Engineering projects are a crucial part of a student's engineering degree. Writing a project report is an essential part of any engineering project. The final step provides a summary of the project and its results. A good project report can help students get better grades and advance their career prospects. In this article, we will discuss the importance of engineering project writing and the steps involved in writing a successful project report.
Engineering project writing is a form of academic writing used to document an engineering project's progress. This type of report usually includes findings, conclusions, and recommendations. It should provide a clear and concise overview of the project and its impact on society. The report should be written in an organized and professional manner.
Engineering project writing is important because it plays an essential role in the success of an engineering project. It provides detailed documentation of the project, its findings, and its results. This helps project managers and stakeholders to evaluate the success of the project. It also helps to demonstrate to potential employers and clients the skills and knowledge of the engineering team.
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Writing an engineering project report can seem like a daunting task. However, following a few simple steps can make it easier and more effective.
1. Gather the Necessary Information: Before you start writing your project report, it is important to gather all the necessary information. This includes details about the project, its goals, the team, its progress, and the final results.
2. Outline the Report: Once you have all the necessary information, it is time to create an outline for the report. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that your report is structured and coherent.
3. Write the Introduction: The introduction should provide a brief overview of the project and its purpose. It should include an explanation of the project's objectives, the team's involvement, and the results achieved.
4. Write the Body: The body of the report should provide a detailed description of the project and its results. It should include information about the team, the methods used, the results achieved, and the conclusions.
5. Write the Conclusion: The conclusion should provide a summary of the project and its results. It should also include recommendations for future action.
6. Proofread and Edit: Once you have written the report, it is important to proofread and edit it. This will help ensure that the report is error-free and that it communicates the project's results effectively.
Writing an engineering project report is essential to any engineering project. The final step provides a summary of the project and its results. A good project report can help students get better grades and advance their career prospects. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a successful engineering project report that will help you demonstrate your skills and knowledge. Encouraging students to use their engineering project writings to showcase their technical prowess is also a good idea. It will also help in the post-graduation job search.
In the end, it is important to remember that engineering project reports should be clear, concise, and organized. With the right approach, you can create a report that will help you stand out from the crowd and advance your career prospects.
Hi Guys! Hope you’re well today. I welcome you on board. In this post, I’ll walk you through Electronics DIY Projects to Improve Work from Home.
Electronic devices are not cheap and rightly so. Since you require advanced setup and technical skills to build something sophisticated and delicate. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on such devices since DIY electronic projects are the solution. You can make similar electronic projects you find online at home and save a lot of money. Some people prefer working on a breadboard while others prefer building on printed circuit boards. However, if you’re new to this field, we’ll suggest you start from the breadboard, before building your projects on the PCBs. The good thing is that you don’t require a big setup or advanced tools to work on breadboards. Basic computer knowledge and a few tools and electronic components would suffice.
Know that nearly all of these electronics projects can be developed in less than a day if you have the required tools and components. It won't be difficult to test out these creative ideas for electronics projects because, fortunately, you can search hot electronics parts from kynix for a low price.
I suggest you read this article all the way through, as I’ll be covering in detail electronics DIY projects to improve work from home.
Let’s get started.
The long, warm months ahead can only mean one thing for DIY enthusiasts: polishing up the skills over the project after project. For some people, that can include finishing a picture or creating original dishes in the kitchen. And for tech nerds, it is learning new software or building electronic projects at home.
Looking for easy ways to spruce up your technical skills? These simple DIY Electronic Projects would help you to get your hands dirty in the electronic field without spending a lot of time and money.
This is a simple electronic project used to charge your lead acid battery. It comes with LM 317 which is the main component of the circuit that serves as an operational amplifier mainly employed to deliver the exact charging voltage to the battery.
Operational Amplifier LM 317
Transistor BC 548
Transistors
Capacitors
Potentiometer
LM317 provides the correct voltage for the circuit and the transistor BC548 is employed to control the charging current delivered to the battery.
It is worth noting that one-tenth of the Ah value of the battery must be charged - the basic idea behind charging this circuit. The charging current can be adjusted using the potentiometer R5. While Q1, R1, R4, and R5 regulate the battery's charging current. The current flowing through R1 rises as the battery charges and it changes how Q1 conducts. The voltage at the LM 317's output rises because Q1's collector is connected to the IC LM 317's adjustment pin.
The charging current is reduced by the charger circuit after the battery is fully charged, and this mode is known as trickle charging.
Signal transmission is crucial when you want people to hear someone from a distance. Especially in factory and college settings to allow people to hear programs and speeches within range. This is a low-cost, simple electronic project used to create an FM transmitter circuit that has a 2-kilometer range for signal transmission.
Matching Antenna
Transistors BC109, BC177, 2N2219
Capacitors
Resistors
Battery 9 to 24 V
This is a simple DIY electronic project that you can easily develop at home. It comes with a 2 km range for transmitting the signals.
In this setup, a 9 to 24 DC power supply battery is used to power the circuit which not only ensures the optimum performance but also helps in reducing the noise.
The traditional high-sensitive preamplifier stage is formed with the transistors Q1 and Q2. Know that the audio signal required to be transmitted is connected to the base of Q1 using capacitor C2.
The oscillator, mixer, and final power amplifier functions are all carried out by transistor Q3. And the biasing resistors for the Q1 and Q2 preamplifier stage are R1, R3, R4, R6, R5, and R9. The tank circuit, which is formed by C9 and L1, is crucial for producing oscillations.
The FM signal is coupled to the antenna by inductor L2. Recognize that, the circuit frequency can be adjusted by varying C9 and R9 is employed to adjust the gain.
Make sure you apply this circuit on good-quality PCBs, as poor-quality connections can hurt the overall performance of the circuit.
Tired of your speaker’s low noise? Don’t panic! Since this is another easy-to-design electronic circuit that provides 150W to the four Ohm speakers – enough to provide you with a lasting, ruthless buzz to rock and roll. The basic component of the project is the pair of Darlington transistors TIP 142 and 147.
Darlington transistors TIP 142 and 147
Transistor BC558
Resistors
Diode 1N4007
Electrolytic Capacitors rated at least 50V
This circuit is effective for those just starting in the electronic field. In this circuit, TIP 147 and 142 are complementary Darlington pair transistors known for their durability that can handle 5 A current and 100V.
