry pi 4 in the next article, we will build an LED cube.
Hello friends, all of us know that PLCs are nothing but the smartest migration from relay logic control to programmable logic control. Also, you know clearly that, logic is the heart of any programming language, and the same is applied to ladder logic programming. Bitwise operators represent the logical operations including the basic logical operations like AND, OR, and NOT and the derived logical operations like NAND, NOR, and XOR. in most cases, for each bitwise operator, there are inputs based on which the output can be decided. Some of these bitwise operators have two inputs and some have only one input. In this article, we are going to present how we can use these bitwise logical operators and their instructions with examples and practice using the PLC simulator.
Despite we have talked about these, basics and concepts in one of our articles, we have seen it’s good to remind you briefly that basic is the ground for your foot to stand coding logical operations in ladder logic programming. for defining a logical operation, there is a truth table that shows the combinations of the inputs and the resulting output. For example, the bitwise operator that has only one input like “NOT”, has only two possible value for input which is high or low, True or False. And it has one output which is the negate of the input. So it is either TRUE or FALSE. To sum up, for every bitwise operator instruction, we are going to discuss its truth table showing the states of the possible combinations of its inputs and the resulting output as well. In addition, one example using ladder logic programming shows the operation practically. We come to see it is important to list the bitwise operators in table 1 below shows the inputs, output, and the symbol of the logical gate that is equivalent to that bitwise operator.
Table 1: the bitwise operator list
The bitwise operator |
Inputs |
Output |
AND |
2 |
1 |
OR |
2 |
1 |
NOT |
1 |
1 |
NAND |
2 |
1 |
NOR |
2 |
1 |
XOR |
2 |
1 |
Guys, we can see the truth table of the AND instruction as tabulated in table 2. It shows the operator has two operands input A, and input B, and one output. The inputs can be switches, sensors i.e. limit switch for example while the output is a digital output to switch one actuator i.e. motor.
Input A |
Input B |
Output |
False |
False |
False |
True |
False |
False |
False |
True |
False |
True |
True |
True |
Also, Fig. 1 shows the symbol of the AND gate which is equivalent to AND bitwise operator. It shows two inputs A and B and only one output. Let us see that practically in ladder logic programming showing how to implement this with example.
Figure 2 shows our first simple rung that codes the logic of AND bitwise logic. It shows two contacts A and B are connected in series to decide output AND-RES based on AND logic shown in truth table 2. So let us go .simulating this thing we just coded and see the logic in the application.
We typically have 4 cases according to the truth table. Figure 3 shows the case when inputs A and B are low. The output shows low as shown by the coil AND-RES.
Now let us switch on input A and keep the second operand B false as shown in fig. 4, output AND-RES output still off.
So let us try to switch the other input, B ON, and set input A off, as shown in fig. 5 output is off as represented by coil M0.2, tag AND-RES.
At last, when both inputs A and B are ON as in Fig. 6. Now only the output comes to turn ON.
Guys!, you know for sure have got to know that, with AND logic, for having the output turned high both inputs A and B must be high.
Ladder logic in Siemens and most other brands offer the facility to perform AND between byte, word, and Double word memory space as shown in Fig. 7 shows the AND block.
Figure 8 shows the usage of AND block for byte data type and it is possible to do the same with a word or double word data type. The instruction block applies to byte, word, and double word data types. However, for showing one example, Fig. 8. Shows the process of byte datatype. It shows the inputs A and B represented by memory bytes MB1 and MB2 while the output is represented by MB3. The operation shown in Fig, 8, can show the AND logic between two bytes that hold values “10001110” and “00001111” so the output represented by MB3 shows the value “00001110”.
This logic gate has two inputs and one output like the “AND” gate. Like its name, the output comes true when either input A or input B comes true as shown in Fig. 4.
Table 3 lists the truth table of the “OR” gate. It lists all possible combinations of inputs and the output status as well. It shows that the output comes to true when input A or input B comes to true.
Input A |
Input B |
Output |
False |
False |
False |
True |
False |
True |
False |
True |
True |
True |
True |
True |
Figure 10 depicts the very simple rung of ladder logic that represents OR bitwise operation. It shows two inputs A and B connected in two parallel branches to give the output. So let us simulate that very OR code and apply the cases listed in the truth table in table 3.
Typically as listed in table 3, the output is low when both inputs are OFF as shown in Fig. 11.
Ohh, you can see output comes ON when input A is ON and input B is OFF as shown in Fig. 12.
Also, output comes ON when input B is ON and input A is OFF as shown in Fig. 13.
Also, you can see output comes ON when both inputs A and B are ON as shown in Fig. 14.
That concludes two things guys, in OR bitwise logic, for having output ON, there must be at least one of the inputs High.
Ladder logic in Siemens and most other brands offer the facility to perform OR between byte, word, and Double word memory space as shown in Fig. 15 shows the AND block.
Figure 16 shows the usage of OR block for byte data type and it is possible to do the same with a word or double word data type. The instruction block applies to byte, word, and double word data types. However, for showing one example, Fig. 16. Show the process of byte datatype. It shows the inputs A and B represented by memory bytes MB1 and MB2 while the output is represented by MB3. The operation shown in Fig, 15, can show the OR logic between two bytes that hold values “00001111” and “11110000” so the output represented by MB3 shows the value “11111111”.
This logic gate has only one input and one output. In a very simple language, the output is the inverted logic of the input. So when the input is true, the output would come to false and vice versa as shown in Fig. 17.
Table 4 lists the truth table rows of all possible combinations of input and output.
Input |
Output |
True |
False |
False |
True |
Figure 18 depicts a very simple example of a ladder logic rung that shows the output “NOT-A” is the negate logic of the input A.
Now let's simulate the two cases listed in table 4 when inputs A is high and when it is low as well. Figure 19 and 20 show the output is the negate of the input using the NOT bitwise logic.
Now Guys we have gone through the basic bitwise logic. So how about the other bitwise logic that is formed by combining these basic bitwise operators like XNOR? let us simulate XNOR.
XNOR is the negative logic of OR bitwise or you can name it as NOT-OR. Table 5 lists the combination of its two inputs and its output. It shows clearly that, the output becomes true when inputs are equal i.e. both inputs are true or both are false. Yes! Exactly, that’s why this bitwise operation is used when we need to compare two inputs if they are equal or not.
Input A |
Input B |
Output |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Figure 21 shows the symbol of the “XNOR” logic gate showing inputs and output of the bitwise operation.
On the other hand, Fig. 22 shows a sample ladder logic of an “XNOR” logic gate implementation. It shows that there are only two ways to have the output in a TRUE state which are by set both inputs TRUE or setting both FALSE. So let us apply this to our simulator and test cases listed in table 5.
Figure 23 shows the test of simulating XNOR when both inputs are low. You can notice friends that output comes to high.
