In this video you will learn about using the screen and playing sound on the Robot's speaker.The Arduino team cares about the Robot user experience so have commissioned three different songs that can be used while the Robot is doing other things.

David and Xun upload the “DiscoBot” example to the Arduino Robot and will how to navigate through the different sounds using the keypad.

You can create your own songs using tracker software like Milkytracker or Protracker using a template provided at the Arduino Squawk library, the one that is used to play sound in the Robot.The Robot can play up to four simultaneous voices on the speaker. This means when composing, up to four instruments can play in parallel. Once you have composed your song, just store it on the uSD card. The Robot can call the different sound files with simple commands.

Images can also be used from the SD card. The “Slideshow” example reveals how to load different images and how to navigate through them using the keypad. As an added feature, Xun will explain how to use the compass as a tilt sensor to get the images to change when tilting the Robot to one or the other side.

The Robot's screen supports colour BMP images, with 24 bits of depth, at a 160x128 resolution. David will create a BMP image using the free-software GIMP that will then be stored in the SD card and called from a sketch. 

BUY ARDUINO ROBOT

この記事では、3D CAD初心者の方むけに、DesignSpark Mechanicalの最も基本的な操作方法をご紹介いたします。

• オブジェクトの選択

（左ボタンクリック）
オブジェクトの選択は、マウスの左ボタンを使います。また2D上でスケッチする場合も左ボタンを使用します。

• ビューの操作方法

3D CADでは、ビュー（表示）を自在に変更しながら設計を進めます。これにより、3次元形状を細かく確認しながら作業をすることができます。基本となる動作は３つ、①スピン　②パン③ズームです。

①スピン
（マウスホイールをドラッグ（クリックしたまま移動））

スピン操作では、オブジェクトを画面上で自由に回転させて見る方向を変更することができます。

画面上でマウスホイールをクリックすると、図のように球体状の矢印マークが表示されます。そのままドラッグすると、モデルを回転させることができます。

<ポイント>　このとき、はじめにホイールをクリックする場所によって、回転の支点が変化します。

②パン
+　（Shiftキーを押しながら、マウスホイールをドラッグ）

オブジェクトの位置を上下左右に移動することができます。Shiftキーを押しながら、マウスホイールをドラッグすると、今度は平面状の矢印が表示され、オブジェクトの画面上の位置を変更することができます。

③ズーム
+（Ctrlキーを押しながら、マウスホイールをドラッグ）

オブジェクトを拡大・縮小表示します。この操作で、デザインの詳細な部分だけに注目したり、全体を確認したりすることができます。

Ctrlキーを押したまま、マウスホイールをドラッグすると、上下矢印が表示され、ズーム（拡大・縮小表示）することができます。特定の部品を拡大したいときは、最初にその部品周辺をホイールでクリックし、そのままドラッグすることで、その部品を中心にズームイン/アウトすることができます。（下図参照）

以上、3つの操作で基本的にはどんな視点にも移動することが可能ですが、さらに知っていると便利な操作をいくつかご紹介します。

ホームビュー　
（Hキー）

細部を変更中に全体を確認したくなった際、Hキーを押すと瞬時に全体像を確認することができます。ホームビューは、デザインを作成する際に最も基本となる視点と考えてください。

平面ビュー　
（面を選択＋Vキー）

オブジェクトの特定面と平行になるような視点に移動します。この機能は、ある特定の部分に注目し、面上でスケッチを編集する際によく利用されます。注目したいプレーンをクリックして、Vキーを押してみると、下図のように変化します。

• デザインの作成方法

ここではスケッチモードとプル操作について紹介します。 DesignSpark Mechanicalのデザインプロセスは、基本的に
（１）　2Dでスケッチ
（２）　プル操作で押し出す
の２ステップを繰り返すことになります。

スケッチモード

まずファイルを新規作成します（[ファイル]＞[新規]＞[デザイン]）。

表示されたグリッド上で、さまざまな2D図形を描くことができます。これがスケッチモードです。今回は、シンプルな図形をかいてみます。下図の矩形ボタンを選択してください。