Know that Q5 and Q4 of two BC 558 transistors are joined together as a pre-amplifier also called a differential amplifier. This is used for two main reasons: for providing negative feedback and for reducing the noise at the input stage, thus improving the overall productivity of the amplifier.
While TIP41 (Q1, Q2, Q3) and TIP 142, TIP 147 together are employed to drive the speaker. This circuit's construction is so robust that it can be put together by soldering directly to the pins. A dual power supply with a +/-45V, 5A output can power the circuit.
A siren is a device that produces a usual louder sound to alert and/or attract people or vehicles. Typically, ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, and VIP cars are among the vehicles that use the siren.
The basic component of the project is the 555 timer which is one of the most adaptable chips that can be applied in practically all applications because of its multi-functionality. It is an 8-pin chip with a 200 mA direct current drive output that comes in a DIP or SOP packaging. This IC is a mixed-signal semiconductor since it has both analog and digital components. The IC's primary uses include producing time, clock waveforms, square wave oscillators, and numerous more functions.
Using two 555 timers, speakers, and a basic circuit, this breadboard project creates a police siren sound. As indicated in the diagram above, an 8 Ohm speaker is connected to two 555 timers.
Note that, one 555 timer is attached in an astable mode (it carries no stable state, instead comes with two quasi-stable states which quickly change from one state to another and then back to the original state) and the second 555 timer is connected in the monostable mode (one of the two states is stable, and the other is nearly stable.
When a trigger input is applied, it changes from a stable state to a quasi-state and then returns to the stable state on its own after a certain amount of time) to achieve the appropriate frequency.
This setting creates a siren with a frequency of about 1 kHz. Using the knob in the circuit, the siren sound frequency can be changed to match the police siren sound. The siren is used not just in automobiles but also in many businesses, mills, and other establishments to notify workers of their shift times.
With the help of a few basic components, a cooling system to regulate a DC fan is designed in this simple breadboard project. The goal of this project is to build a cooling system by easily operating a DC fan without the need for microcontrollers or Arduino, but rather by using readily available and straightforward electronic components. Once the temperature hits a certain level, this fan will turn on.
5V DC Fan
5V battery
NTC thermistor-1 kilo-ohm
LM555 Timer
NTC thermistor-1 kilo-ohm
BC337 NPN Transistor
diode 1N4007
capacitors 0.1 uF & 200 uF
LEDs
Connecting Wires
Resistors like 10k ohm, 4.7k ohm, 5k ohm
Breadboard
In this circuit, the DC fan can be controlled using a thermistor. The resistance of the thermistor, a particular type of resistor, is largely dependent on temperature. Thermistors come in two main types including NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) and PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient).
When an NTC is employed, the resistance decreases as the temperature rises. This is the opposite in the case of PTC where resistance and temperature are directly proportional to each other.
When the temperature reaches a certain threshold, the fan turns on. The first LED, "The green LED," which indicates rising temperature, will turn ON as the temperature rises.
The second LED will turn ON when the temperature reaches the second threshold, and the fan will run as long as the temperature is over the second threshold. The fan will continue to run for a set amount of time once the temperature returns to an acceptable level.
This simple LED chaser circuit is developed using a 555 timer and 4017 IC. Together, the two ICs in this project run the LEDs in a sequence to create the illusion that they are chasing each other.
555 timers
CD 4017 IC
Resistors 470R, 1K & 47K
1uF capacitor
Connecting Wires
5 to 15 V power supply
Breadboard
Before you start working on the project, you must visit the pin diagrams of both ICs. It will help you to identify the correct pins to be used in the project.
When an IC – a 555 timer – is used in an astable mode (that produces a square wave), its output fluctuates continually between high and low supply voltages. For instance, an LED will continuously blink if it is connected between 555 timers and the ground.
The CLK input of a decade counter is connected to the output of a 555-timer IC. This IC has ten output pins, each of which is wired to an LED. The remaining output pins will all be switched OFF once the first pin is turned ON.
This simple, low-cost traffic lights model circuit is designed using two 555 timers and some other basic components.
This circuit comprises three LEDs for the indication of RED, Yellow, and Green traffic light signals. First, it will turn ON a green LED, maintains it on for a while, then briefly turns ON a yellow LED before turning on a red LED that remains ON for almost the same amount of time as the green LED.
555 Timers
Resistors of 100K, 47K, 2 x 330R, 180R
LEDs – Yellow, Red, and Green
Connecting Wires
Power Supply 5-12 V
2 Capacitors of 100uF
Breadboard
The circuit comes with two astable circuits where the first astable circuit will power the other. Therefore, only if the first 555 timer IC's output is ON will the second 555 timer IC be powered.
When the output of the first timer remains at 0V, it will turn ON the red LED. The green LED turns ON anytime the output of the second 555 timer IC is at a positive voltage, and the yellow LED will turn ON when the second 555 IC is in discharge mode.
The yellow and green LEDs would turn on at the same time. However, even before the voltage across the capacitor of the first 555 timer IC reaches two-thirds of the supply voltage, the output of the first 555 IC goes off, which will allow the red LED to turn ON and the yellow LED to turn OFF.
Hope you’ve got a brief idea of how to get started with electronic projects.
Getting hands-on experience will not only improve your technical skills but also help you to develop critical thinking to get familiar with advanced electronics.
It’s okay to become acquainted with PCBs, but if you don’t know how to solder properly or how to design a good PCB layout, it’s preferred to start working on the breadboard to keep your project up and running.
That’s all for today. Hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article. If you’re unsure or have any questions, you are welcome to reach out in the section below. I’d love to help you the best way I can. Thank you for reading this post.
Hi Guys! Hope you’re well today. I welcome you on board. In this post, I’ll walk you through How a Hobbyist Can Work on Electronic Projects in America.
Working on electronic projects is a bit inundating.
From selecting the topic to research work and development to execution, you need to hustle, grind and drill to keep your final product up and running.
When you are new to the electronic field, you must not be afraid to get your hands dirty in diving deep into the nitty-gritty of the project. This means that no matter what kind of technical project you pick, you need to spend a significant amount of your time and money to reach your final goal. It's not just about making sure that whatever it is you're looking for is done well—it's also about making sure that your project is done right from the start.