The same thing when both inputs are high, outputs show high as shown in Fig. 24.
Ohh, you can see when one input is not matched with the other that leads to low logic of the output. That concludes the XNOR gives a high logic output when only both inputs have the same logic; otherwise, it gives a low if they are different.
Before naming the next tutorial, I would like to let you know that there are many other bitwise operators like XOR, NAND, NOR, etc. this bitwise logic can be programmed in the same scenario we demonstrated above. Now, let me tell you that the next tutorial will be about one of the most important instructions ever in the PLC that will ease the data transfer between memory locations including all data types bytes, word, Dword, etc. it is the MOVE instruction in ladder logic. So be there to learn and practice that good one.
Hi friends, today we are going to learn a good technique to run multi outputs in sequence. In another word, when we have some output that is repeatedly run in sequence. In the normal or conventional technique of programming we deal with them individually or one by one which takes more effort in programming and much space of memory. So instead we can use a new technique to trigger these outputs in sequence using one instruction which will save the effort of programming and space of memory. In this article, we are going to introduce how to implement sequencer output instruction. And practice some examples with the simulator as usual. Before starting the article, we need to mention that, some controllers like Allen Bradley have sequencer output instruction and some has not like Siemens. So we are going to give one example for each case showing how to code the equivalent to the sequencer output instruction in the PLCs that does not support this instruction.
Figure one shows the block diagram of the process. The instruction takes the input data from the file, array, and data block and sequentially relays it to the outputs to trigger them sequentially.
Figure 2 shows the block of the sequencer output instruction showing input and output parameters. The file parameter is the first input parameter showing the address of the reference sequencer file. In addition, the mask input is to receive the address of the mask or the data block of which the instruction will move the data sequentially before relaying it to the output. Furthermore, the dest parameter is an output parameter that shows the address of the output to which the sequence bits will be applied. And the control parameter is the storage words for the status of the instruction, the file length, and the position of the pointer in the data file or array. Also, the length parameter holds the number of steps to move in the data file to the output destination sequentially. And position parameter holds the location of the pointer in the data file.
Figure 3 shows an instance of sequencer output instruction QSO. The QSO instruction steply moves through the input data file or array or data block and transfers sequentially the data bits from the data file to the output (destination word) through the mask word. The status of the instruction can be shown in the DONE (DN) bit. You should notice my friends that after the data transition is done the position is reset to the initial position or the first step.
Now guys, let us move to the ladder logic coding. So how does that sequencer output instruction work in ladder logic? Well! Figure 4 shows a complete example of QSO instruction that is used in Allen Bradley to handle the sequencer output process, it shows one rung that has a start and stops push buttons from left to right at address I:0/0 and I:0/1 respectively to control the starting and stopping of the sequencer output processing. Next, you can see input I:0/2 which is used as a sequencer process flag to switch on or off the sequencer process. So, if the start PB is requested when no emergency stop and the sequencer on input is ON, the QSO is enabled and the data at address #B3:0 will be moved to dest at address O0:0 though the mask word at address 000Fh starting from position 0 with length 4.
Figure 5 shows the data file that the QSO uses to transfer sequence data bits to output. It shows the bits B3:0, B3:1, B3:2 & B3:3 are set to 1 for reference. So, when the sequencer ON input is set to high (I:0/2). The output Q:0/1 will be turned on based on the data in the data file shown in fig. 5. In that case, the length is 4 and the position is 1.
And when the sequencer flag I:0/2 is switched on next time, output O:0/2 will be switched ON. In that case, the length is 4 and the position is 2 as shown in Fig. 6.
In the third time, the sequencer flag is turned ON, the output O:0/3 will be turned ON and the length and position are updated to 4 and 3 respectively as shown in Fig. 7.
When it comes to the fourth time of switching the sequencer flag I:o/2, the output O:0/4 will be turned high and the position will be at 4 and length is 4 as shown in fig.8. At that time, the process is reset and position reset to 1.
The previous example shows how it is simple to control a bunch of outputs that are required to run in sequence with only one rung of the ladder program and using only one instruction which is QSO in Allen Bradley. This merit helps to save the memory space and time and efforts of programming and troubleshooting as well because the program will be shorter and more readable. However, still, some brands have not supported such instructions even the big names like siemens. That can not be counted as limitations but they are banking on there being a way to implement such logic. So, it is very beneficial for you guys to go implement together a piece of code (ladder logic) that is equivalent to such instruction for performing the function of sequencer output instruction in Siemens S7-1200 using our simulator.
As you guys see the sequencer output instruction is nothing but shifting the height value from right to left bit or right to left or even rotated shift for continuous operation. That drives our thinking to use the shift instructions in Siemens to perform this sequencer output instruction.
Figure 9 shows the rungs of a ladder PLC simple program that implements the sequencer output process. See guys how lengthy the logic we have to code to do the same function of single instruction QSO in Allen Bradley. Again, that is a drawback or limitation thing but the program is more lengthy and takes more effort and also memory it is consuming that way. Moving to the logic listed in Fig. 9, the first thing is using a rotated shift instruction that shifts through the data block bit by bit and applies to the output QW0. At the same time increment instruction is used to move through the data. Also, one on delay timer is used to do some delay to show up the sequencing process of activating the output sequentially. And the end, a comparison instruction has been used to check if the pointer or the position reached the last output coil to reset to the first position and so on.
Figure 10 shows the simulation of the sequencer output ladder code before activating the processes by using M0.0, it shows the position is at 1 and the output QW0 is all zeros. So let us activate the sequencer output process by set M0.0 to high and see the output.
Figure 11 shows the process after activating the sequencer program and starting to switch on outputs sequentially. The figure shows the process reached the sixth output coil and the position set to 7 to point at the next output. The process continues to tell reach the last one and then the position set the first step.
I am glad to have you guys following tell that point and I hope you see the importance of the sequencer output technique in reducing the effort of programming and saving memory. Next time will take a tour with the bitwise logic operator and how they are utilized and how they work in the ladder program with given examples and for sure simulation to practice their usage. So let’s meet then and be ready.
Hi readers! Hopefully, you are doing well and exploring something new. Every powerful machine has a secret weapon, a machine that few think about but is responsible for all speed, torque, and, relatively speaking, performance. That secret weapon is an incredibly engineered gearbox. Today, we discuss gearbox design.
Gearbox design and selection are amongst the most critical elements of mechanical engineering, as they involve how power will be best transferred between two rotating shafts. A gearbox changes speed and torque position from a power supply (usually a motor) to the required application. Gearboxes accomplish this through a series of different types of gears, in various configurations. Gearboxes allow machines to perform under various parasitic load conditions.
Gearboxes vary widely, from automotive experiences with gearboxes or transmissions, industrial equipment, wind turbines, and robotics. Each of these applications will have vastly different required gear configurations: spur gears, helical, bevel, worm or planetary gears. The selection of gears will vary due to the constraints of required gear ratio, torque, noise level, or efficient size in the application and lastly, the level of environment needed for the gearbox to be optimally integrated.
