“LEDs enhance everything.” Words to online by. most whatever that Debra Ansell of [GeekMomProjects] makes is bright, bold, as well as blinky. however if you’re looking for a simple string of WS2812s, you’re barking up the wrong tree. In the last few years, Debra has been making larger as well as more challenging assemblies, as well as that has meant diving into the mechanical style of modular PCBs. In the process Debra has come up with some fantastic methods that you’ll be able to utilize in your own builds, which she showed us in a presentation during the 2021 Hackaday Remoticon.
She starts off with a quick overview of the specify of play in PCB art, particularly of the style that she’s into these days: three dimensional constructions where the physical PCB itself is a sculptural aspect of the project. She’s crossing that with the prominent triangle-style wall hanging sculpture, as well as her own fascination with “inner glow” — side-illuminated acrylic diffusers. then she starts taking us down the path of producing her own wall art in detail, as well as this is where you requirement to listen up.
For instance, getting a PCB made with white soldermask — perhaps since you like its reflective high qualities — is more costly than basic eco-friendly or even black. Debra’s hack? Silkscreen is free. solid white silk over a black mask looks just like a white PCB to us! She breaks down the retail costs of her materials for us, comparing PCB with acrylic. PCBs end up being about 50% more costly per square cm than raw acrylic stock, however unless cutting as well as shaping that acrylic is free, it’s most likely a wash. plus if you have any type of electronics that needs mounting, you may also just go with the PCB.
The heart of this talk, though, is about something that’s not so high-tech, however is make-or-break for any type of job that includes several working parts: connectors. (Check out her handle why looking for the right connector is like on the internet dating!) After working with all the style trade-offs, she comes up with her own.
Spoiler alert: the custom PCBs are linked together with more custom PCBs! The sandwich of acrylic standoffs, pressure connectors, as well as PCB material ticks all the boxes: mechanical stability, budget plan friendliness, as well as great looks.
Debra closes out with an overview of her more recent work. You’ll discover why not to utilize dollhouse hinges as connectors on a wearable bracelet, the pros as well as cons of soldering PCBs together versus utilizing custom connectors, exactly how to make a snake out of boards linked by custom slip rings, as well as even see a brand new design: her Light Tiles 2.0. If you’re not influenced to make something blink, or to make a modular building from several PCBs, we don’t understand what it’ll take!
Debra has likewise published up the talk’s slides if you want to comply with along at home.