I suggest you read this post all the way through as I’ll be covering everything you need to know to make electronic projects as a hobbyist.
Development of electronic projects is tricky especially when you lack direction or you’re overwhelmed by the options available online. You can pick from a range of projects but the main goal is execution. If you fail to produce something that you proposed initially, it’s not worth it. NOPE. It’s not a good idea to pick the most difficult project to impress your instructors. Choose what resonates well with your expertise and helps you grow and excel in your field.
Newcomers have so many questions when they are about to get hands-on experience on the project. They don’t know how to start without lacking enthusiasm throughout the entire process. Don’t panic! We’ve streamlined a few steps in this post that will help you to complete your electronic project from start to finish with a proper strategy in place.
Whether you’re working alone or in a group, it all starts with brainstorming a few ideas. If you’re working in a group, make sure you work on concepts with shared interests and common grounds. Having a fruitful conversation before picking up the topic will help you figure out everyone’s weaknesses and strengths. What you lack in one area may well be covered up by someone good in that field. And if you’re aiming to develop something amazing for your final year project, this is a great opportunity to leave some sort of legacy for your juniors.
The following are the key considerations while brainstorming ideas for your electronic project.
Must be doable. You must have abilities to turn your thoughts into reality.
Start with something new. With the recent advent of technologies, there is a scope for covering something that has not been discussed before. Try incorporating microcontrollers and Arduino boards into your projects with new peripherals.
The best idea could be where you address the problem and provide a solution.
Cover both hardware and software. This is important. Covering both aspects of the project will not only polish your skills but also leave room for improvement for your juniors to work on.
Within price range. Yep, it should be well within your budget. Though you can ask for sponsorships if you want to produce something from a commercial aspect, still it’s wise to pick something that you can easily afford.
Should be completed in due time. That’s true. Deadline is important. Of course, you wouldn’t want to spend your money, time, blood and sweat that you can’t submit within time.
Once you’ve finalized the project idea, it’s time to play… Yeahhhhhh! Yep, it’s time to plan your project.
Say, if you have six months to complete your project, then divide the whole duration into dedicating each aspect of the project to a specific time limit. For instance, spare two months for research purposes, the next two months for purchasing the components and development of the project, and the final two months for the testing and execution of the project.
It is observed most engineering don’t plan their project according to the time limit and in the last month, they will be scratching their heads and doing everything to run the project. Even I did this mistake in our final year project. And we had to ask for extra days from our instructor to complete our project. So, I suggest you… please don’t do this mistake and plan your project accordingly.
Until now, you’ve selected the topic and planned the project. Now comes the research part. This is the backbone of the entire project. Start your research with what’s required to be included in both hardware and software.
Your time and energy are wasted when you rely on an inaccurate source of information. To research a subject with confidence and to cite websites as support for your writing, you should streamline your research to gain a clear understanding of the subject.
Make sure the hardware components you select are available in the market. And even if you have to buy them from outside the country, you spare enough time to incorporate them into your project.
Thoroughly go through the datasheets and pin diagrams of the components and look for possible substitutes. Why use an expensive part when a cheap substitute would suffice?
Apart from finding the components from the local market, there are scores of places online where you can get the right products. Some are better than others. But how do you differentiate them when all claim to be the best? Don’t fret! You can use Utmel Electronic Online Store which gives you quality electronic parts and components at reasonable prices to support your electronic project. From batteries, audio products, and connectors to capacitors, transistors, and evaluation boards, this place is a haven for tech nerds.
Hardware development is not a linear process. Sometimes you’ll witness going two steps backward for every step ahead. Don’t fear when this occurs since it’s what is required to turn your imagination into reality. Making hardware includes both: creation of mechanical structures and electrical circuit development.
The first step in developing the mechanical structure is making the 3D model on the computer. You can use “SolidWorks” to create the overall exterior of the project. Once you design the 3D model, turn it into a physical prototype. You can only create the model in the software but most probably, you will require someone in the market adept in understating the complexities of injection molding. Since this process is a bit tricky with many rules and regulations to follow.
If you’re a beginner and are not familiar with the nuts and bolts of developing PCBs, it’s wise to first create your hardware on the breadboard. This will help you identify all the possible mistakes before installing all these components on the printed circuit boards. Moreover, breadboards are user-friendly and you don’t require advanced technical skills to run your project.
PCBs are the cornerstone of many electronic and electrical units that provide a pathway to reduce their technological size. A PCB is often made of laminated materials like epoxy, fiberglass, or a variety of other materials that provide an essential framework for organizing electronic circuits.
You need to design your PCB to create PCB layouts. Print out your PCB layout on the glossy paper and transfer that print onto the required size copper plate.
Make sure you place the main IC into the center of the board to allow even connections with all the electronic components.
You have developed the required hardware for your project. Now is the time to use your programming skills to run your hardware.
If you’re using a microcontroller or Arduino, you might need to learn C++ since Arduino code is written in C++ with the inclusion of special functions. The code you build on the software is called a ‘sketch’ that is compiled and processed to machine language to run your hardware by the instructions given by the human input.
Similarly, if you aim to create development boards, MATLAB software is used which is quite handy for Data analytics.
A PCB and electronic design automation software suite for printed circuit boards is Altium Designer.
All circuit design activities can be completed using the tools in Altium Designer, including schematic and HDL design capture, circuit simulation, signal integrity analysis, PCB design, and the design and development of embedded systems based on FPGAs. The Altium Designer environment can also be modified to suit the needs of a wide range of users.
I don’t highly recommend this trick but if you find yourself stuck in some part of the hardware or software development, you can outsource that part to freelancers. But this is highly risky since if your instructor finds out that you were not the one who did that part, you may get into hot waters. Make sure you get your instructors on board before outsourcing the most complex part of the project.
You might have done everything right from the start, but it’s unlikely that your project starts in one go. You might need to run your project through a series of test and trial methods to identify errors and glitches in both hardware and software.
Always create a backup plan. Make your hardware in such a way that if you require some modification in the process, you can do so.
For instance, you can make a plastic casing for your mechanical structure before going for the hard metal enclosure. Ensure that the end product resonates with what you initially proposed in your proposal.
Once your project is completed and carefully tested, next comes the writing process.