Designing a gearbox includes a number of considerations such as: material of the selected gears, efficiency, lubrication, heat dissipation, and the expected life span of the gearbox components. Key considerations of a gearbox design include gears, shafts, bearings, housing and controls. Careful consideration must be made so that losses in power can be minimised and that reliable operations are guaranteed with a long operational lifespan, with stresses that may be encountered in different environments.
Here, you will find the definition of the gearbox, its basic parts, types of gears used in it, types of gearboxes, objectives in gearbox design, steps to design a gearbox, and applications. Let’s unlock detailed guidance.
A gearbox takes power from an engine and sends it to another device, changing both speed and torque. A gearbox supplies the right RPM and torque levels for different types of vehicles and equipment. A gearbox changes speed and torque by % using different ratios. Gearboxes provide an efficient means of changing motion and torque, better overall performance, and improved fuel consumption. Gearboxes are found in many mechanical systems such as vehicles, industrial machines, and wind turbines.
Examining the pieces in a gearbox helps the designer and maintainer work on and troubleshoot problems with it. Every component is necessary for transferring power efficiently, without much wear on the machine itself. The basic parts of a gearbox are as follows:
Gears are the main component of a gearbox that change speed and torque. Gears transmit motion by engaging in pairs to convert the rotary motion of one shaft to another shaft with a designed gear ratio.
Spur Gears: connect parallel shafts, and are also one of the simpler ways to transmit power and motion.
Helical Gears: have angled teeth that allow for smooth, quiet operation.
Bevel Gears: used for shafts at right angles.
Worm Gears: best used for high rates of torque reduction, and are best for a compact design.
Depending on the function required by speed, load, and spatial limitations, each gear type equally serves a purpose. Design considerations will consider material strength, tooth geometry, and precision machining to achieve the best contact point with minimal backlash.
Shafts are the mechanical axis by which gears will turn, allowing for the transfer of torque and motion to other mechanical devices.
Input Shaft: the shaft that connects the source of power (e.g., engine, motor).
Countershaft: intermediate shaft that utilises gears but does not provide any motion; it is used to distribute torque.
Output Shaft: provides adjusted torque and speed to the driven mechanical device.
For the most part, shafts are made from alloy steel, and they must be engineered to support constant and changing forces that could cause them to bend, twist and weaken. It is extremely important to make sure all rotating parts are aligned and balanced, because misaligned or unbalanced parts can eventually damage the machine.
Bearings make possible the smooth and stable rotation of the shafts and minimize friction between moving pieces. Bearings assist in supporting both radial and axial loads, and specific gearbox designs may be used for specific applications.
Ball Bearings: Suitable for any light radial and axial loading.
Roller Bearings: Suitably rated for a heavy radial loading.
Tapered Bearings: Suitable for a combination of radial and axial loads.
Bearings will last indefinitely anything by protected from contamination and kept lubricated.
The housing provides the outside structure to the gearbox; it houses the internal components, provides structural support, and corrosion, allowing gears and shafts to be properly aligned.
The housing does the following:
Protect gears and bearings from dirt, debris, and moisture.
Act as a reservoir for lubricants.
Dissipate heat generated from mechanical operations.
Minimise the noise and vibration of operation.
Commonly used materials are cast iron for heavy-duty applications, and aluminium for lightweight machinery - it is essential that the housing be machined to an accuracy to stay within tolerances, and hold gears and shafts in position without misalignment.
Lubrication is critical for effective operation and longevity of components. Reducing friction, transferring heat, and preventing metal-on-metal contact is the lubricant's job.
The methods of lubrication are:
Splash Lubrication: A simple method, and one most used; gears dip into an oil bath.
Forced Lubrication: Pumps provide oil right to critical parts.
Mist Lubrication: Uses very fine oil mist, used for all high-speed gearboxes or other applications.
Different types of gears are used in gearboxes based on specific design parameters such as the required torque being transmitted, physical constraints such as available space, and noise and speed variation control parameters. Below is a list of the most common gears.
Spur gears have their teeth cut straight and are assembled on parallel shafts. The design is simple, it is easily produced, and it is very efficient. The drawback to spur gears is that they typically create the highest amount of noise and vibration, especially when run at higher speeds.
Helical gears have angled gears which engage gradually in a more controlled manner, which results in less noise and vibration and a smoother operation. Helical gears can be used to transmit higher loads, but introduce axial thrust, which should be accounted for. They are popular for high-speed or heavy-duty applications
These days, bevel gears are commonly built for shafts that connect at a 90° angle. Because bevel gears are built as cones, they permit the direction of power delivery to change. Bevel gears are commonly integrated into differential drives and gearboxes that form right angles.
They are made up of a worm (the screw) with a worm wheel. They can produce strong torque in small packages and are applied at high-speed reduction rates. Sliding contact in worm gears makes them less efficient and likely to produce heat.
The parts of a two-stage gear system are a sun gear, several orbiting planet gears and an outer ring gear. Because planetary gears have a high ratio of power to space, they are usually selected for use in many automotive, robotics and aerospace machines.
Gear Box |
Features |
Applications |
Manual Transmission |
The driver shifts gears manually; a simple design |
Automobiles, motorcycles |
Automatic Transmission |
Shifts gears automatically using hydraulic or electronic control |
Passenger cars, heavy vehicles |
Planetary Gearbox |
High torque and compact; uses central sun gear, planet gears, ring gear |
Robotics, aerospace, EVs |
Worm Gearbox |
Right-angle drive, high torque output |
Lifts, conveyors, tuning instruments |
Helical Gearbox |
Smooth and quiet; handles higher loads |
Industrial machinery |
Bevel Gearbox |
Transfers motion at right angles |
Power tools, marine applications |
The core goal of gearbox design is to create an optimal system performance, reliability, cost, and operational efficiency. A good gearbox will provide an efficient means of transferring power to the driven machines while also tolerating in-use rigours and tribulations. Below are the key objectives in gearbox design:
The primary aim of any gearbox is to transmit power from the driving source, such as a walking beam pump or other motor devices, to the driven machinery as efficiently as possible. The proper torque and speed are needed for any given application. The designer must select the proper gear ratios, confirm or make the best provisions for the gearbox to accommodate the expected loads and provide leeway not to experience slippage or power loss while operating and without mechanical collapse.
In many applications, gearboxes are used for long periods and frequently in harsh environments. Gearboxes will need to be able to withstand wear, fatigue, thermal cycling and many other considerations over their entire service life. Choices in material selection, surface treatments, alignment, load distribution and reduced stress must be made to reduce failure rates.