図面上をクリックし始点と終点を設定します。

これで、2Dのグリッド上に図形を作成することができました。

プル操作

まず、下図のようにプルボタンをクリックしてください。

すると、次の図のように表示が変わります。

先ほどの図形をクリックすると黄色い矢印が表示されるので、上方向にドラッグします。

上の図のように平面が押し出されるので好きな高さでドラッグを放すと下図のように3D形状（ソリッド）が作成されます。

これで直方体を作ることができました。先ほどのビュー操作を行ってデザインを見回してみると、きちんと3Dのデータになっていることが確認できると思います。

今回紹介した、「ビューの操作」、「スケッチモード」、「プル操作」を使いこなせば、さまざまな3D形状を作ることができます。ご興味ある方は、「DesignSpark Mechanicalでダイレクトモデリングを作成するための第一段階」というチュートリアルをお試しください。

他にもDesignSpark上では、たくさんのチュートリアルがありますのでご参考にして、思い通りのデザインをつくってみてください!

DesignSparkでは、大学・高専といった教育機関向けに、ＤｅｓｉｇｎＳｐａｒｋＰＣＢ出張セミナーを無料で承っております。
現在、関西地区の学校の応募を受け付け中です。

 【セミナー内容】
■日時： 2013年11月 27日(水)
■最少敢行人数： 15名（応談）
■場所：  貴校にてご用意頂いた教室に伺います
■セミナー内容：
　　　　　　　　基板設計初心者の方を対象とした初級レベルのセミナーです。
　　　　　　　　無料の基板ＣＡＤ「DesignSpark PCB」を用いたオリジナル基板
　　　　　　　　設計について、簡単な回路を用い、受講者も実際にPCで操作
　　　　　　　　しながらWorkshop形式で行います。
　　　　　　　　・基板の設計手順
　　　　　　　　・回路図作成
　　　　　　　　・基板レイアウト作成
　　　　　　　　・基板発注
　　　　　　　　・部品発注
　　　　　　　　・ライブラリ作成方法
　　　　　　　　・機構設計CADとの連携
■受講料：      無料
■ご用意頂くもの：
　　・セミナールーム
　　・プロジェクタ・スクリーン
　　・ラップトップPC （こちらを参照の上、DesignSparkPCBのインストール・アクティベーションを完了しておいてください。）
　　・マウス（必須となります。できればホイールマウスを推奨します）
■申込方法： 下記の必要事項を記入の上、DesignSparkJP(a)gmail.com  に送付ください。（　(a)を@に置き代えてください）
　　　　　　　　　　　　・学校名： 
　　　　　　　　　　　　・学部・学科・研究室名： 
　　　　　　　　　　　　・学校所在地：
　　　　　　　　　　　　・予定参加人数：　

参加人数が集まらない方や学生以外の方は、こちらのセミナーへの参加をご検討ください。

Adrian Bowyer – inventor of the self-replicating 3D printer, RepRap. Described by The Guardian as ‘the invention that will bring down global capitalism, start a second industrial revolution and save the environment’, RepRap pioneered affordable 3D printing.

Here, Adrian talks passionately about the latest RepRap product, Ormerod – a ‘self-correcting’ 3D printer and the amazing prize in our DesignSpark Mechanical Challenge.

Can you tell us a bit about your favourite feature of DesignSpark Mechanical (DSM)? How does it help your design process?

The user interface is extremely intuitive, and I found that I picked it up in no time. This despite the fact that I usually design by writing programs rather than using an interface – I mainly use OpenSCAD, which is entirely driven by a C-like language.But after half an hour with DesignSpark Mechanical, I was almost as fast with it as I am with OpenSCAD, which I have used for years.

Why do you think it’s important for DesignSpark to be making tools like DSM available to all engineers?

Information, as Stewart Brand said, wants to be free. Think Google, who give away their primary product free (just as TV stations have for decades, incidentally).

What exciting projects are you currently working on at RepRapPro?

Our main work at the moment is on our new RepRap design, which is called Ormerod (after the entomologist Eleanor Ormerod – all RepRaps are named after biologists).

But I am also working on printing with electrical conductors (including, we hope, graphene) and designing a heated, ink-jet-style print head for the machine, so we can build with materials like wax.

