Author Archives: robertwilkie

Build a simple and cheap servo tester with Attiny

Posted on April 15, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice simple design for a servo tester.  Could be useful if you have alot of them to test out http://www.instructables.com/id/Attiny254585-PWM-generator-and-Servo-tester/

Posted in Arduino, Tinkering | Comments Off on Build a simple and cheap servo tester with Attiny

Make a $40 Oscilloscope with touch display

Posted on April 15, 2014 by robertwilkie

The $40 is for the mega board and display.  Probes not included (so add another $10).  Good project and nice write-up for a simple cheap oscilloscope. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-Oscilloscope-Using-the-SainSmart-Mega2560-/ http://www.sainsmart.com/home-page-view/sainsmart-mega2560-board-3-5-tft-lcd-module-display-shield-kit-for-atmel-atmega-avr-16au-atmega8u2.html

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on Make a $40 Oscilloscope with touch display

How to make cheap lithium battery packs

Posted on April 15, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on how to convert phone batteries into useful battery packs.  What I found interesting was that the batteries have limit switches built in that need to be removed and that if you do not save the tabs, you … Continue reading →

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Simple air flow sensor

Posted on April 15, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting build for an air sensor.  The author built it from scrapes and it seems to work OK.  Not so sure how reliable for long term solution or outdoor one it would be. http://www.instructables.com/id/low-cost-air-flow-sensor/

Posted in Cheap, Wind | Comments Off on Simple air flow sensor

A simple belt tensioner

Posted on April 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

This was worth checking out, the author just took a clothes pin and pulled out the spring part and is using that to tighten a belt.  This is important with CNC/3D systems and robots (so the belt doesn’t skip). http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:298142

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, robots | Comments Off on A simple belt tensioner

Build a portable work area/desk

Posted on April 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

I almost fell over when I saw this.  Its a clever idea and if you are a college student or someone that moves around alot.  This could be handy.  But…at $250 in materials, not to mention build time, I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on Build a portable work area/desk

Now you can use other IDE’s for Teensy 3

Posted on April 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

I haven’t had alot of experience with the Teensy, but from the sounds of its you are stuck using the Arduino IDE to program it.  The author in this article build the lower level tools so that you are no … Continue reading →

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Using other IDE’s for the Teensy 3

Posted on April 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

I haven’t had alot of experience with the Teensy, but from the sounds of its you are stuck using the Arduino IDE to program it.  The author in this article build the lower level tools so that you are no … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino | Comments Off on Using other IDE’s for the Teensy 3

Xerox buys up another company

Posted on April 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

Xerox bought anotehr company, Smart Data Consulting, which from the looks of it, writes software for e-Discovery for Lawyers. http://www.greenbang.com/xerox-acquires-smart-data-consulting_26143.html http://www.kmworld.com/Articles/News/News/Xerox-goes-deeper-with-e-discovery-managed-services-96281.aspx

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Xerox buys up another company

H1B visa for 2014 burned up in days

Posted on April 11, 2014 by robertwilkie

I love these articles, they try to point to the “high demand” for tech skills.  What is really happening is there is a high demand for skills that the person know exactly what to do AND is really cheap.  If … Continue reading →

Posted in Software Development | Comments Off on H1B visa for 2014 burned up in days