Many applications, particularly in automotive, aerospace, and robotics, have strict size and weight restrictions. The gearbox must be designed to be as compact and light as possible, avoiding loss in strength or performance. This invokes a lot of thought into gear configuration and the housing that provides maximum power density.
Modern gearbox design incorporates reducing noise and vibration during operation, especially in consumer or comfort-sensitive locations. This has been done with components such as helical gears, precision machining, and the use of noise-reducing materials. A quieter gearbox usually means smoother mechanical operation and will experience less wear over time.
Gearboxes produce heat due to friction between moving parts. Effective design calls for adequate thermal management, from sufficient lubrication to heat dispersal in the gearbox housing, or even cooling systems. For component and performance efficiency in the long run, gearboxes should operate at sufficient and consistent temperature ranges.
The design begins with determining requirements around the application, such as input and output speed, torque quantities, and conditions of the application, such as ambient temperature, load cycles, or even environmental exposure. These requirements must be noted down as they will guide every decision that follows.
Designers consider the style of gear (spur, helical, bevel, etc.), but also the demands form the application. An important consideration will be material, considering strength and wear resistance. The designer has to calculate the specific gear ratio, consistent with speed and torque.
Shafts must be designed considering torsional resistance and bending resistance, while bearings take into consideration radial and axial loading. It is imperative to will also keep shafts aligned to ensure a service life without premature failure.
The house requires sufficient support for all internal components and contains sufficient provision for lubrication, cooling and maintenance. Structural rigidity and precision of internal layout are critical factors.
Selecting the right lubricant and delivery method will ensure a loss of friction and squash continued operation. Designing provisions for heat dissipation can be equally as important as avoiding thermal degradation.
The designer will conduct the final step on their design with fatigue check, checks for overload, and cap it with Finite Element Analysis (FEA). If prototypes are fabricated, they can also be subjected to real-world tests to validate that the design as-built meets their expectations and still meets their design objectives under conditions of use.
In the automotive world, gearboxes are found to be critical in both manual and automatic transmissions, and electric vehicle (EV) drive units, ensuring effective power delivery and optimization of the available fuel or battery energy.
In industrial machinery, gearboxes are present in conveyor systems, packaging/inspection machines, and material handling equipment, which provide the ability to modulate motor output to operational speed and torque requirements.
In aerospace, gearboxes are present in helicopter main and tail rotor drives (or engines) and in the position mechanism of satellites. These have a requirement for high precision and reliability to operate in harsh environments.
Gearboxes in wind turbine applications would be responsible for increasing the slow rotational speed of the rotor to a higher speed that is used by the generator, which improves the throughput of electric power production.
In marine applications, gearboxes can assist in directional propeller drives, anchor winches and thrusters, which all have requirements to withstand extreme loads and corrosion.
When a robot moves, gearboxes will typically be used to match the human-like control of joint movement with high accuracy and repeatability, especially in robotic arms and automated manufacturing systems.
Gearbox design is a vital part of modern mechanical engineering, making power transmission systems work. From automobiles to industrial applications, in aerospace, robotics, and renewable energy, gearboxes provide regulated, efficient torque and speed transmission. Moving from concept to reality, gearbox design starts a complex process that takes into account gear type, shaft geometry and alignment, bearing loads, gearbox housing structure, component lubrication, and thermal management.
A careful balance of durability against performance, size, cost, and noise is paramount. Modern gearbox design combines advanced materials and manufacturing techniques with computer-aided design (CAD), simulation technologies like finite element analysis (FEA), and successful design ideas have led to compact, reliable, and energy-efficient gearboxes. Industry is demanding compact size with more performance, so gearbox design will continue to innovate, integrate, and develop precision power for the foreseeable future. Because gearboxes need to be more compact and have more performance, they will need to be socially responsible while reducing the total cost of ownership. Gearboxes must continue to deliver, better and better, so our world can be powered with the most efficient designs with reliability built in.
Fluid mechanics is considered to be one of the essential branches of Mechanical Engineering. Fluid Mechanics comprises two words, fluid, and mechanics, with different meanings and research criteria. In this article, I will extensively introduce fluid mechanics and its importance in daily life. So without wasting any time, let us start:
We remember in the early classes, we used to study three states of matter, and afterward, they became four named:
The definition of fluid is the state of matter that can be liquid or solid. We might have noticed that whenever the matter is in any stage, the criteria to know its state is to understand how much stress it can bear, and we name that stress as shear stress that changes its shape. But this situation mostly happens in solid or liquid cases. When the stress is applied, the substantial changes shape and reform into a new one. But up to a limit that cannot destroy its ultimate form. The stress applied to a solid is directly proportional to the strain, whereas, in liquids, the stress is directly proportional to the strain rate.
As mentioned that fluid mechanics comprises of two terms, so now I will define what mechanics is and how much it is essential in our today’s life.
Here are two essential terminologies:
The branch of mechanics in which bodies are at rest is called statics. It is a vast study of internal and external forces in a structure
Example:
The best example of statics is when you are standing on a plane on the rigid ground. The force of gravity and the reaction force as the reaction of gravitational force, both these forces act as statics and help in maintaining the state of rest.
The branch of mechanics which studies the bodies in motion is called dynamics. The study is all related to the movement and what is the cause of it.
Example:
The example of moving the body and dealing with all the forces that are acting on and their effect is categorized in dynamics.
Fluid Mechanics is the sub-category defining the fluid’s nature at rest or in motion.
The types of fluid mechanics are as follows:
Example:
It involves the mass flow rate of oil through the pipeline, study of the pattern weather forecast, and blood circulation.
Example:
The best example of fluid statics involves drinking with a straw. The mechanism happening inside is that when we reduce the pressure at the top of the straw, inside the liquid the atmosphere pushes the liquid up to the mouth.
Fluid statics and dynamics are divided into compressible and incompressible fluid as well as real and ideal fluids. So real is divided into the laminar and turbulent flow, and this goes on.
As I discussed earlier, fluid flow is classified, and they vary from type to type.
By reading their names, you get an idea of what a laminar and turbulent flow is. So laminar flow is one in which fluid flows smoothly without any turbulence. Usually, highly viscous fluid with low viscosity is characterized as laminar flow. Whereas turbulent flow is the one in which fluid flow is not smooth. And they have high velocities.
The compressible and incompressible flows depend upon one of the significant factors density. The flow is incompressible when the density is constant or nearly constant throughout the flow. Incompressible flows characterize most liquids. The compressible flows are opposite to the incompressible ones; they don’t have constant throughout. One of the best examples of compressible flow is gases.
In these types of flow, viscosity is one of the essential vital elements. Every fluid has some viscosity value. So the flows with a significant amount of frictional effect are said to be viscous. Inviscid flows are where viscosity is neglected or to some extent.