What can we expect from RepRapPro’s new 3D printer, Ormerod?

The key design brief that we decided on was to make it as easy to assemble as possible. Up to now, it has taken a couple of days to put a RepRap machine together. My colleague Jean-Marc Giacalone designed Ormerod to be assembled in a couple of hours. In addition, it has the ability to correct itself, so that it prints things more accurately than it was put together. We think that's pretty cool...

What impact will this product have on the world of 3D printing?

Like all RepRaps, Ormerod is fully open source. So we expect the ideas it incorporates to spread to other RepRap designs, and beyond. This sounds like us giving ideas to our ‘competitors’, but in fact the reverse is true. When you give ideas away and people use them, human nature means that many of them will give you their ideas back. We do a lot of design at RepRapPro, but we also use lots of designs from the community. And without that community's input, we could not have made any of our successful products.

Finally, why do you think people should get involved in the DesignSpark Mechanical Challenge?

When I took part in the DesignSpark Mechanical launch challenge it was fun. My daughter (who helps run RepRapPro) has a saying: “You're not wasting time if you're enjoying yourself.” The best reason for doing anything is because it is intriguing, absorbing and creative.

Enter the DesignSpark Mechanical Challenge

More DesignSpark Mechanical tips

As part of our Design Challenge we’re putting a weekly spotlight on a standout entry and interviewing the person behind the submission. We hope that through these interviews you get an insight into the design process and an understanding of how these amazing ideas are developed and eventually realised.

This week we’re talking to Didier Groenweghe, designer of the Model Maglev Train. 

What is the inspiration behind your product idea?

As a model train enthusiast, I look at anything to do with real trains. This includes the magnetic levitation train, also known as maglev.

Since I could not find a commercially available model, I decided to create one for myself. This provided an ideal opportunity to learn the wonderful possibilities of DesignSpark Mechanical.

Although originally designed as a model, the ideas can be used on real life maglev trains.

How does your design address the themes of accessibility, mobility and green living?

With my version of the maglev, the aim was to improve the existing designs to make the transportation of the future both economical and sustainable by eliminating the power consuming electro magnets. This is done by positioning the permanent magnets in such a way that a self-balancing system is created.

What engineering applications do you think the product could be used for?

Clearly the answer is transportation in general. This maglev would work not only as a public transport solution, but also for transporting goods.

Which features of the software were the most useful?

The most useful feature was to be able to start from a 2D idea and extrude it.

Also, I used the chamfer function quite a few times. It is great that the program does not allow you to create a chamfer if is not possible (e.g. when the dimensions are invalid).

Were there any aspects of the software that were unexpected or surprising?

Mostly how easy it is to learn to use the program and the overall ease of the user interface. I never expected that kind of usability in a free program.

Also the extensive library makes life even easier and the exported pdfs look really neat.

What tips would you give to others who are starting out with the software?

Just pick a project and start playing around. I learned quite a lot by experimenting. Also, try the simple tutorials first. They give you the program basics in less than an hour. Afterwards I learned by watching the videos on the tutorial page.

How do you hope to develop your product idea?  What are your ambitions for the concept?

The initial idea was to create a model maglev and I certainly intend to build a prototype. Some improvements are on their way and some electronics to drive the train have to be developed as well.

If it all works as expected maybe I will try a production run via crowd funding, if the production and setup cost are within reason. Otherwise, open hardware and self-production is the answer. The files will be posted as the design evolves. Maybe even in parts so everyone can create their own variant.

How do you plan to use DesignSpark Mechanical in the future?

I still have a few ideas up my sleeve.  I always have something that needs a housing or I need to see if things I intend to buy fit together as expected, which will most certainly save me money. Besides that, there is still some work on the maglev project. Switches and turns have to be developed. Also, I need a way to reliably connect the tracks and to make improvements to the cosmetics of the vehicle.

A true model of a real locomotive would also be a challenge. I’m still looking for some plans of an existing locomotive. So, if anyone has some, don’t hesitate to mail them to me!

If you were lucky enough to win the RepRapPro printer, what would you print in 3D?

My model maglev project, of course, maybe even a (small) production run!