Anyone can write but good writing needs practice. Make sure you dedicate this part to someone good at jotting down ideas in a clear and meaningful way.
Since the audience will get to see the end product. They don’t care how many struggles you withstood and how many sleepless nights you went through, they care about how your project can be beneficial for them and how it can solve their problems.
Additionally, it’s all about presentation. If you don’t know how to skillfully present your project, you fail to convince the audience that your project is worth spending time and money on.
It will be helpful to use data visualization in your presentation to present your project clearly and concisely. Throughout your presentation, be ready to respond to the panel's queries with care and attention.
And finally, don’t forget to make a video of your running project. Sometimes, even though the project runs smoothly, it doesn’t execute well in front of the instructors. So it’s wise to be on the safe side and record the video of your project.
You can make a home automation IoT project to remotely control the appliances of your home.
You can build an automatic security system that informs you whenever someone trespasses your home boundaries.
Develop an advanced light system that can be used to turn on the light loads whenever they detect human presence within range.
You may also create a robotic metal detector system that can find metals in the ground, and inside food products with the help of radiofrequency technology.
Build automatic solar tracker. To make sure your panel receives the most radiation possible throughout the day, you can construct trackers that follow the sun's path from sunrise to sunset.
Make Wireless Lock System Through OTP that provides a smart security solution.
Still reading? Perfect.
It means you’ve learned some valuable insights into how to develop your electronic project from start to execution.
Just follow these steps and you’ll be well ahead in turning your idea from ideation to execution.
Start with a simple doable idea. Some ideas may look best initially, but when you start working on them they become unrealistic.
Don’t forget to ask for help if you get stuck in the process. Since when you never ask for it, the answer is always NO.
That’s all for today. Hope you’ve enjoyed reading about how a hobbyist can work on electronic projects in America. If you are unsure or 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.
Hi Friends! Hope you’re well today. I’ll welcome you on board. In this post, I’ll walk you through How a Hobbyist Can Work on Electronic Projects in America.
From smartphones to security systems and appliances to advanced automation equipment, electronics seem to engulf every aspect of life. And with the recent advancement in technology, this trend will continue to make our lives easy and better for years on end. BUT… before you can take part in the development of innovative and advanced electronic machinery, you need to get your hands dirty with DIY electronic projects. These small and easy-to-handle projects give you confidence that you can do better and put your deliberate effort to delight the lives of people with your intellect.
If you’re just starting, we suggest you visit North America Hot Searched Electronic Platform which houses scores of electronic components that you can use in your electronic projects.
Curious to know more about how a hobbyist can work on electronic projects in America?
Keep reading.
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| 1 | Arduino Nano | Amazon | Buy Now | |
Electronic devices are not cheap, however, there is a catch. Some small electronic devices and electrical projects you find online can be made in homes with a handful of tools and electrical components. There are some ready-made small kits and electrical modules like microcontrollers and Arduino boards that you can use in your electronic projects and develop a mini home-made electronic device.
In the following, I’m going to discuss some DIY projects that you can work on as a starter. No big setup. No advanced equipment is required. All you need to know is some basic computer skills and the right components to build something amazing from scratch.
A liquid level indicator is a simple electronic project used to identify the current level of the liquid. It is widely used in a range of applications like irrigation control, fuel tank level, cooling tower, and level gauging in pumps.
The following are some components used in this project.
3 PNP A1015 transistors
3 LEDs
9V battery
Breadboard
Battery Clips
Probes
Connecting Wires
PVC tubing
The following figure shows the circuit diagram of the project.
The circuit shows the signal by lighting up the LED whenever a tank reaches a certain level. The tank is divided into 3 levels: Low, Medium, and Full, based on the liquid capacity of the tank. Similarly, three LEDs are included to indicate a certain level where Red LED shows the Low level, Yellow shows the Medium level and Green shows the Full level. The transistor base is connected with the copper or aluminum wire that acts as a probe.
Each transistor's base receives an electrical connection to 9V DC through water and the desired probe indicating the liquid level is started to rise. Consequently, this causes the transistors to conduct, causing LEDs to illuminate and show the level of liquid.
A beep circuit is a very handy electronic device mainly used for generating a quick sound in emergencies in places like fire brigade stations, police stations, hospitals, and factory areas for smoke detection. Devices like security and alarm systems use this circuit to send alert warnings of the emergency.
1KΩ, 1.2KΩ, 470Ω Resisters
NPN 2N4401 Transistors
LED
9V Battery
2-input NAND Gate
Connecting Wires
Breadboard
Battery Clips
The following figure shows the circuit diagram of the Beep Circuit.
The output at the pin4 IC continuously goes up and down based on the 2 NAND gates that are wired as a-stable multi-vibrator. This setup switches the 2N4401 transistor ON & OFF which serves as a driving force for the piezoelectric buzzer. In turn, the buzzer produces a beep sound triggering the LED continuously.
This is a simple and cheap circuit. LEDs are widely used to produce durable light with low power. This circuit consists of two AAA cells that are connected in series producing 3V in total. It is enough to generate high-power illumination with an input current of just 20mA.
2 AAA cells (1.5V each)
Push button
LED
Connecting Wires
The following figure shows the diagram of the LED Flash Light Circuit.
In this figure, the LED is connected with the positive and negative terminals of the 3V battery using two cells. A push button is connected in series between the battery and the LED. When you push the button, it will instantly complete the circuit, allowing the charge to pass through LED and, in turn, illuminating it.
Metal detector circuits, as the name suggests, are used to detect the existence of any metal. These devices identify the change of magnetic field which is directly related to the distance of metal objects. They are used for a range of purposes like security screening and detecting the traces of metals in food products.
PVC Tubing
NPN BC548 Transistor
LM7806 Voltage Regulator
10uF/16V Electrolyt ic Capacitor
100pF, 10pF Ceramic Capacitor
Resistors
6V Battery
Breadboard
Connecting Wires
The following figure shows the circuit diagram of the metal detector circuit.
The circuit is made of old radio and a single BC548 transistor. The AM radio produces a hissing sound when you place this circuit in the vicinity of any metal object, indicating the presence of metal within a range. The L1 indicates 60 turns of enameled copper wire that is wired on a 1cm PVC tube. The 6V battery is used to power up the circuit.
