Managing Openscad Projects
How to structure OpenSCAD projects for reuse and scalability, using OPENSCADPATH, Makefiles, and modular design to manage complexity.
Tag: Hardware
Product Announcement: QL03 Photoreceiver
Announcing the QL03 Photoreceiver from Hobbs ElectroOptics — a shot-noise-limited, 150 mm² transimpedance amplifier for low-light and spectroscopy applications.
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Photoreceiver Testing
How ElectroOptical Innovations approaches photoreceiver testing and characterization, with a walkthrough of the AN-1 testing methodology.
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KiCad Custom DRC Rules
How to write a custom KiCad DRC rule to enforce JLCPCB’s minimum trace spacing requirement for boards with low copper coverage.
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Rectangle Packaging Problem / Efficient 2D Packing
Solving the 2D rectangle packing problem in Python using the rectpack library, with OpenSCAD for visualizing layouts and generating CNC tool paths.
MCU Driver Development that Doesn't Suck
Hard-won lessons for writing reliable MCU device drivers — the setup process, debugging methodology, and habits that prevent time-wasting bring-up mistakes.
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Setting Up Multiple FTDI Devices
How to reliably identify multiple identical FTDI USB-to-serial adapters in a test jig using udev rules and device serial numbers.
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Scripting FreeCAD from an AppImage
How to use FreeCAD’s Python scripting interface from an AppImage installation, including setting up the environment to call FreeCAD functions from outside the GUI.
KiCad Board Outlines
Improved mechanical workflow
KiCad 7 Build Environment
Writing a KiCad Makefile
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Semantic Versioning for Hardware
Applying semantic versioning principles to hardware design to communicate revision scope, signal compatibility changes, and manage manufacturing releases.
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Reusing PCB Design Elements
How to accelerate new hardware revisions by treating PCB designs as modular, reusing layout sections, schematics, and form factors across product generations.
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Building an Automated Test Jig: Hardware
Part 2 of a series on automated test jig design, covering fixtures, probe hardware, and sourcing off-the-shelf components for electronics testing.
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Building an Automated Test Jig: Requirements & References
Requirements, design goals, and resource guide for building standardized automated electronics test jigs for low-to-medium production volumes.
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kicad-parts-placer
kicad-parts-placer automates exact batch placement of components in KiCad layouts using centroid files — ideal for test fixture pogo pins and mounting holes.
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Sigrok + $10 Logic Analyzer
Getting useful I2C and SPI debug capability from a $10 FX2 logic analyzer using Sigrok — a portable option when away from the lab.
KiCad PCBNew Scripting: Basic scripting beyond the built in terminal
How to use the KiCad PCBNew scripting API outside the built-in terminal, loading boards with LoadBoard and enabling proper unit tests for PCB plugins.
KiCad PCBNew Scripting: Removing Ref Des From Silk Screen
When to move reference designators off the silkscreen onto the fabrication layer in tight KiCad designs, with a Python script to automate the cleanup.
Blogs & News Sites
A curated list of technical blogs, news sites, and RSS feeds covering analog design, embedded systems, optics, PCB, and software engineering.
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Article: Device Control
Overview of device control approaches for embedded systems, covering Python-based hardware interfaces and design patterns.
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Article: Building a Functional Teststand
A functional teststand design overview — how to structure automated electronics testing for embedded systems.