Also, I’d print some cool housings for some ideas I have. One of them is an adapter for Lego parts to be able to motorise some stuff or create new parts containing the electronics to make sounds and control servos.

I would also like to test print a functional pneumatic cylinder. If that succeeds, then the printer is pretty accurate!

Why do you think your idea should win the DesignSpark Mechanical Challenge?

It is, as requested, innovative, green and a way of transportation that is also a lot of fun to play with as a model. It gives a nice example of how a simple idea can improve a good concept.

Thanks, Didier! Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks to the DesignSpark Mechanical challenge I finally had a project to help me start learning how to use a very useful tool. Now I know how to use it and have explored a few possibilities, it will be used for quite a few projects. So, even if I don’t win the RepRapPro printer, I have already gained an extra tool to keep me entertained through the log winter evenings.

We are very proud of our new DesignSpark Mechanical Tool! But what's more important is that our users love it too! DesignSpark Member Sean Goddard, A Design Consultant from Test & Design Solutions Ltd has been an RS customer for 40 years, and has sent us some feedback about our tool, that we'd like to share with you all.  Thanks again Sean for the great feedback!

"I finally got round to having a "play" with Designspark Mechanical and I am still of the opinion that this is the easiest to use 3D-CAD software out there!"

"Unlike other software of a similar type, DesignSpark is ridiculously simple to use. It's intuitive and, in my humble opinion, works the way 3D-CAD software should work, if I want to create a cube, I draw a square and drag it to make it thicker how much more simple could it be?"

"My advice is follow the tutorials, and by the time you've finished, you will be creating 3D drawing in next ot no time. Oh, it get's better the ability to use pre-made component footprints in the PCB software and import the 3D models from RS website just makes the job so much easier. Granted you are limited to what RS sells in this respect, but you can easily add your own."

"When you're done, simply print or email the BOM and you can order directly from the software, no missed parts, everything will be there, right down to the last washer! The ability to produce wiring schedules and you have the perfect and definitive piece of software for Test Equipment design."

"Lets look at how Designspark stacks up;

• Mentor (1 seat) = ££££££££
• Mentor Capital (Harness design) = £££££
• Autocad = £££

Not much change out of £50k!!'  DesignSpark (PCB & Mechanical) = FREE!

Support is about the same for both except that for the paid versions, you keep paying, with Mentor, no pay, no support..Tough! Autodesk will help, but again, you get referred to the paid for support program. Designspark support? FREE (for life). Now I'm no genius, but even I can see which package is the winner here."

"WELL DONE GUYS & GALS and most of all...THANK YOU."

"After 40 years of dealing with RS, you still manage to impress me everytime I contact you!"

Best Regards

Sean Goddard
(Test & Design Solutions Ltd)

今週のデザイナー：Conny Broberg

「DesignSpark Mechanical Challenge」の一環として、エントリーされた中でも優れている作品に毎週注目し、設計者にインタビューするという取り組みを行っています。このインタビューを通して、優れたアイデアがいかに生み出されどのように実現されていくかを理解して頂ければと思います。

今週は、募集開始後すぐにエントリーをしてきた、E-Boardの作者であるConny Broberg氏にインタビューを行いました。

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

プロジェクトの背後には、どのようなインスピレーションがあるのでしょうか？

私は以前、二人の学生と共にBLDCモーターのためのモーター制御を行っており、これを長いボードにも応用したいと考えていました。そこで、基本的な部品を使ってどんなことができるかを考え始めました。

また、3Dプリンターで印刷した試作部品を使い、全ての機能をテストしてから製造用の設計を行いたいと考えていました。

あなたの作品は、「ユニバーサルデザイン、ユビキタス、エコ」という今回のテーマに、どのように関連するのでしょうか？

軽くてエネルギー効率がよいE-Boardは、市街地における新しい移動手段です。

車やバスなどで短い距離を移動する代わりに、E-Boardを利用することを想定しています。最大速度は、自転車の速度に匹敵する時速30ｋｍとなっています。 

この作品は、工学的な観点から見てどのように応用できると思いますか？

この設計には、BLDCやサーボ、ステップモーターのホルダーなどが、応用可能な技術として使われています。

設計プロセスにおいて、DesignSpark Mechanicalはどこで一番役に立ちましたか？

DesingSpark Mechanicalの最も役立つ点は習得し易い点だと思います。描画とドラッグ機能を使うだけで設計が行えるので、非常に操作方法が学びやすいです。