Fire alarm electrical device is commonly used in factories to detect the presence of fire. When a fire breaks out in a place, the circuit instantly identifies the smoke produced by the fire, triggering an alarm sound to warn people about it within range.
The following components are used in this circuit.
The device is equipped with LDR to detect smoke
IC UM 66 acts as a tone generator
IC 7805 used to run a tone generator
TDA 2003 IC is an alarm system that acts as an amplifier to give signals to the speakers
9V battery that serves as a power source
Resistors
Capacitors
Breadboard
Connecting Wires
The following figure shows the circuit diagram of the fire alarm circuit.
Sensing the heartbeat is crucial for patients and athletes to identify the current condition of the heart. This way they can do preventive maintenance of the heart to ward off potential diseases. These sensors can be used in chest strips, smartphones, and wristwatches to monitor the heart rate.
Arduino Uno
16x2 LCDs
Push Button
Connecting Wires
10KΩ Potentiometer
Heartbeat Sensor Module with Probe
Breadboard
330Ω Resistor
A method that measures changes in blood volume in an organ is called photoplethysmography . This method tracks variations in the brightness of the light entering the organ. The Heartbeat Sensor operates based on this idea.
An IR LED is commonly used as the light source in the sensor. LDR, photodiode, and photoresistor can be used as photodetectors.
The light source and photodetector can be arranged in two ways:
Reflective Sensor: In this setting, the detector and light source are next to one another. To read the heartbeat rate, the patient holds their finger in front of the sensor.
Transmissive Sensor: In this arrangement, the patient’s finger is placed between the receiver and transmitter, where the detector and source light face each other.
The following figure shows the diagram of the heartbeat sensor.
Wireless doorbell is commonly used in shops, hospitals, factories, offices, and garages.
This doorbell uses an RF module and hence comes with a wide range compared to wired or Wi-Fi doorbells.
434 MHz RF Transmitter Module
434 MHz RF Receiver Module
Arduino UNO
750 KΩ Resistor
HT – 12D Decoder IC
HT – 12E Encoder IC
Push button
9V Power Supply
Buzzer
Breadboard
Connecting Wires
The circuit comes with Arduino Uno and an RF module. The Arduino Uno is mainly used to analyze the data. The RF module is applied for the development of wireless communication.
A wireless doorbell system can be powered by batteries or by connecting to the home's main electrical supply. Wireless doorbell installation is simple since no wiring is required. For the receiver, only a power outlet will do.
The following figure shows the circuit diagram of the wireless doorbell.
We are all aware of how coronavirus rattled the entire world. Apart from wearing masks outside, washing hands was crucial to prevent the wrath of the virus. Since when you don’t wash your hands and touch your face or food, the virus is likely to spread to people around you. This is where the handwash timer comes in handy.
Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04
Three LEDs: Red, Blue, Green
Breadboard
Connecting Wires
It is a simple electronic project where Arduino is the brain of the countdown timer. We’ll attach the Arduino with 6 LEDs and an ultrasonic distance sensor.
With the help of the distance sensor, the Arduino transmits ultrasonic sound waves and measures the amount of time it takes for the sound waves to be reflected back to the sensor. It calculates the distance to whatever appears in front of it using the current time. In turn, the Arduino continuously reads the sensor while witnessing your hand come within 20 centimeters.
The Arduino turns on the red LED and waits for you to wash your hands with water and soap for four seconds as soon as it senses movement within 20 centimeters. The 20-second countdown then begins. The five blue LEDs eventually begin to illuminate one by one over 20 seconds.
Turning up the green LED will indicate that you have washed your hands for a considerable amount of time, at which point you can rinse the soap off.
The following figure shows the circuit diagram of the handwash timer.
Rain Alarm is a nifty electronic project to detect the presence of rain. It will turn on the buzzer when its sensors detect rainwater.
BC 547 Transistor
100 Ohm Resistor
Home Fabricated Water Sensor
9V Battery
Piezo Buzzer
Breadboard
Connecting Wires
The following figure shows the Rain Alarm Circuit Diagram.
Raindrops that bridge over the screw tips make up the sensing element. When the drops fall on the screw tips, it allows a tiny electrical current to pass through the metal and turn on the transistor's base. The transistor then begins to conduct and increases the conductivity across its collector/emitter terminals.
In turn, the connected buzzer gets turned ON, giving the signals to the concerned authority to take appropriate action to deal with the rainwater.
Hope you have got enough information about some simple and easy-to-handle electronic projects to give you hands-on experience in dealing with electrical circuits and components. But there are some key considerations that you need to follow that will help you to successfully take your project from start to finish to execution.
Make sure the contact between the soldering iron and the component doesn’t last longer than 1 sec. Otherwise, it will hurt the efficiency of the component, or worse, can completely damage the product.
Always pay special heed to the positive and negative terminals of the components while making connections.
Install the main ICs and modules like microcontrollers at the center of the whole circuit. This will help to evenly manage the connections with the relevant electrical components.
Make a tight connection between the circuit and the components. Loose connection makes affect the working of the final project.
Read the manuals that come with ICs or electronic modules. This will help you have a better understanding of the product and what you can do to avoid damage.
That’s all for today. Hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article. If you’re unsure or have any queries, 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.
Hi Folks! Hope you’re well today. Happy to see you around. In this post, I’ll walk you through Top Online Software Used for PCB Designing.
PCB manufacturing starts from the simple layout design. If your design is free from errors, it will not only save you tons of time and money but also accelerate the production process. You’ll find scores of PCB design software out there. Some are better than others.
So how do you keep up?
This is a difficult task, in fact. Hence we’ve compiled the list of 10 best online software for PCB designing that will help you streamline your design process and get your boards ready for manufacturing.
Keep reading.
Know that if certain software is good for one project it doesn’t it will be equally handy for all electronic projects. Therefore we are giving you tons of options to pick from. Some are free designing tools and others are paid based on the features included in the software. So choose your pick wisely.
Fusion 360 is a unified software platform for electronics, engineering, design, and manufacturing. It combines CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB design in a single tool, offering a flexible environment to monitor product performance and test your designs before the manufacturing process even begins.
