Rylan made a time lapse video of today’s Soap Making Workshop!
Author: Scott Walde
How To Publish A Book
This is last Tuesday’s presentation. Jefferson takes us through some of the logistics of going from a manuscript to a finished, printed book.
Store Updates
Have you checked out the TechWorks Store recently? Everything is back in stock and we have added a dozen new items recently.
Upcoming Workshops!
It has been a while, but summer is over, the leaves are falling, and people are starting to think about Christmas presents. How about making your gifts this year? We are hosting a couple workshops to help you out with that:
Soap Making. Learn to make your own soap. Cold process soap takes a bit of time to cure, but if you make it on November 16th it should be ready to use by Christmas.
Laser Cut Decorations (link to come). Learn to use the laser cutter at Saskatoon TechWorks. And, make decorations at the same time! Use them yourself, or give them away.
Saskatoon TechWorks Store!
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?
Saskatoon TechWorks on CTV Morning Live
I had a chance to do some “making” on TV this morning.
Makerspace Program at SPL Main Library
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.
ESP-12F and Breakout Board
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.
AGM Thank You!
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.
3D Print All The Things
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.