DesingSpark Mechanicalの機能の中で、予期していなかった・驚いた点は何かありますか？

何といっても操作方法の簡単さだと思います。初めてDSMechを起動してから数分で、設計を始めることができます。

DSMechをこれから使い始めるユーザーに向けてどのtipsをおすすめしますか？

DSMechを使い始めるにあたって役立つチュートリアルが、DesignSparkのウェブサイト上には豊富に存在しています。それらを見て実際に手を動かすだけで、モデルの設計を楽しみながら行うことができます！

今後どのように今回のアイデアを発展させていきたいと考えていますか？

市販用の完全なE-Boardを設計したいです。これが私の夢です。

DesignSpark Mechanicalを今後どのように使いたいと考えていますか？

静電ボックスや単純な部品を設計するのに使用する予定です。

もしRepRapProプリンターを獲得したら、何を3Dで印刷したいですか？

実は本気で賞品の3Dプリンターを狙ってます。もし手に入れたら、E-Boardのモーターホルダーや、静電デバイスの試作品用の静電ボックスを印刷したいです。

最後に、DesignSpark Mechanical Challengeにおいて、あなたの作品の優れていると思う点を教えてください。

私の作品は3Dで印刷可能であり、オープンソースかつ環境に優しいものとなっています。また、この製品によって、人々が技術的な設計により興味を持ち、彼ら自身の作品を開発し始めるきっかけになると考えています。

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

来週ご紹介するデザイナーも楽しみにしていてください。また、Facebook・Twitter・Google + ・LinkedInでもDesignSpark Chalengeに関する最新のニュースを紹介しています。

その他のDesignSpark Mechanicalのtipsに関しては、ピコテクノロジーズのPete Wootton 氏へのインタビュー記事も合わせてご覧ください。

As part of our Design Challenge we’re putting a weekly spotlight on a standout entry and interviewing the person behind the submission. We hope that through these interviews you get an insight into the design process and an understanding of how these amazing ideas are developed and eventually realised.

This week we’re talking to James Ireland, designer of the Solar Dome.

What is the inspiration behind your product idea?

I saw a programme that profiled the use of old drinks bottles as an alternative to light bulbs. Filled with water and set into corrugated iron roofs, these bottles were the equivalent of a sixty-watt bulb.

I was interested in the idea of using technology to utilise natural resources. The Solar Dome design integrates a solar-powered night light with a daytime skylight, giving a simple and efficient way of providing lighting.

The product is durable – it has a battery mounted behind the solar panel that is watertight. And the tube that goes into the bottle has LED lights in, which are some of the most energy-efficient available.

How does your design address the themes of accessibility, mobility and green living?

I feel that my design addresses accessibility because of its potential for use in developing countries and disaster relief. It addresses mobility from the perspective of allowing many people to use their homes in different ways, just by having better lighting. Take, for example, Typhoon Haiyan -- the current situation in the Philippines would be aided by this design with so many people thrown into darkness with no electricity after sundown. Using solar power and LED lights is as green as it gets when it comes to green living.

How did you find using DesignSpark Mechanical (DSM)?

Being familiar with 3D software, I was able to pick up DesignSpark Mechanical pretty easily. The software is really intuitive and has a small learning curve. You just need to get stuck in and have a go. In my opinion, it’s the best free software out there.

Which features of the software were the most useful?

For me the ‘Pull’ feature is great. Once you get the hang of it, you can extend components easily and quickly scope the model. As you move around the design, you can see it revolving.

It’s also helpful being able to turn 2D designs in sketch mode straight into 3D models. Coupled with access to the RS Components models online and the RS catalogue, the software really allows you to work efficiently.

I think DSM should be opened up to younger age groups who are novice to design, as it will allow them to do the whole process in one piece of software.

If you were lucky enough to win the RepRapPro printer, what would you print in 3D?