Fusion 360 is a cloud-based tool connecting your entire product development process into a single platform and allowing you to interact with other team members from anywhere in the world. Not only is it handy for electrical engineers, but it also offers design solutions to mechanical engineers, industrial designers, machinists, hobbyists, and startups. You can start with a free trial and get a yearly subscription for only $545 per year.
Moreover, you can get familiar with the software with the video tutorials and self-guided courses available on the website. And get access to the technical staff that contains industry professionals ready to solve your design issues.
Altium Designer is a powerful and intuitive PCB design software that offers a unified design experience, allowing electrical engineers to view every tiny detail of the design process from idea to execution. The tool comes with a sleek and clean interface, empowering designers to access all design tools in one place to limit the possibility of errors.
From schematic to PCB layout to design documentation, the tool makes every process easy and hassle-free. Plus, the software offers seamless integration with other ECAD/MCAD tools including PTC Creo Parametric, SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion 360, and Autodesk Inventor. This means you can effortlessly collaborate with mechanical engineers for different design requirements without heavy file exchanges.
Altium Designer allows a cloud-based environment, permitting easy collaboration with other team members remotely, so you can get feedback on your design and instantly remove issues, and exchange data whenever and wherever required.
Speed up your design process with OrCAD PCB Software which offers scalable PCB design solutions to create designs as you like better. The company keeps updating the product with future design possibilities to ensure the best design solution for electrical engineers. The program features a range of technologies including schematic capture, PCB editing and routing, librarian tools, auto-routing, signal integrity, and more.
Get familiar with brilliant and spontaneous etch editing and placement capabilities to maximize your productivity. Additionally, with constraint management, you can make sure your final design resonates with certain requirements like length rules, net, spacing, and more.
A worldwide network of Cadence Channel Partners (VARs) sells and supports this software and you can fill up the form online to get an instant quote based on your design requirements. The product includes OrCAD PCB designer, OrCAD PSpice Designer, OrCAD Sigrity ERC, and OrCAD Capture CIS.
Backed with thousands of users worldwide, DipTrace is an intuitive schematic and PCB design software that offers economical and powerful design solutions to electrical engineers and hobbyists.
The program comes with an up-to-date components library that houses more than 160,000 components and 22,000+ patterns developed based on IPC-7351 Standard. Schematic capture is an advanced tool that features multi-sheet and multi-level hierarchical schematics. Using pattern and components editors you can design new components with custom templates.
Another innovative design tool is the pattern generator that automatically creates footprints and 3D models. Exchange your files with other 2D/3D CAD tools like Altinum or OrCAD. The import and export facility allows you to easily convert your schematic to PCB and revert to the same file format. Get high-speed signals and 3D previews from your PCB layout. No matter the stage you are in during your development process, you can analyze it on screen and form an instant decision to make your final decision an ultimate success.
Start with a 30-day free trial and then choose from a range of paid plans that start with 300 pins and 2 signal layers to unlimited pins and unlimited layers.
This tool has been in practice for quite a while now and is still used by big electronic companies, hence providing an easy development process for end users. Eagle is an EDA (electronic design automation) software that is built from the ground up that offers tools for MCAD, true 3D modeling, collaboration, documentation, simulation, and manufacturing. The program allows electrical engineers to effortlessly work on schematic diagrams, components placement, and PCB routing.
Eagle collaborates with Fusion 360 to offer an unparalleled experience for data management, and mechanical and PCB design, streamlining the product development process for everyone to contribute with endless possibilities. Compared to other software, this program comes with a simple interface, where you don’t get inundated by the scores of tools, menus, and buttons. At the time of writing this article, Eagle offers paid plan for $545 per year, however, you can get in touch with the sales team to learn more about the financing options.
Streamline your design process with KiCAD EDA – an open-source platform to meet your design needs. From basic schematic to complex designs, the tool automates the design process to maximize your productivity and turn your imagination into reality. The official library houses tons of thousands of symbols to pick from or gives you the ability to create your custom symbols.
Moreover, you can verify your design with both electrical rules checker and an integrated SPICE simulator. Features like excellent visualization and a powerful interactive router ease your layout tasks with better control over the design. KiCad's 3D Viewer is a remarkable addition to the product that empowers you to examine the mechanical structure and visualize your finished product. Present your work with a built-in raytracer that features customizable lighting to develop realistic images. The program is compatible with a range of operating systems that you can select from the website. However, if your system is not listed on the mentioned OS, you can submit a merge request to get a product that resonates with your operating system settings.
Incorporated with a controlled autorouter and multi-page schematic, PCB Artist offers easy-to-use design solutions to electronic engineers. It features a components library with more than 500,000 parts allowing you to design your PCB with advanced components. The neat and sleek interface allows everyone to create circuit boards with little to no design knowledge. Even a beginner can get familiar with the tool with little effort.
With free live chat support, you can get technical support for your design needs. PCB Artist is committed to delivering flawless services to a range of organizations including small businesses, enterprises, non-profits, govt. and small businesses. Guides and tutorials are available to help you get a hold of the software and dig into designing the most complex parts.
After all this grind and drill, your PCB design is ready. You have carefully created Gerber and BOM files with the final ready-to-use board in mind. Now comes the manufacturing part. And you have tons of options to pick from. To keep you covered, we are describing one of the finest PCB manufacturing houses – PCBWay.
PCBWay is a China-based company that offers a range of services from basic PCB manufacturing, SMD stencil, and PCB assembly to 3D printing and CNC machining. What makes it unique from the competitors? Good question. The quality service at an economical price with brilliant customer support keeps this company above the rest.
They have a team of expert professionals that don’t compromise on quality and make sure every customer is heard, validated, and valued. No matter the product needs, they will help you and treat you like a part of the development stage so you never feel left out in the process.
And the best part – once you become a part of their community and become a regular customer, they give you a discount with every order. Moreover, you can invite friends with the referral link to join the company and can enjoy a 5% commission on each order. You’ll Beans as a reward for every purchase which will help you get parts from the PCBWay online shop. Additionally, you can share your projects on the website and engage a wider audience, and get acquainted with like-minded people.
It all starts with the neat and straightforward website interface that is flooded with information about the company and what they offer. Get familiar with the services they provide with a single click. No back-and-forth run of pages that make you overwhelmed with unnecessary information. You can click PCB Instant Quote option on the front page and start filling out the form with the parameters and the requirement of the final circuit board.