As the name shows, the flow covered with a solid boundary is considered internal flow. The liquid is flowing in a pipe or a wire. At the same time, the external flow is defined as an unbounded flow. The fluid flowing over the pipe or the fluid over the ball is exemplified as external flow. And the flow inside a pipe covered is said to be internal flow.
The names are enough to define the nature of the flows. So steady or uniform flows are said to be steady flows. And the unsteady one is opposite to the steady one that does not have any uniformity.
Natural flows are the one that flows naturally. But the theoretical example will be the one that flows due to the buoyancy effect. The forced fluids are the ones that are forced to flow with the help of external means. An example of forced flow is a fan or pump.
The nature of the fluid varies from type to type. The following are some vital types of fluids.
Real fluids possess viscosity. Viscosity is defined as resistance or opposition. Eliminating the ideal cases, all the fluids are examples of real fluids.
The ideal fluids are the one that has no viscosity at all. As I have mentioned just now that all the fluids have viscosity. So ideal fluids are just an ideal case study.
Both of them have two different properties. The Newtonian fluids are the ones in which the shear stress is directly proportional to the shear strain, and in non-Newtonian fluids, they are not proportional to each other.
The ideal plastic fluids are the ones in which shear stress is directly proportional to the shear strain. The shear stress value is also more than the yield value. These fluids are velocity gradient ones and have significant importance.
Fluid mechanics is considered one of the vast branches of mechanical engineering that covers all the fundamental laws of physics. It is not wrong to say those fluid mechanics depend on these laws, and they are named as follows:
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Conservation of mass
Conservation of linear momentum
Conservation of energy
Conservation of angular momentum
As I have briefly discussed all the types of fluids, the following is their graphical presentation.
The properties are one of the significant features of everything. The fluids also have some properties. The following are some essential properties of the fluid.
The word viscosity means thickness. According to the definition, viscosity is defined as the fluid’s property related to friction and resistance.
When one layer moves adjacently to the other, some friction exists, which we named viscosity. The layers are moving at some distance and are named dy. The velocities of the fluids are u and u+du, respectively.
The graphical presentation of the layer velocity versus the distance is shown below.
The graph will explain the trends of velocity and distance. As mentioned, two layers are moving adjacently to each other, so the layer that is on top imposes shear stress on the lower layer, and the lower layer, in response, causes shear stress on the upper one.
According to physics, density is defined as the mass to volume ratio. So the fluid mass to fluid volume ratio is the density of the fluid. In liquids, the density is constant, but in gases, it’s variable.
The specific weight is defined as the ratio between the weight of the fluid and volume. Thus the weight density is defined as the weight per unit volume of fluid and is denoted by w.
Mathematically,
w=Weight of FluidVolume of Fluid
w=Mass of Fluid×Acceleration due to cycleVol. of fluid
w=Mass of Fluid×gVol. of Fluid
w=ρg
The specific volume is defined as the volume of a fluid by a unit mass or volume. This property applies to gases.
Mathematically,
Specific Volume = Vol. of fluidMass of fluid
Specific Volume=1Mass of FluidVol.
Specific Volume=1
The thermodynamic property is the salient feature of gas and liquid. We know that when liquids are compressed, they form gas, so thermodynamics is one of the critical features of gases.
The equation below shows a connection between the pressure, specific volume, absolute temperature, and gas constant.
p=RT
The definition of a system is as follows:
The system is the quantity of matter or a specific region specified for research or study.
As you can see from the diagram, an imaginary or real wall or a surface separates the system from the surroundings. So a system can be open, close, or isolated (special case). So following is a brief explanation of all the types of systems.
Open System
In the open system, the volume is controlled and the energy and mass can easily pass through the boundary of the control volume.
Close System
In the closed system, the mass is controlled and cannot cross the boundary. The energy can cross the boundary easily and volume is also not fixed.
Isolated System
In the isolated system, the energy cannot cross the boundary.
The definition of dimensions is as follows:
The Definition of units is as follows:
There are two types of units explained below briefly.
Some basic dimensions are given the names and they are as follows:
Dimensions |
Units |
Mass |
m |
Temperature |
T |
Length |
L |
Time |
t |
Some dimensions are assigned names in terms of primary dimensions and they are as follows:
Dimensions |
Units |
Volume |
V |
Energy |
E |
Velocity |
V |
Two kinds of units are commonly used in today’s world and that is;
The English system does not have an apparent systematic and numerical base. It is considered to be one of the most difficult systems to memorize. In almost every country metric SI units are widely used but the United States is the only country that has not fully opted for the metric system rather they use the English system in many states.
Example
12 in =1 ft
1 mile =5280 ft
4 qt =1 gal
It is one of the most commonly used and feasible units. The metric SI units are widely used in industries and countries like England. There are seven basic fundamental dimensions introduced and their units in SI are as follows:
Dimension |
Unit |
Length |
meter (m) |
Mass |
Kilogram (kg) |
Time |
Second (s) |
Temperature |
Kelvin (K) |
Electric Current |
Ampere (A) |
Amount of light |
Candela (cd) |
Amount of Matter |
Mole (mol) |
There are numerous examples of fluid mechanics in our daily life. The following examples are some crucial parameters that cover fluid mechanics.
Our heart is an integral part of the human body that pumps blood to all body parts through arteries and veins. In this modern era of science and technology, many scientists have designed artificial hearts that work on the working principle of fluid dynamics and transmit blood and pumps like the original heart.
Our homes are one of the best examples of fluid mechanics. The piping, sewage, hot and cold water pipes, natural gas, and LPG work on fluid mechanics principles. Moreover, our refrigerator, air conditioning, heating, cooling, and insulating system are all examples of fluid mechanics.
We find various examples in our cars, planes, buses, and ships. Fluid mechanics covers all the fields associated with fuel transportation, from the fuel tanks to the cylinders, fuel pumps, carburetors, etc. It covers all the cooling heating systems of automobiles, lubrication systems, power steering, and radiator cooling.
Fluid mechanics is used in many medical devices such as glucose monitors, heart assistance devices, etc.
It is beneficial for eliminating pollution from the atmosphere, cleaning water, cleaning sewage systems, and controlling floods.
Hi Guys! Hope you’re well today. I welcome you on board. In this post, I’ll walk you through How to Optimize a PCB Panel Layout.
PCB panels are used in the manufacturing process to produce PCBs in large numbers. This not only reduces the overall cost but also makes the manufacturing process more efficient and reliable. PCB panelization is a manufacturing technique where multiple PCB designs are replicated on a single large board called a PCB panel. Then these individual boards are removed and depanelized from the panel to install them in the final product.
The number of panels is directly related to the overall manufacturing cost. To produce more panels, more cost will be required. However, it also depends on the shape of the board. If you require more boards of the same shape and size, it will reduce the panel cost since they all can be replicated and manufactured on a single panel.
Read on to find out how we can optimize the PCB panel layout to save both cost and time.
Let’s jump right in.