I would use the printer to prototype some of my designs that need testing physically. As an engineer, it’s always preferable to test a design with the tangible, physical product in your hand.

Why do you think your idea should win the DesignSpark Mechanical Challenge?

I’ve kept my design pretty simple, following on from some of the themes set by the original designs in the 48-hour DSM challenge held in Manchester in September. The Solar Dome could be developed into a product that has broad applications and a lot of potential.  

Previous Designers of the Weeks

Designer of the Week: Conny Broberg

Designer of the Week: Didier Groenweghe

Hello everyone.

If we say capacitors, you might remind the name of "Aluminum lytic", "Ceramic" and/or "Film" capacitors, but have you ever heard about "Polymer capacitors" ? Polymer capacitors were developped by Panasonic already in late 1980's and their very low ESR and high reliability by making use of the material (conductive polymer) characteristics are the remarkable features.

  * What is Polymer capacitors ? >>>

 Panasonic would like to offer full supports for your circuit designs as a pioneer and the reliable global No.1 supplier with wide variety of products (size and characteristics).

 * Panasonic's wide & full range of Polymer capacitors >>>

Historically after 1990's, Panasonic polymer capacitors rapidly expanded the usage mainly in NBPC's CPU power lines which required higher clock frequency and load current to reduce the parts count (total cost reduction), to minimize the space(incl. lower height) and to ensure the higher reliability. In these days, Polymer capacitors usage is expanding more to game machines, servers, basestations, routers/switches, embedded boards and/or automotive applications which also need high current consumption.

 * Design-in examples of Panasonic Polymer capacitors >>>

Recently, in addition to the continued efforts to keep reducing the ESR, Panasonic enlarges higher voltage products alsowhich started to be used in input power lines (ex. 12, 24, 48V power lines) to reduce ripple noise dramatically.

 * Panasonic's product range of high voltage Polymer capacitors >>>

We, Panasonic hope you to evaluate our Polymer capacitors once.

 * Panasonic Polymer capacitors Purchasing Site >>>

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<Contact window>
Please feel free to contact below link if you have any questions and/or requests.
https://industrial.panasonic.com/KM/KMServlet?KBLNG=E

Dear Readers,

We believe in helping engineers to be more productive so they can achieve their highest potential. This is why we provide DesignSpark software tools. I told one of our users a story of how DSPCB is being used by various companies and he was so inspired by it, he asked me to share it with others.

I would like to summarise my experience of communicating with thousands of existing users - by support email, forums but also in person during various trade shows and events. This lecture will hopefully help you decide whether DSPCB is the right package for you. I am presenting a brief descriptions from three perspectives: Company (ok - this one is a bit longer), Hobbyist, Educator - please scroll down to the part most relevant to you

Company

Many companies are skeptical about DesignSpark PCB before trying it. Free PCB software is often thought of as severely limited in functionality or a teaser that requires a licence for unlocking more advanced features. This is where we are different! It turns out that once a company gives it a go, DesignSpark PCB finds its place as an integral part of their development infrastructure. Recently I talked to a Development Manager whose company had been using a higher-end tool for many years. One of his engineers made him aware of DSPCB over 2 years back but he was not interested back then. Couple of months ago the same engineer showed him some of his hobby projects he has been working on using DesignSpark PCB. This demo had resulted in a longer discussion on what DSPCB is capable of and their team decided to give it a go. They quickly realised that this free and powerful package can do all they need!! Apparently now they are laughing they have not been using something like 90% of the advanced functionality they have been paying for. They were able to reduce licences from 5 seats to just one - only to be able to maintain the past projects. This is a huge cost saving. Additionally Engineers can now design faster and if they have a new member of the Team joining, it does not take long to train them up in comparison with what it would take with the high-end tool they have been using previously.

Large company

On the other extreme a growing number of large and blue chip companies using DesignSpark PCB as their prototyping tool of choice. In case of a larger company the pattern is usually the same: they roll out DSPCB on every machine in a development department which is easy as no approved budget is required. Design Engineers are then able to knock up quick prototypes freeing up the time of layout engineers, who can now focus on full scale layouts. This saves them from being interrupted by constant requests for laying out prototype circuits, and gives designers an opportunity to do small layouts exactly the way they need. What really helps here is that DesignSpark PCB is very easy to learn and use and is optimised for Rapid Prototyping, especially introducing new parts into designs. A design tool in hands of every Engineer in a Team naturally encourages ideas and leads to more innovation!

