Arduino Basics

  Description In this tutorial, I will be evaluating Prextron CHAIN blocks – a new system that allows you to connect your sensors and actuators to an Arduino NANO using clever 3D-printed prototyping boards that can be stacked sideways. This very modular system makes it easy to connect, disconnect and replace project components, and eliminate the “rats nest of wires” common to many advanced Arduino projects. CHAIN BLOCKS are open, which means that you can incorporate any of your sensors or actuators to these prototyping boards, and you can decide which specific pin on Arduino you plan to use. The CHAIN BLOCK connections prevent or reduce common connection mistakes, which make them ideal for class-room projects and learning activities. I am going to set up a project to put these CHAIN BLOCKs to the test: When I place my hand in-front of an Ultrasonic sensor, the Arduino will transmit ...

Have you heard about the EspoTek Labrador ?  A tiny board which can turn your computer into an - Oscilloscope - Waveform generator - Logic analyser - Multimeter - and Power supply. Great for makers or hobbyists with limited bench space or limited funds. Perfect for students and anyone starting out in the field of electronics As you will see in the video below, I take a prototype of the EspoTek Labrador for a spin, and try out all of the functions that this board can provide. I use an Arduino UNO, a couple of 433MHz RF modules, some LEDs and a speaker to see just how useful this board will be for my hobby requirements. I have been wanting an Oscilloscope for quite some time, and while this board does not necessarily win against a benchtop oscilloscope on a side-by-side comparison of specifications, it does make up for it somewhat in terms of price, space (or footprint), usability, and wide range of functionality. But does it actually function as an oscilliscope? Is it useful ? Will ...

    Guest Post Disclaimer This is a guest post by the EasyEDA team. I would like to thank EasyEDA for providing this tutorial for everyone to enjoy. All information within this post was provided by EasyEDA.     Description None of us could deny the fact that we would love with to play with LED’s and lighting stuff. I love to play with LED’s and create attractive lighting effects. This project was a result of such an attempt where I created a stunning RGB light effect using the popular development platform Arduino Nano. Let’s see the circuit, code and instruction on building this project:     Parts Required: An EasyEDA account (free) Arduino Nano (or compatible board) LED strip Dupont wire connectors Custom control board Image source: EasyEDA     Ardui...

  Description This is a fun project that will surely impress anyone you make this for. If you are having a "Disco" themed party, you cannot have a boring old cake. Let me tell you, this is probably the only Arduino project that my wife has ever been willing to be a part of. She did the hard work of putting the cake together, and I, well.... I was in charge of lighting. My biggest fear was that one of the wires would come loose and ruin the event at the most critical moment... While a wire did come loose, I managed to fix it in time before the guests arrived. Ok enough of my monologue, let me show you how to make one of these things.   Parts Required: Arduino UNO (or compatible board) 4 x WS2812-B Programmable Colorful LED Board 330 ohm resistor 4700 uF 16V Electrolytic Capacitor Breadboar...

UPDATE: Magzor has just started a Kickstarter campaign . Please check it out to get a good package deal on many of their components. Many of which were used in this tutorial.   This tutorial will show you how to build your own Stroboscopic Animator using Magzor's Mechanotronic Design Portal as a starting point. Magzor Corporation is a business in California that is trying really hard to simplify robotic design. They want to enable users with little to no engineering experience to design and manufacture a custom robot by themselves in a matter of hours. What is a stroboscope? A stroboscope is an instrument that uses a strobe light to make a moving object look stationary… We will use this feature to create an interesting 4 picture animation on a rotating disk.     Have a look at the video below to see the project in action, and the MDP process walk-thr...