PCB panel is a large board that contains multiple instances of a small PCB. Know that the PCB panel is made up of the same material as the board and the panel size depends on the number of small boards you aim to produce. It is required to best use the panel space to produce PCBs in large numbers and to keep the unused panel space minimum. Since the more boards cover the overall panel space, the more efficient the manufacturing process will be.
You can pick the panel size as per your requirement. However, the most commonly used panel size is 18 x 24 inches. Normally, the boards are 0.100 inches apart in one panel. Panel designers need to be very careful while putting the PCB designs in the panel.
It is important to use your PCB design tools properly to avoid any hassle in the manufacturing process. Decisions made earlier during the PCB design process can go a long way and keep you from redesigning the entire board from scratch. These design tools can help you select the layer stack up configuration and PCB material. Additionally, they can help you transfer design data using open standard formats. Using this format manufacturer can exchange the design information with the PCB designers and can compile it in one file format.
To make the manufacturing process efficient, it’s better that PCB designers are in contact with the PCB panel designers. This way PCB designers can make some tweaks in the design to slightly alter its shape so multiple boards can effortlessly find a place in the panel to maximize the panel space.
Following points that every PCB designer should consider:
Hanging Components
Extra clearance is required for some components that overhang the board. It is created around the outline of the board placed in the panel. Creating extra room for clearance may slightly change the design of the panel. So it is better that designers contact in advance with the panel designers to figure out all the options.
Adding Features
The panel designer will add features to the panel like edge marks and tooling holes. PCB designer needs to make sure the placement of PCB designs doesn’t cause any problems.
Weight of Components
PCB panels carry some strength though, but they are not solid enough to withstand a large number of components. Since components come in various shapes and sizes. They vary from small to large size. The concentration of components may cause some problems and create a slight bend in the panel. Collaborate with the panel designers to explore other PCB layout options to handle a large number of components.
Width of the Board
The panel made up of thick board doesn’t cause a problem. It can deal with all manufacturing techniques applied on the array of the board. Trouble arises when thin boards are to be made for the final product. Thin boards produce a bend on the panel and can cause the solder to appear on the top of the boards. Consult with your panel designer if you want thin boards for your product. They may use a pallet and come up with another PCB layout option to deal with the thin boards.
Board edge clearance is another aspect to take into consideration while making the panel. It works as a shield for the board components and the copper and keeps them from being damaged.
Clearance in Breakout Tabs
PCBs are depanelized in two ways: by breakout tabs where small tabs are produced between the PCB designs. These tabs come with spacing between them on the panel. Both the copper and the components should have 0.125 inches clearance from the tab.
Clearance in V-grooves
Another method of depanelization is by cutting the V-grooves that are pre-scored V-shaped marks placed alongside the board edges. In V-grooves, the copper should come with 0.02 inches clearance and the components should exhibit 0.05 inches clearance.
FPC flexible boards are produced using three-panel methods namely:
Backward Panel
Conventional Panel
Oblique Panel
Panels are created to save material during the manufacturing process. Keep the distance between the boards minimum to effectively use the entire space of the panel. To accelerate the manufacturing process and to keep the entire panel process in check, a few things are included in the panel, like plate size, necessary instructions, and etching characters.
Each corner of the entire panel is drilled with a positioning hole to keep the board in place during the production process. For flexible boards, the panel width and the length should be 250mm. Since the larger board will lead to low production accuracy and eventually product failure.
An online world is flooded with scores of PCB fabrication houses. It’s difficult to find a diamond in the rough when all they claim to be the best in what they do. What we are going to share is our personal experience with the company called PCBWAY. They have an expert team who thoroughly hears your demand and guides you along the process to make an educated decision. The products are no less than quality. If you think what we say doesn’t really matter, then go and try it yourself, you’ll find the answer.
Apart from PCB prototype, they also offer PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) service so you don’t have to place components on the board. They come on board ready-made from the fabrication house.
If you want PCBs in large quantities, PCBWAY also offers PCB panel service. When you order a PCB panel, you can see a significant cost difference compared to if you want one PCB to be manufactured.
When you visit the called PCBWAY Fabrication House website, you see the following image with the option “Instant Quote”.
After writing the parameters in the given space, when you click the “Quote now” option you will come across the following page.
You can the option “Board Type” which is further divided into three categories with two options for PCB Panel. Either you can select the PCB panel by selecting the “Panel by Customer” option or you can ask PCBWAY to make the panel by selecting “Panel by PCBWAY”
You can select the size, quantity, number of layers, material, thickness and much more. Additionally, you can write down your further requirements in the “other special request” option. The primary aim is to give clear instructions so the final product exactly matches what you ordered in the first place.
Once you submit the order, it exhibits full detail on how your order is going to be processed, including order status, address, past orders, invoice details and the total time it’ll take to complete the order. There are no hidden charges, which means you’ll be charged exactly the price you’ll see in the order status. Plus, if you find any difficulty in placing the order or in the selection of the material, they will guide you to make the final decision.
The website comes with a live chat option through which you can communicate with the agent for any query. Though their English is not impeccable, but it still good enough to understand your questions and answer them properly. You can contact them any time from Monday to Friday, however, if you want to contact on the weekend, you can submit your email address and leave a message and they will get back to you within one business day.
Once the boards are manufactured, they go through a rigorous inspection test to ensure the quality of the product. This includes if the holes are properly drilled and aligned, the uniformity of the traces all the way through the board, and a thorough comparison with the design document to ensure that all the requirements are met. The inspection tools include an X-ray inspection machine, a flying probe tester, and an automated inspection machine. With 50 engineers on board, rest assured the final product gets the proper treatment it deserves.
As mentioned earlier, panels are used to produce PCBs in bulk. Moreover, they also refrain the boards from vibration and shock during the assembly process.
A simple coordination between the PCB designer and Panel designer can help build the PCB panels with accuracy and efficiency.
If you’re a newbie and just starting out, it’s better to get your PCB manufactured by the professionals in the PCB fabrication house. This will save you both time and money and you’ll learn many things along the process.
That’s all for today. Hope you find this article helpful. If you have any questions, you can ask me in the section below. I’d love to help you the best way I can. Thank you for reading the article.
There is no doubt that the traditional workplace has changed in a major way in the last few years. About half of companies now have remote workers. This means that managing a team looks different from what it ever did before. Facilitating the best of what a team has to offer, the synergies, the camaraderie, the collaboration, looks and feels different. It is sometimes difficult.
Those who manage remote teams are learning how to keep teams engaged and motivated, even as they work in isolation. Here are some of the techniques they are employing to keep their employees on track.
Working in the office made it easy and natural to casually ask questions, double-check information, and get feedback from colleagues. That ease made collaboration and the sharing of ideas more convenient. Managers who want to keep the teamwork going need to create situations in which employees have the chance to talk informally about work.