Some people are not adept at installing the components on the board. This is where PCBA service comes in handy. Once you click the instant quote option and scroll down you’ll see the Assembly service which gives you flexible options to either allow PCBWay to source components or you can provide them for the installation on the manufactured board.
PCBWay has established its name in the electronic industry with brilliant service and quality products. This time they have taken one step further. They have recently introduced CNC machining and 3D printing service to satisfy their clients with 3D modeling needs. To get those services, you can pick from the range of materials you want your product to be made from. 3D printing can manufacture parts within hours all the while maintaining accuracy and quality.
Technical support is readily available. If you struggle to make the final decision for your finished product, they will guide you with technical complications so you can get your desired product without errors. Once you upload the Gerber and production files, they will thoroughly review them before confirming the order, so you can fix issues in advance to speed up the production process.
Hope you get familiar with the features of the PCB software mentioned above.
It is wise to get the trial version of the software before going for the paid option. This way you can make an educated decision if this is what you’re looking for.
Once you successfully make your design, it’s time to get a manufacturing service to get your board in real time. And in our opinion, PCBWay is a decent choice to meet your manufacturing needs and properly execute your electronic projects.
That’s all for today. I’m positive that you’ve enjoyed reading this article. 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 post.
First article inspections, originally developed for the aerospace and defense industries, are now being used as best practices in other industries. They are an effective way to ensure that the manufacturing process produces an output that meets design specifications. First article inspection helps reduce production delays and waste.
First article inspection is an integral part of the AS9145 process. It is also part of the APQP/PPAP (Advance Product Quality Planning/Production Planning and Control) approval process. The first article inspection report summarizes the design and manufacturing process of the part, including specification requirements, raw materials and associated sub-assemblies.
First article inspections are performed to ensure that the supplier's manufacturing process meets the design specifications. They can be completed by the supplier or the purchaser.
First article inspection is typically performed by obtaining part dimensions using a CMM (computerized measuring machine). Afterwards, the dimensions are compared to the original design. This allows the buyer to identify potential problems early. First part inspection can also be used to detect errors in the operator's process.
FAI works best when used in conjunction with a supplier who has experience in manufacturing precision parts. The advantage of using FAI is that it reduces the number of defects generated in the first place, thus saving money on rework.
First article inspections are also useful in industries where expensive materials cannot be reworked. They are particularly important in the aerospace industry, where accuracy is critical. They help ensure that the characteristics of all components are taken into account. First-part inspections also ensure repeatability of the manufacturing process.
First article inspection is an important part of the quality control program. It ensures a consistent manufacturing process and guarantees product specifications. It can also help you save money.
First article inspection is a quality control process often used by manufacturers of small, complex parts. It involves using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to compare manufactured parts to specifications. The results of the inspection are usually recorded in a first article inspection report.
First article inspection is critical because it provides an objective measurement of the manufacturing process and helps determine if the product meets customer specifications. It is usually completed by the supplier or an approved subcontractor. First article inspections are beneficial to a wide range of industries. They are particularly useful in industries with stringent specifications and requirements. For example, first article inspection is an important part of quality control in the aerospace industry.
FAI is also a useful quality control tool when expensive materials are used. It can confirm that the product is of sufficient material quality and cannot be reworked.
The first article inspection process can be automated. A process can be created that automatically sends the form to the approver. This helps eliminate errors and ensures that no important information is missed. It can also help develop standard operating procedures.
FAI is beneficial because it can reveal problems that are not visible during mass production. It can also reveal changes in operator processes. First article inspection can also help you determine if adjustments need to be made to the manufacturing process.
PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) is a collection of documents used to validate a manufacturer's manufacturing process. It is used to help manufacturers meet customer requirements for product quality and safety. It is a risk identification process that helps reduce revisions while ensuring a repeatable process. It is overseen by the International Aerospace Quality Group.
The PPAP contains a list of test results, manufacturing process details, and quality control plans. PPAP submissions are created collaboratively between the customer and the supplier. The customer must certify the supplier.
Manufacturing industries such as the automotive and aerospace industries use PPAP processes. The checklist identifies the information needed for each stage of the new product introduction process. It also includes a PFMEA, process flow diagram and gauge R&R that must be provided by the supplier to prove that the raw materials meet the customer's specifications.
FAI(First article inspection) is a critical step in the manufacturing process. It checks design and manufacturing documentation to ensure that the process is repeatable and that the product meets the customer's specifications. It also ensures that the supplier's manufacturing process is appropriate for the part.
FAI is also used to verify that external special handling steps have been performed by the supplier. It should be performed after tooling changes, repairs, or design changes. It should occur after the manufacturing process has been stable for a period of time.
After adding a new supplier to the manufacturing process, the supplier must perform a FAI. It would be advantageous to manufacture a sample unit for the customer for evaluation purposes.
Performing a first article inspection is an important step in delivering the goods the buyer needs. It helps the manufacturer determine if they are producing the correct parts to specification. Buyers can also confirm that the manufacturer understands their design during the first inspection. It helps reduce manufacturing delays and waste.
Product inspection is performed first before the mass production process begins. These inspections can be performed on parts made by different suppliers or using various equipment or methods of manufacturing. In addition, they are used in the aerospace and defense industries. These are some of the industries that can benefit from the use of first article inspection.
The first article inspection report is an objective proof that the part meets the specifications. It includes dimensional and cavity measurements. The report also summarizes quality control checks. It also includes a table of inspection requirements that includes balloon numbers, associated tolerances and specifications.
First-part inspections are critical in a wide range of industries. They are especially important for manufacturers of small, complex parts with tight tolerances. These inspections are necessary because problems are identified early in the manufacturing process, saving money and time.
If a supplier is responsible for producing large quantities, quality control procedures must be in place. Each product must be manufactured to the specifications provided by the customer. It is more expensive to find problems later in the manufacturing process.
First article inspection services allow suppliers to identify problems before mass production. This saves money because it identifies problems earlier and reduces downtime in the correction process.
First article inspection is performed by qualified personnel who use Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) to inspect manufactured parts. Coordinate measuring machines are the most accurate measuring instruments used in quality control. They are also used to inspect parts that are difficult or time-consuming to inspect.