Figure 1. Changes in Development Lifecycle flow when DesigSpark PCB added

Having DSPCB schematics and layout for a tested prototype brings another massive time saving: it helps to reduce the amount of communication between designers and layouters, after all - picture speaks more than words.

In summary: in commercial setup, regardless of the size of your organisation, DesignSpark PCB is perfectly capable to help you save time, simplify your prototyping activities, all the way through to being used as a main EDA software.

Hobbyist

DesignSpark PCB is very popular among engineers who, apart of their day jobs, like to pursue electronic designs in their free time. In fact many companies learn the benefits of DSPCB thanks to their employees' private interest in PCB design. We are big supporters of Open Hardware which is very popular among our community. Many of hobbyists are actively taking part in discussions on our forums where they exchange ideas and discuss experiences with using our software. They are often keen helping the less experienced users like students or amateur electronic designers. For those who believe electronics is one of the coolest hobbies out there - DesignSpark PCB is your hobby tool of choice ;-)

Educator

DSPCB quickly becomes a leading PCB design software used for teaching electronics. Perhaps the biggest advantage of our free and unrestricted software in education sector is that students can work on their own computers at home. This means they no longer are restricted by the availability of computers in a lab or restricted by the lab opening times. In fact, Professors told us that students spend a lot more time doing hands on design when switched to DSPCB. Other big advantage is full import of Eagle files - which is still used by many schools in its severely limited free version. Hundreds of universities and technical schools have incorporated DesignSpark PCB in their teaching programmes. We have recognised this growing demand and have developed a special educational site license that enables simplified activation on multiple seats. As you probably expect - this license is free, just contact us via email. In addition we offer free teaching materials that can be used by Professors to help building their course content (To download the Teaching Material Pack click here). Many of them now believe that DesignSpark PCB is the best tool for educating the engineers of tomorrow!

Best regards,

Mike

Using a Raspberry Pi to build an Internet radio that only receives BBC Radio 4.

Tuning controls and station presets? Why on earth would anyone want such things! As far as I'm concerned the only thing worth listening to on the wireless is Radio 4.

With the above in mind, I decided to build myself an Internet radio that is fixed on Radio 4 and which dispenses with unnecessary clutter, with the only control being for power and volume.

Construction

At a flea market earlier this year I picked up a 1950s extension speaker made by Richard Allan. Comprising of simply a cabinet, loudspeaker, step attenuator and input socket, and with plenty of spare room inside, this was ideal for converting into a Raspberry Pi-powered Internet radio.

The cabinet can be seen above with the old step attenuator removed, and alongside this a combination switch/potentiometer ready for fitting in its place. Of course, the audio level output from a Raspberry Pi will not drive a loudspeaker directly and so an amplifier was also required.

The amplifier that was used is based around the TDA2030 IC and a PCB supplied by RS Components. For further details including a bill of materials, see the DesignShare project.

In order to provide a power source for the Raspberry Pi, a DC-DC converter with 5v output was connected to the 0 and +ve rails of the amplifier power supply.

Unfortunately, the Raspberry Pi wouldn't quite fit into the base of the cabinet and so the audio and composite video output sockets were removed.

Since there was only one loudspeaker and a single mono amplifier, the left and right channels were summed to mono using resistors.

A power indicator lamp, the transformer, power supply board, Raspberry Pi and amplifier were then all fitted into the cabinet, and the DC power and audio connections soldered.

Finally, the mains lead was connected up to the power switch.

The rear cover can be seen below, fitted with a fuse holder, mains lead and strain relief, and an RJ45 socket to allow use with a wired Internet connection (the Pi also has a USB WiFi adapter fitted).