Scheduling a daily touch-base meeting , set up not to accomplish a specific task, but rather just to get aligned on the day, is vital. These daily meetings should be short and predictable. Every team member should know that this meeting is where they will be briefed or reminded about the big picture for the day and have the opportunity to make comments or ask questions about things the team is working on. To be clear, this is not a time to get into the details about how to accomplish a project, but rather a time to discuss teamwork in general.
In-person, co-workers can hear each other’s voice inflections, see body language, and generally understand more of the intent behind what someone is saying. Communicating through a computer screen takes away all those context clues. It’s really easy to misinterpret someone’s tone when you read a text or email.
The solution is to take zero shortcuts when it comes to communication . Don’t rush the email. Write in complete sentences. Avoid shorthand and abbreviations. Make it clear that if anyone has any questions, they are welcome and encouraged to ask. Thank employees who take the time to verify and clarify instructions.
Working from home might feel, to some employees, like they are always at work or that there are no boundaries for when to send emails. Being connected 24/7 should not make the team feel obligated to be available for work 24/7. Clearly communicate what the expectations are for when employees should be sending messages and also the timing of when they should be responding. For example, employees should respond within 3 hours of receiving a message between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., but have no obligation to respond outside of those hours.
These rules will help the people communicating information and receiving information. They have the added benefit of building trust among team members and of making employees feel appreciated by the company.
Technology tools that help the team work as a team are the most important investment a company can make when it has remote employees. It’s not a place to scrimp. Companies are wise to look into software hosting services that allow any computer from any location to share desktop features, access to software, and the ability to work on shared documents. A good software hosting company will also provide security from hacking, cyber-attacks, and guard logins.
Having the right technology is so crucial that it should be a regular topic of conversation among teams and managers. Managers should regularly poll employees about how their current technology is meeting or not meeting their needs.
Even when everyone worked in the same office, managers understood that employees all have their own personalities, challenges, and styles. The era of working from home only adds to those differences. Not only do workers come to the job with their own personal uniqueness, but they now also bring their home lives to work, literally.
Some employees may live in areas with inconsistent internet connections. They may have pets, relatives, roommates, or alternative living arrangements. Their living space may not have the capacity for a dedicated workspace. They may live somewhere where getting some quiet or privacy is a struggle.
The way managers can combat these special needs is to shift the focus of work towards goals and deadlines, rather than pacing. Managers need to be more flexible. It’s not even possible to micromanage remote teams, so why try? Does it really matter if an employee is going to be distracted by his kids getting off the bus every afternoon as long as he puts in the time and effort to get his work done on time?
Remind the team why they are doing what they are doing. Understanding the purpose of the work is a huge motivator and will drive better performance.
Our next step in the Raspberry Pi training program is to get zero tiers up and run on a Raspberry Pi 4. How to utilize a Raspberry Pi to measure internet speed and store the results in Grafana or Onedrive was the topic of the last piece. During the project, you will discover how to install ZeroTier on a Raspberry Pi and get it up and running. We will also learn how to set up a firewall to secure our network.
| Where To Buy? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Components | Distributor | Link To Buy | |
| 1 | Raspberry Pi 4 | Amazon | Buy Now | |
Raspberry pi 4
Power supply
Ethernet or wifi
ZeroTier is a software that provides a streamlined web-based interface for constructing virtual networks connecting various gadgets. Somewhat akin to configuring a virtual private network on a Raspberry Pi, these networks exist only in cyberspace. The process of provisioning, however, is much easier, especially when dealing with several devices.
ZeroTier can be used on various platforms, from computers to mobile phones. Its cross-platform compatibility with Unix, Microsoft, and macintosh means you can set up a virtual connection without worrying about whether or not your hardware will be able to connect to it.
The ZeroTier business model is "freemium." Using our free plan, you can connect up to 50 approved devices to the virtual network.
You need to create an account on the ZeroTier website before you can use the program on your Raspberry Pi. This is because virtual network administration is performed through their website.
You may manage your entire virtual network from one central web-based console, including assigning permanent IP addresses to individual devices.
Registration on the ZeroTier hub website is required before a network ID can be generated. Access your virtual networks with this web-based interface. Go to ZeroTier Central on whichever browser you like. When you go to the site, look for the "Register" button so you can start the account creation process.
The following window will appear once you've created an account and logged into the web interface. Hit the "Create A Network" button in the screen's center to get started.
We can move on now that you've joined ZeroTier and have your network ID. In this part, you'll learn how to download and install ZeroTier on your pi device.
First, let's check that the software on your pi Device is up to date.
To be up-to-date, we need to run the following two instructions for the item list and all installed modules.
sudo apt upgrade
After adding the GPG key, we can install ZeroTier via their installation repository on our pi Device. With this key, we can ensure that the tools we're installing are directly from ZeroTier and don't include any malicious code. To obtain the GPG key via their repo, type the following code and store the contents of the "de-armored" file in the "/usr/share/keyrings/" folder.
Now that the GPG key has been inserted, a source list containing the ZeroTier repository must be compiled. First, we need to create a shell variable named "RELEASE" and assign it the operating system's internal codename. To construct the proper URLs for the ZeroTier repo in the subsequent steps, we will execute the following command.
Once we have the shell variable configured, we can utilize it to construct the relevant ZeroTier repo Urls for the Operating system. We finally save this string in the "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/" folder under the name "zerotier.list."
The next time you refresh the Raspberry Pi's packages lists, it will pull ZeroTier directly from this location.
Since we have modified the Rpi's source code, we must revise the list of installed packages. Using the command line, you could change your system's component list.
After updating, we can use the command beforehand to download the ZeroTier package onto our RPi.
ZeroTier can be set up to automatically launch on system startup as part of the setup procedure.
Having finished the ZeroTier installation on our RPi, we can now link to the networking we created in the introduction. First, make sure you get the network's identifier handy.
To connect the RPi to the network, we must use the ZeroTier Command line. You can utilize the following code to accomplish this. As a first step, swap out "[NETWORKID]" for the ID you gathered previously in this tutorial.
So after this message, your RPi should've just joined the ZeroTier channel.
The "Members" portion is located toward the bottom of the managerial section for the ZeroTier system on the RPi.
You'll need to select the "Auth" box to tick here after identifying the machine you added. As a result, your RPi can communicate with other gadgets on the same network.
A machine through your ZeroTier channel can be located using the information in the "Address" column. The "sudo zerotier-cli status" prompt will cause the RPi to display this data.
The Name/Description field can be used to assign a memorable label to this innovative gadget for future reference.
Lastly, take a peek at the "Managed IPs" section.
If an IP address has been assigned to the gadget, it will appear in this column. These IP addresses will allow you to gain access to that machine. This column can specify which device will receive the IP address. If you're trying to get an Internet address for a newly approved source, be patient; it could take a few minutes.