First article inspection is usually performed at the beginning of a production run. First-part inspection is not required for second and third production runs. However, for new orders, a first article inspection report may be required in some cases. It can also be done by an approved subcontractor.
Companies supplying to government agencies or other regulated industries must be more careful in their manufacturing processes. They must also be more stringent in the quality of their materials. FAI helps them meet these requirements. The process also ensures that all requirements are met and reduces the potential for costly errors.
The cost of first article inspection is usually very low. In major cities in China, India and Vietnam, it typically costs about $299 per person-day. However, additional travel costs may be incurred in other regions. FAI costs must be included in the total project cost.
Many manufacturers in industries such as automotive, aerospace and medical devices use First Article Inspection reports. These reports are very detailed and contain information about the quality of the part manufacturing process.
First article inspection is a critical quality control step. It helps ensure that the product meets design specifications. It clarifies expectations and saves time and money by identifying problems early. First article inspection also has advantages in highly regulated industries. First article inspection reports are often used in such industries to ensure that products meet engineering design specifications.
Several steps are required to perform a first article inspection. Depending on the needs of the buyer and supplier, first article inspection can be performed for a variety of reasons. Many industries use first article inspection, including aerospace, automotive and medical devices. It can also be used for purchase orders and procurement planning.
Suppliers and buyers must work together to ensure that the product meets all requirements when performing first article inspection. When a part does not meet specifications, it is usually the supplier's fault. The supplier may need to modify the design or manufacturing process.
Purchase orders, purchase planning and manufacturing can all benefit from first article inspection. Each parameter and step of the manufacturing process should be verified in a report. An automated workflow can generate a first article inspection report. The report can then be automatically sent to the approver.
First article inspection is a quality control process that occurs prior to the start of the batch manufacturing process. It is an objective measurement of the manufacturing process and helps to confirm compliance with engineering design specifications. It also helps to eliminate waste, confirm safety requirements and reduce costs.
Hi Friends! Hope you’re well today. Happy to see you around. In this post, I’ll walk you through How to Install PCBWay Plugin for KiCAD PCB Software.
Before we move further, let’s get a brief overview of KiCAD PCB Software.
KiCAD is a free and open-source electronic design application mainly developed to draw schematics and PCB layouts. It is open-source which means anyone can use it to develop and modify electronic designs. The tool can effortlessly run on Windows, macOS and Linux. The main window of the application comes with 8 different software tools used to make PCB layouts and schematics.
Hope you’ve got a sneak peek at the software. Now we’ll get to know how to install the PCBWay Plugin for KiCAD.
When you install PCBWay Plugin for the KiCAD, you can instantly send the PCB layout to the PCBWay for the production of your required boards.
To install PCBWay Plugin, go to the KiCAD website. The following page will appear when you visit the website.
Click the “Download” button encircled in red. When you click it, the following image will turn up.
Here you will see the list of operating systems you can pick from. Click the required system. For instance, if you click the windows operating system, the following image will come up.
Based on your system requirement, you can choose between the 64-bit and 32-bit. When you click anyone of them, the following image will come up.
Here you’ll see the different downloading links based on your location. The recommended option is the “Worldwide” with the link from GitHub.
When you click this option, the software will start downloading.
Once downloaded, right-click the software and click “open”.
When you click it, the window will open up. Then click the “next” and then “install” when you click it, your installation will start as follows.
Once installation is completed, click the “Finish” as follows.
Then start the software. Once you start it, the following options will appear. You can either import the settings from the previous version or you can start with default settings to start it from scratch as follows.
When you start with the default settings, the following window will appear. Go to the “Tools” section and select “Plugin and Content Manager”.
The list of plugins will open up. Scroll it down and find the “PCBWay Plug-in for KiCAD” as follows.
Click “install” and then click “Apply Changes” and the PCBWay plug-in for KiCAD will be installed through which you can send your PCB layout to the PCBWay with just one click.
When you click PCBWay Plug-in button on Kicad, the following files will be exported to your project:
1. Gerber files used for production
2. IPC-Netlist file
3. Bom-file that comes with the information of components
4. Pick and Place-file in assembly
When you click "Save to Cart" to immediately placing an order after you upload the files, the PCBWay team of professionals will cross check the files before starting the final production.
Choosing the right manufacturer is tricky, especially when everyone claims to be the best in the market. In this read, we’re covering the most renowned PCB manufacturing company that has been serving the electronic industry for over a decade now.
PCBWay is a china-based PCB fabrication house. It is a one stop shop for both PCB and PCBA (printed circuit board assembly). From single layer, double layer and multiple layers to flex, rigid and rigid-flex boards, they have you covered. They come with 50 engineers on board that make sure the manufactured board run through a stringent inspection processes. They ensure the customers’ demands are properly met so they keep coming back for what the company has to offer.
They strive to meet the customers’ expectations by standing on their words. A few customers have seen the slight change in price of the final product. But that’s not their fault. It’s on the customer side since they didn’t pay special heed to matching the parameters of the production files. So, keep in mind… before you submit an order, make sure the parameters of Gerber and production files exactly match with the ones you put online during the submission of order in an instant quote. If they don’t match, you may see the slight change in price for the production of the final product.
When your order process is complete, they will send you three emails: First email will tell you about the order status, whether it’s been approved or rejected. Second email is about the successful payment and production management and the third one is for the products being shipped. This way, you remain thoroughly updated about the processes your product will go through. Know that, you can ask for the change in parameters of the product before the production process is scheduled. However, if your product already goes through the initial stages and has reached the certain stage of product, you cannot ask for the change and the parameters will remain the same you initially put during the order submission.
They value your time and money. They know how it’s important to deliver products on time so folks working on their electronic projects can develop and execute their projects in a timely manner. PCBWay takes pride in achieving a 99% delivery rate. They work 24/7 from Monday to Friday to make sure the final products are delivered as promised.
The best thing about PCBWay is that when you become their regular customer and buy more PCBs, you become a part of their V5 members. These members can enjoy 5% off on upcoming orders. Additionally, you get Beans when we put your order online. Beans are rewards points that come in handy to buy electronics products from their online shop.
That’s all for today. Hope you find this article helpful. If you have any questions regarding the installation of the PCBWay Plugin, you can ask in the section below. We’d love to help you in the best way possible. Thank you for reading the article.
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.
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.