@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Even without access to a lab in 2020, I managed to design, make, crowdsource and
I like to learn a lot of things about a lot of things. I like to make things with my hands. FabAcademy allows me to do all of that.
I have a background in architecture and spend most of my time in the peripheries of design to make meaningful value-added interventions to create better futures. I am currently exploring the extents of local production using digital fabrication and circular models.
I studied the [Master in Design for Emergent Futures](https://mdef.iaac.net/) programme at the [Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia](https://iaac.net/) and [Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering](https://www.elisava.net/en) in collaboration with FabAcademy in 2020.
I studied the [Master in Design for Emergent Futures](https://iaac.net/educational-programmes/masters-programmes/master-in-design-for-emergent-futures-mdef/) programme at the [Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia](https://iaac.net/) and [Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering](https://www.elisava.net/en) in collaboration with FabAcademy in 2020.
As a part of the course my core interest was in enquiring [why we make what we make](https://mitaleeparikh.gitlab.io/mitalee.parikh/).
How can we make things that make sense?
How can we change the things we make by changing the way we make things?
This week is about learning to fabricate a PCB, not necessarily design it.
### Page Summary
1. Summary
2. PCB fabrication
3. Assembling the board
4. Testing and programming
5. Important and interesting links
---
1. Summary
---
There a some different options of in-system programmers in the [FabAcademy notes](http://academy.cba.mit.edu/classes/embedded_programming/index.html#programmers). In the AVR family, there are boards based on the the ATtiny45, ATtiny44 and ATmega16U2.
I review all options, and decide to make the ISP based on [Brian's design](http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.16/doc/projects/ftsmin/index.html#check) because it seemed simple and straight-forward, and a good one to start with because it has ample documentation. It is called the FabTinyISP.
I used the facilities in FabLab UAE to fabricate the ISP with a Roland SRM-20 milling machine.
I use a double sided FR1 board to mill the ISP, because the lab is out of stock of single-sided ones that are not locally available.
### This week's assignments
- Group assignment: characterize the design rules for your PCB production process
- Individual assignment: make an in-circuit programmer that includes a microcontroller
by milling and stuffing the PCB, test it,
then optionally try other PCB processes
An in-system programmer is basically a...
### Objectives
[x] To produce a PCB using one or more manufacturing processes
[x] To solder components and test the board
[x] To program the PCB to become a programmer
### Introduction
This week is about learning to fabricate a PCB, not necessarily design it. There a some different options of in-system programmers in the [FabAcademy notes](http://academy.cba.mit.edu/classes/embedded_programming/index.html#programmers). In the AVR family, there are boards based on the the ATtiny45, ATtiny44 and ATmega16U2.
I review all options, and decide to make the ISP based on [Brian's design](http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.16/doc/projects/ftsmin/index.html#check) because it seemed simple and straight-forward. It is called the FabTinyISP.
I used the facilities in FabLab UAE to fabricate the ISP. I used the Roland SRM-20.
I use a double sided FR1 board to mill the ISP, because the lab is out of stock of single-sided ones that are not locally available.
An in-system programmer is basically a...
### PCB fabrication Workflow
2. PCB fabrication Workflow
---
The PCB workflow basically consists of making png traces/outlines from a design file, or using existing ones > creating toolpaths > prepping a milling machine > loading a copper sheet and endmill > setting origin on machine > milling and then cleaning to solder components before stuffing and testing the board.
#### Create toolpaths
First step is to download the design files for the traces and the outline of FabTinyISP from [Brian's documentation page](http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/863.16/doc/projects/ftsmin/index.html#check).
The traces are the thin pipelines that connect the footprints of components.
Here are the toolpaths for [traces](./images/ep/mitalee-fts_mini_cut.rml) and [outline](./images/ep/mitalee-fts_mini_traces.rml).
Here are the toolpath files for [traces](./images/ep/mitalee-fts_mini_cut.rml) and [outline](./images/ep/mitalee-fts_mini_traces.rml).
##### Milling the board
After saving the toolpaths, next step is to prep the machine for milling.
On the left bottom corner, fix the FR1 board with a double-sided adhesive tape.
SRM-20 can be controlled with a V-panel.
Using the XY and Z settings in the centre of the panel, move the Z to maximum to make space for fixing an endmill manually. Loosen the collet with a hex-key, insert the 1/64in endmill and tighten it snugly.
...
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@@ -113,8 +119,11 @@ This is how the cut result looks at the end of both jobs.
I used a slotted screwdriver to remove the ISP from the machine bed.
Next, I removed the copper layer near the usb side of the board with a cutting knife and cleaned up small bits and pieces of copper.
Next, I removed the copper layer near the usb side of the board with a cutting knife and cleaned up small bits and pieces of copper.
3. Assembling the board
---
##### Soldering Components
I make a list of components according to the Brian's documentation, and gather all components from the FabLab stocking shelves.
...
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@@ -132,10 +141,12 @@ I start soldering from left to right top to bottom - starting from the microcont
This is how the board looks like:
4. Testing and programming
---
##### Checking the board
First I inspected the board visually to check if all the traces were clear from solder bits and all the connections were clean. I also checked if all components were soldered on the correct footprints and in the correct orientation.
Next, I use a multimeter to check thr resistance across resistors and voltage across Vcc and GND. Everything seems alright.
Next, I use a multimeter to check the resistance across resistors and voltage across VCC and GND. Everything seems alright.
Next, I make assemble a ribbon cable, 6 thin cables connected side by side with female headers at both ends. Trick is to keep booth ends in the same orientation to correct and quickly attach the headers. After presseing them lightly, I used a mallet to fix them properly.
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@@ -150,7 +161,7 @@ Installed [homebrew](https://brew.sh/) package manager. In a terminal window pas
<imgsrc="./images/ep/homebrew.jpg">
It asked for sudo acess, I typed in my computer password.
It asked for sudo access, I typed in my computer password.
It started installing
...
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@@ -214,9 +225,9 @@ change directory to where the file needs to be saved and run
A file called *fts_firmware.hex* will be created
Steps to activate the programmer:
#### Steps to activate the programmer:
1.Plug in a programmer using a compatible USB adaptor port and the ribbon cable like so
Plug in a programmer using a compatible USB adaptor port and the ribbon cable like so
Making sure, the ribbon cable is in the correct orientation
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@@ -235,7 +246,7 @@ Run <code>make rstdisbl</code> to disable reset, It will blow the rest fuse. Aft
Now the FabISP is a programmer.
Steps to burn bootloader:
#### Steps to burn bootloader:
Before using the programmer, the board needs to be prepared using Arduino IDE.
1. Update Arduino IDE to the latest version [from the website](https://www.arduino.cc/en/software).
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@@ -266,3 +277,9 @@ Before using the programmer, the board needs to be prepared using Arduino IDE.
10. Tools > Burn bootloader
Now the board is ready to use as a programmer.
4. Important and interesting links
---
Electronics Production class [notes](http://academy.cba.mit.edu/classes/electronics_production/index.html) + [video](https://vimeo.com/513517157)
I'm [Mitalee Parikh](./About Me.md). And this site is a documentation of my work done in 2020+21 as a part of the [FabAcademy](https://fabacademy.org/) programme.
You can find all my weekly assignments on the navbar, and my final project [here](./Final Project.md).
You can find all my weekly assignments on the navbar, and my final project presentation [slide](./presentation.png) and [video](./presentation.mp4) here.
####Go-to links:
[FabLab BCN local documentation and guides](https://fablabbcn-projects.gitlab.io/learning/fabacademy-local-docs/guides/code/gitsetup/)
