The Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip is a remarkable microcontroller. The programmable IO block (PIO) is only one many great features of this chip. In this post, I show you a method how utilise PIO, to capture the speed of an...

I got many requests to add split storage boxes to my system. Reasons were to print huge boxes and printing boxes on small printer beds. In the past few days, I released an update to my storage boxes system, introducing...

When I wrote part 3 of the pet feeder series, I did not expect the light transmission issues of this part. Now, I have two solutions with new revisions of the part. Solution 1: Epoxy Filled Slots This is the...

To solve the problem with light inference, I tested five different revisions of the turntable platform. For each revision, I recorded the sensor values and compared them to find the best solution. Visual Comparison Revision A is the original with...

The seventh part of this series is all about the sensor board. It hosts the position sensor and four fill sensors. Speaking of sensors sounds complex, but these are just pairs of IR-LEDs and phototransistors. All design files for the...

As you read in my last post about the pet-feeding device project, there was an issue with the fill sensors. The lines from the 3d-print transferred the light directly to the sensor and made a useful measurement impossible. One of...

First, I’d like to thank you very much for reading this, 😄 because it means you are already a great supporter of my work. On my blog, you saw beautiful photos of electronic boards, got detailed instructions on how to...

While testing the sensor panel, I ran into unexpected problems, requiring a small redesign. First, let me explain the simple working principle of the fill sensor circuit and what I tested so far. The Circuit The circuit for the fill...

In this short update, I will talk about the improved stepper driver for the pet-feeder device. While working on the sensor board, to see if the fill sensors work as expected, it also involved using the stepper motor. Here, I...

Ordering a board with perfect spaced pads to use an SMD connector takes a few days of patience unless you live near a PCB prototyping facility. With striped prototyping boards, you can stick a MircoMaTch or similar connector into your...

I worked on testing the sensor board. The first tests I did were about the position sensor. Recap Let me recap the design of the position sensor in the device: The turntable has five position slots, marked red in the...

I mentioned in one of my posts how to assemble the MicroMaTch connectors using a hammer, but never explained the rather simple method in detail. So I made a short video, explaining the exact technique I use. If you have...

A short update about the progress with the sensor panel and photos of the final input panel board. I assembled the new boards and are testing the sensors. As soon as all tests are done, and I am happy with...

When I migrated several servers into a new server rack, I put my Arduino Uno based fan controller into a new enclosure. Not a great solution, but good recycling of this existing project and way better than the built-in, on/off...

For the pet feeding device, I ordered boards from OSHpark with the “After Dark” style. This colour combination of the black substrate with the copper and transparent solder mask is just beautiful. I made this post just in case you...

I created a new tool to easily convert bitmaps into code for MicroPython. This first version is just a start, creating a framework where I can add additional converters. If you have any questions, missed information, or simply want to...

This design is not for everyone. 😅 A decorative and modular, but quite massive box. Built from 3d-printed parts, 5mm plywood panels and plenty 3x10mm wood screws. The instructions in this post show a basic box with the inner dimensions...

The sixth part of this series is all about the input panel. We will talk about the layout of the front panel, the rotary encoder as the main component and I will explain my example circuit and board. As usual,...

In order to test the input panel, I had to connect the 14 lines to the test setup on a breadboard. Just using a pin header was too flimsy for me, because I often reuse these test connectors on different...

I got another flawless, perfectly produced PCB by Eurocircuits. This is Revision A of the input panel board I published in the last post. There are only minor changes in the silkscreen and a little bit larger rings around the...

I am currently working on the input panel board for the pet-feeding device. You are invited to review the board and send me your comments or suggestions via this page, Twitter or email. About the Input Panel The input panel...

In the fifth part of this series, we print the turntable and talk about the back panel of the enclosure. If you missed one of the previous parts, visit the overview page to access them. The Files You will find...

This is the fourth part of the series. In this part we insert the insets in the previously printed parts, print the lids and talk about the front panel. If you missed one of the previous parts, visit the overview...

I just published another set of 500 boxes. The new set has smiley faces as decorations. As with the heart and lines set, the box comes in 500 sizes with two different lids for each. Part Numbering To choose the...

Because the box with the heart pattern worked out great, I tried something more complex this time. The new set features a random line pattern. All four sides of a box have the same, but each box has its own...