Software

The software configuration couldn't be simpler: on booting an init script starts Mplayer and specifies the URL for the BBC Radio 4 stream. That's it! The Mplayer command line being:

mplayer -playlist “http://bbc.co.uk/radio/listen/live/r4.asx“

Result

The above video shows the radio in operation. Note that it takes >40 seconds for the Pi to boot and during which time it makes strange noises that are not unlike those of a 1980s microcomputer loading software from tape!

The strange sounds may be due to the way that I have taken an audio output from the Raspberry Pi — replacing the jack socket with resistors and directly soldering a cable to the PCB. In any case, I quite like the effect and it provides an indication that something is happening while the Pi boots.

— Andrew Back

3D printing is fast becoming an essential part of the design process for both electronics and mechanics, with the ability to create quick turn-around prototypes saving months in the design cycle.  Thanks to the RepRap Project, 3D printing is now low-cost and can be used for small production runs. 

^{RepRapPro Ormerod Complete 3D Printing Kit}

The RepRapPro Ormerod is one of the most versatile 3D printers available. Its primary design goal is to offer a printer which is easy to expand in functionality, fast to replicate, and fast to assemble and commission. This new model builds on the already established RepRapPro product portfolio which has undergone brisk development and heavy testing since inception in 2004.

The Ormerod uses a process known a fused filament fabrication, which it employs to build 3-dimensional objects in a range of plastics and in a variety of colours.  This process enables the user to create almost any shape which can be modelled on a computer, including some which could not be produced by traditional manufacturing techniques at all.

The RepRapPro Ormerod is a monochrome 3D printer configured to work with one type of plastic at a time.  However, the RepRapPro Ormerod head is fundamentally designed to work with three deposition heads and an upgrade kit will be available soon for this machine.

The RepRapPro Ormerod is shipped as kit of parts containing all the components required to get you printing.  Full assembly is required.

Specifications:

• Full open-source self-replicating RepRap
• New 32-bit Arduino-compatible Duet electronics enable control via a web-browser
• Wiring loom for simple plug-in connection – no soldering
• IR probing for self-aligned printing – no bed adjustment required
• Build volume: 210x190x140mm
• Overall size: 500x460x410mm
• Printing materials: ABS, PLA, 1.75mm diameter thermoplastic.
• Build surface: PCB-heated bed to reduce complexity of assembly and to ensure parts do not warp.
• Computer interface: USB
• X-carriage: Three Z-adjustable deposition head mounts; one head supplied.
• Standard nozzle size: 0.5mm
• Accuracy: 0.1mm*
• Resolution: 0.0125mm*
• Building speed: 1,800 mm/min
• Moving speed: 12,000 mm/min
• Deposition rate: 33 cm3 / hr
• Motion: Linear ball bearings on X and Y axes, Igus low friction bushings on Z axis.
• Pre-soldered electronics with built-in microSD card slot for standalone printing.
• Enhancements to the printed parts to improve the ease of assembly of the X and Y axes

 *The resolution is how fine a step the motors can make. The accuracy is how accurately the machine can position things. So the resolution is finer than the accuracy because the accuracy is influenced by other factors, for example how well the timing belt is manufactured.

Contents include:

All printed parts

• All hardware (threaded and smooth rods, screws, nuts, washers, belts, bearings etc)
• Pre-soldered and programmed electronics
• MicroSD card + adapter
• Heated PCB build surface (requires eight soldered joints)
• Motors
• Nozzle assembly and extruder drive mechanism
• 100m of 1.75mm diameter PLA filament (approx 300g) for printing with
• Power supply (EU, UK, US & AUS)
• Software to run the machine is also provided with both, including the firmware for the electronics
• 1x reel of filament

The above contents are subject to improvement without notice.  Complete kits will always be provided with all components required to get you printing.  

Latest Documentation/build notes can be found here

BUY NOW

Read the RepRap Blog about the new Ormerod 3D Printer

Find out more about 3D Design in our 3D Design Centre

Adrian Bowyer from RepRapPro took part in our DesignSpark Mechanical challenge. With only 48 hours to create an idea, design and 3D print an life changing concept this was not an easy challenge. Along with other industry leading experts #TeamKao decided upon LockShox, a smart lock revolutionising bike security. Watch the exclusive interview with Adrian from the challenge.