Learned how to use Mercurial version control system. This simple to use package enables large teams to update, merge and otherwise control their information.
Built one of three toys in prototype form on the laser cutter. The first toy is a ball and is finished as a proto. Also cut a cube but the chamfers were incorrect. Up next is finishing the cube and finalizing a pyramid.
status 3.16.11: Ball done, cube done, tetrahedron upcoming.
This week we cut FabISP circuit boards on the Modela CNC, then populated the boards with components. FabISP is simple, open programmer for interfacing with AVR (Arduino, ATTiny, etc) based microcontrollers.
Assignment: build it big with the Shopbot. Lacking a Shopbot in studio, Providence will be cutting pieaces over the next few weeks. Going with our theme of tool building, I am working on a set of sawhorses. Two flavors are explored for now, the primary being a Japanese style uprights, the secondary being a standard a-frame. Pics when they get cut, sketches of both styles for now.
status 3.16.11: model done, waiting on Keeseh Studios cutting slot.
Assignment: layout Hello World board in Eagle. First time doing circuit design, took longer than expected. Design done on March 9, cutting and soldering upcoming.
status 3.16.11 layout done, still need to mill and stuff.
Assignment: print something on the Makerbot. Normal toolchain for this is through modelling to .stl, then running it through Meshlab if needed, then Skeinforge and finally to ReplicatorG. Spending a lot of time with OpenSCAD in week 8 really paid off. Due to it's Constructive Solid Geometry, the .stl files it produces import directly into Replicator G.
Milled Hello RGB file, used flux for soldering with great results. We have a pile of ATTiny85s so this board uses an '85 with slightly adjusted code below. Board worked on first load. This is just a simple board with an ATTiny85 and multi-color LED for output.