Whenever your RPi successfully connects to the ZeroTier networks, you must see something similar to what is shown below. The last number is Pi's Internet protocol address within the VPN connection.
Connecting to other gadgets on the VPN connection is now possible. Having the device's Internet protocol is all that's required. The ZeroTier management console is the quickest way to learn which IP addresses are assigned to particular gadgets.
Here you can find detailed instructions for setting up your RPi with the Syncthing program. For the program to be installed, we must first add the program's PGP keys and the package repo as possible sources.
sudo apt full-upgrade
Following this, check that the apt-transport-HTTP package has been successfully installed. When using the installer, you can now access sources that utilize the secure Secure protocols, thanks to this package's inclusion. It's not possible to do this by default. This is included by default in most modern operating systems, but it may be missing from lightweight distributions like Raspberry Pi OS Lite. Executing the line below will install the necessary package.
Finally, the Syncthing credentials may be added to our keyrings folder. The purpose of these keys is to verify the authenticity and integrity of the packages we install before trusting them. To obtain the credentials, execute the command that follows on the RPi.
Since the key has been included, the repo itself may be included. The RPi project will use the Syncthing program, namely the stable release. Use the following command to include the repo in the list of sources.
We have to refresh the installation list before installing Syncthing from the repo. We must revise the list for the package manager to use our different sources. To update your RPI, type the following command into your device's terminal.
Let's finish setting up our RPi by installing the Syncthing app. Now that the package repository has been added, the program can be installed with a single command.
The Syncthing web application will only be accessible while close to the device. Those using a Raspberry Pi without a monitor or keyboard would have a very frustrating time if this were the case, but we can change the setup to allow external access.
The first order of business is to discover the RPi's actual local network address. Before proceeding, please ensure that your Rpi has been assigned a permanent IP address. This command lets you find your Pi's local IP address.
To move on, a single iteration of Syncthing must be run to create initial configuration files. The RPI user will be used solely in this tutorial to launch Syncthing.
Press CTRL + C to exit the program after the first launch.
The necessary configurations for Syncthing will be generated after the first execution. The Syncthing program must be launched in the context of the pi user for this configuration file to take effect. With nano editor, start editing the necessary configuration file with the line below.
Locate the following code in this script with the searching key CTRL + W to quickly locate this sentence.
127.0.0.1:8384This line needs to have the local Internet protocol of our Pi substituted for the default local Internet address (127.0.0.1). For instance, with our Pi's IP address, this code would become something like this.
192.168.0.193:8384We are limiting our access to people in the same local area network by use of the local Internet address. Alternatively, you can use the internet address "0.0.0.0" to grant access to every IP. Following the successful IP address change, save changes to the script.
One final step is necessary now that the Syncthing us may be accessed from devices other than the RPi. This responsibility includes developing and launching a system for the program. The Service will enable Syncthing to launch automatically at system boot and be halted and started quickly.
Once again, we'll use nano to make the necessary changes to the Service's configuration file. The Syncthing authorized GitHub is the source for the application we will be developing. To start adding content to the file in "/lib/systemd/system," run the following command.
copy lines below and paste them to this file.
Description=Syncthing - Open Source Continuous File Synchronization
Documentation=man:syncthing(1)
After=network.target
[Service]
User=pi
ExecStart=/usr/bin/syncthing -no-browser -no-restart -logflags=0
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5
SuccessExitStatus=3 4
RestartForceExitStatus=3 4
# Hardening
ProtectSystem=full
PrivateTmp=true
SystemCallArchitectures=native
MemoryDenyWriteExecute=true
NoNewPrivileges=true
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Those lines specify how our Rpi's OS must deal with Syncthing. When you're done adding lines, save the file. We could now set up our Service to automatically launch at system startup. Enter this command and hit enter.
Let's run the Service to use the Syncthing internet UI. Once again, the systemctl tool will need to be used to kick off the Service.
The Syncthing program on the RPi should be checked to ensure it has begun. Using the below program, we can make sure of that.
The notification should read as follows if the Service was successfully started and is now active.
If everything goes smoothly, you should utilize the Syncthing program on the RPi. Now that the hardware has been added, we can move on to configure the program and synchronize our data. We'll break this up into chunks for easy reading. The web-based user interface makes installing and linking devices a breeze.
You'll need to launch the web-based interface in your preferred internet browser to begin using it. The Internet address of the RPi is required to use the web-based interface. Using the Url, navigate to the following location in your preferred internet browser.
Since the Syncthing program only listens on port 8384, you mustn't remove it from the end of the string.
After creating login details, you will be prompted to sign in before proceeding to the next step.
There is no predetermined login information for Syncthing, meaning anyone with access to the UI can change your preferences. Login credentials can be set up to prevent unauthorized users from wreaking havoc.
You will be warned of the potential risks if you have never specified the login details. The "Settings" button on this caution will take us directly to the configuration page.
After resetting your password, this website will log you out. You'll need to sign in with your new credentials each time you access Syncthing's graphical interface.
For Syncthing to function, it must create a random identifier for each connected device. Adding the other device's ID to your own is necessary for sharing information between devices. The RPi Syncthing installation's unique identifier can be located via the web interface.
To return to the main page of the web interface, select "Actions" from the toggle menu in the top right. Select "Show ID" from the selection menu to open the desired dialogue box.
The identification string and corresponding QR code are displayed below. The ideal identifier length is between 50 and 56 characters and may incorporate digits, letters, and hyphens. System-wise, the hyphens are disregarded, but they improve readability. If you want to connect your Raspberry Pi to additional devices, you'll need to give each of them the unique ID assigned to your Pi. You must also include their identification number. Syncthing's mechanism for linking many gadgets to a single pool requires the ID.
We've covered how to get your gadget id Number, so now we'll cover adding a new one. Keep in mind that the identifier for your RPi must be entered into whatever gadget you are installing. If not, communication between the devices will be impossible.
The "Add Remote Device" button may be in the lower right corner of the Syncthing UI. When we click this option, we'll be taken to a dialogue where we can add a gadget to our Syncthing collection.
Now that we have a device linked to the RPi Syncthing, you can test directory sharing. In this particular chunk, the default directory will suffice. Here, we keep our sync files in a folder called "/home/pi/sync" on our RPi.
Select the "Edit" button next to a directory to change its share settings. We can access the folder's sharing settings dialog by clicking this option and making the necessary changes.
Having ZeroTier Syncthing installed on your RPi and linked to a VPN, you may now sync data across machines. If you're looking for a basic virtual network solution, ZeroTier is it. And the best part is that it offers an ideally enough free plan for most people's fundamental needs. Additionally, Syncthing is a user-friendly software that enables you to synchronize folders across several gadgets. The program is among the best methods for allowing many computers to maintain directory consistency in real time. No longer will you have to trust a remote service like Cloud Servers to keep your data safe.