Do you have a project idea but don’t want to wait 6-8 weeks for an order to arrive from eBay? Did you know that Saskatoon TechWorks has a store that is stocked with a variety of common items you might want to use in your project? Browse our inventory here. Now, admittedly, it’s a bit heavy on the Micro/Arduino side. What would YOU like to see stocked in our store? Let me know!
Yes, I did work at Radio Shack back in the early 90s. Why do you ask?
I had a chance to do some “making” on TV this morning.
Are you interested in learning about the availability of Makerspaces (with new technologies for you to use) in Saskatoon? Well…
I’m very excited to invite you to an exciting (free) program the the Main library (Theatre) on March 30th at 6 pm.
At 6 pm in the Meeting Room, there will be several local exhibitors available to demonstrate the new technology and Makerspace available locally. Following that, we will screen a film called “Maker”. The trailer is here:
http://makerthemovie.com/about/
Three speakers will follow:
– Albert La from Sask. Techworks
– Erin Romanyshyn from the new Round Prairie library
– Sheila Maithel from Tailor Magic
Reception, coffee provided. Free admission.
The ESP8266 module is a cheap and relatively easy way to build an Arduino-style project with WiFi capabilities. It’s not without its quirks, though. The following should help you get up to speed quickly.
The ESP is a power hungry device. It requires a solid 3.3V DC power supply. (Probably in the 1A range, depending on what else you are powering from the same supply. It doesn’t draw this much steadily, but it draws bursts while transmitting.) Make sure you have appropriate capacitors mounted as close to the module as possible. Also note, this module is 3.3V and is NOT 5V tolerant. If you apply 5V to any of the pins, you will destroy it. Use something like this http://sktechworks.ca/product/quad-logic-level-converter/ to interface to any 5V devices.
Minimal Setup:
In order to operate, the ESP-12F module requires the following:
| Pin | Resistor | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| VCC | 3.3V DC | |
| GND | GND | |
| GPIO0 | Pull Up | |
| GPIO15 | Pull Down | |
| CH_PD | Pull Up |
The breakout boards we have contain the resistors for GPIO15 and CH_PD. The only connection you need to worry about is GPIO0, which toggles between “Run” and “Bootloader.” (A pullup on Reset is not a bad idea, but not entirely required.)
Minimal for programming:
In order to program the ESP module, you need to pull GPIO0 low and have control of the reset line.
| Pin | Resistor | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| VCC | 3.3V DC | |
| GND | GND | |
| TX | RX on serial adaptor | |
| RX | TX on serial adaptor | |
| Reset | Pull Up | RTS on serial adaptor or pushbutton to GND |
| GPIO0 | Pull Up | DTR on serial adaptor or jumper/button to GND |
| GPIO15 | Pull Down | |
| CH_PD | Pull Up |
If your USB-UART adaptor has RTS and DTR, you can program this module as easily as an Arduino. If you don’t have those pins, don’t sweat it. Simply wire GPIO0 Pulled UP, then jumper it to GND for programming. Do the same with Reset. (Use a pushbutton for easier access.) When you are ready to upload your new program, you will need to press and release the reset button. (or ground and unground a jumper.)
In your Arduino IDE, the current best package for ESPs is:
https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino
The installation instructions are fairly clear on that page.
Thank you to everyone who came out for our Annual General Meeting. This was our largest turnout ever. (People kept arriving after we started, too, so the minutes don’t actually reflect the final number.)
The revisions to the bylaws were passed as proposed. This will bring our bylaws better in line with how we have actually been operating for years.
Our new board was elected. John Tumbach, Albert La, James Cooper, and Scott Walde all stood for re-election. New this year, Andrew Wright was nominated. All five candidates were elected unanimously.
Since we failed to do anything special on the 6 year anniversary of our incorporation, (Some of our members had other plans that night — I don’t understand their priorities.) we decided to recognise it a month late. Cake was eaten.
The 3D Printers at Techworks are working great!
The Makerbot Replicator 2 is relatively low maintenance and does a great job.
And, despite what anyone says, the Solidoodle 3 still works just fine when you use fresh ABS filament. (Don’t use that green stuff that was hanging in the window at the old space.)
(The arms are drooping because I printed him without supports.)
Printing some replacement parts for the enclosure.
John tries to make a round end by hand.
It’s as easy as drawing a circle on an etch-a-sketch!
Rylan has asked me to post these links here. He will be doing two more lathe training sessions later this week. If you have not been trained already, the Thursday session is for you:
https://www.picatic.com/event14858074313497
and, if you already have the basic training, the advanced session on Saturday is for you:
https://www.picatic.com/event14858079182207
These training sessions are provided by Rylan at a cost of $50 per session.
The new laser cutter/engraver is up and running! It has a 40cm x 60cm cut area, and does a beautiful job of rastering.
I have tested it on plywood, hardboard, and Rowmark LaserMax with good results. Suggested settings will be collected on the Wiki as we determine them.
Thank You Andrew (aka Bun-bun) for making and installing the new sign. It looks amazing!
