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[WORK JOB] - Pulsed Current Interrupter
10/05/2023 at 23:12 • 0 commentsContaining a sizable capacitor bank, this PCB both initiates and interrupts the main capacitor discharge via the use of modern pulsed IGBTS that are paralleled and pushed to their limits. The primary limitation is electrical clearance and the use of surface mount packages, which are limited in their maximum current ratings (even when pulsed). The act of interrupting capacitor bank discharges like this is difficult, but allows efficiency gains from retained energy.
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[WORK JOB] - Pulsed Current Discharger
10/05/2023 at 23:11 • 0 commentsContaining a sizable capacitor bank, this PCB initiates the main capacitor discharge via the use of a trigger mechanism with current limiting techniques. The primary limitation is electrical clearance and the requirement to use surface mount packages, which are limited in their maximum pulsed capability when compared with their though-hole counterparts.
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[WORK JOB] - 50W DC-DC Step-Up Cap Charger
10/05/2023 at 23:10 • 0 commentsTaking a 28Vin nominal input, this DC-DC step-up converter charges the main capacitor bank and provides feedback on its performance using instrumentation amplifiers. Importantly, all charging, measurement and auxiliary operations are galvanically isolated from input to output. This was simplified by the fact that voltage regulation is not required, but instead only a confirmation that a target threshold has been reached.
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[WORK JOB] - PCIe Interface Module
10/05/2023 at 23:09 • 0 commentsConnecting to the host interface via the PCIe slot, this card allows our PCB stack to integrate with the target platform for evaluation. The card provides voltage/current measurement, isolated 50W bus power, remote programming header, isolated communications, transceiver, interface verification logic, linear voltage regulation and the main interface harness to the PCB Stack.
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[WORK JOB] - Isolated Adaptor Board
10/05/2023 at 22:59 • 0 commentsThe purpose of this board is to provide both isolated power and 422 communications. For power, an isolated 30W Dark brick is used. For communications, a special isolated comms IC was found. This IC is also capable of providing a small isolated power supply for itself, which is used to power its "output" side. A linear regulator was used to power the comms IC from the DC-DC output. Finally, buffers were used to provide the comms IC outputs with higher current outputs.
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[WORK JOB] - Ethernet Breakout PCB
10/09/2022 at 00:30 • 0 commentsEthernet breakout board for an esoteric piece of equipment with a very frustrating physical interface. Literally provides access to every single connection in the cable to simplify the hardware portion of the troubleshooting. Not very interesting schematic-wise and a very tedious layout process with regards to the controlled differential impedance on the Ethernet lines.
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[WORK JOB] - Deployable Lab Power Supplies (Stock Image)
08/18/2022 at 13:44 • 0 commentsContained within a 9U deployable rack, these two commercial power supplies (1 rail at 1200W/50A/60V/1600VA and 4 rails shared at 420W/24A/70V/650VA) can be taken practically anywhere. In order to protect from voltage surges, these 'universal input' supplies are operated at 120V instead of 240V (via a rack mounted 2400VA 2:1 transformer), which massively increases input voltage headroom. This, combined with the inrush limiting resistor (with relay bypass) and over voltage suppression/disconnection, ensure that the deployable supplies are effectively bullet-proof and also free of start-up transients. Doing it this way also has the added benefit of a 120V output via NEMA 5-20R receptacles. Input to the box is 240V +10%/-15% at 50Hz.
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[WORK JOB] - Basic Relay Box
05/02/2022 at 04:23 • 0 commentsAs basic and as fun as it comes, this box contains 3 relays that simply pass through power on three different voltage rails. Isolation is about 250V and the current rating is 10-15A depending on factors. Power by USB 5V and TTL signaled from a BNC, it's just a Denkovi PCB broken out to panel mount connectors. Looks pretty though (on the outside).
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[WORK JOB] - Much Too Complex Constant Current Source
05/02/2022 at 04:16 • 0 commentsA miniaturised version of the complex current source, this PCB drives 0-500mA @0-6V with an optional high-speed digital modulation capability. There are a few fixes and a seriously modified approach to the control system, but it's basically just smaller and better (not that that was easy to achieve).
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[WORK JOB] - Simple 60W Brick Power Supply Module
02/14/2022 at 06:07 • 0 commentsBased on one of the standard Meanwell 1-Inch by 2-Inch 60W isolated power bricks, this PCB takes an 18-75V input and converts it into +/-12V voltage rails at 30W each. For this board there is no real care for the specifications of the brick itself, but what does matter is that it's simple and can be switched out easily to accommodate other voltage output levels. The filters are a combination of datasheet recommendations and other common parts.
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[WORK JOB] - 3-Channel Laser Driver Hub
11/26/2021 at 22:12 • 0 commentsRunning off of 48V, this central hub for all your laser action contains 3x laser drivers, 5x TEC temperature controllers and 4x power supply DC-DC bricks with linearly regulated output stages added. Adjustable trim-pots and jumpers galore, it was designed with flexibility in mind and the two galvanically isolated regions of the board can also interact somewhat through an opto-coupler. Finally, one laser driver and one temperature controller can both each be modulated by external voltage signals that are mixed in with variable weighting. All of heat-dissipating components are placed on the bottom layer and mounted to a custom aluminium block (~80W worst case).
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[WORK JOB] - 15W Isolated DC-DC Converter
09/18/2021 at 00:29 • 0 commentsBased on the 5kV/20pF isolated TDK-Lamba PXG-M15 15W DC-DC module series, this board takes an input of 40-60V and converts it to a 15W, 5V/12V/15V regulated output. The voltage depends on 3 of the components loaded to the PCB (i.e. pre-selected). The outputs are regulated by 5 parallel LT3045 ultra-low noise linear regulators. These can be connected in either series or parallel.
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[WORK JOB] - Multi-Voltage Isolated DC-DC Converters
09/02/2021 at 07:27 • 0 commentsBased on the 5kV/20pF isolated TDK-Lamba PXG-M15 15W DC-DC modules series, this board takes an input of 40-60V and converts it to various isolated voltage sources. Select outputs feature the LT3045 & LT3094 ultra-low noise linear regulators.
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[WORK JOB] - Complex Constant Current Source
09/02/2021 at 07:27 • 0 commentsEnhanced version of the basic current source, this PCB drives 0-500mA @0-6V with an optional high-speed digital modulation capability. Importantly, there is a monitoring capability provided with matched impedance. This thing still gets toasty!
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[WORK JOB] - Basic Constant Current Source
09/02/2021 at 07:26 • 0 commentsThis PCB takes an analogue input voltage of 0-1V and drives an output current of 0-250mA through a load at 0-6V. Powered by a DC-DC brick, it uses an extra-ordinary current-feedback op amp for improved bandwidth. Heat is dissipated via the BNC!
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[WORK JOB] - Super Capacitor Bank Evaluation PCBs
09/02/2021 at 07:25 • 0 commentsContaining 12x 300F 2.85V supercapacitors each, these boards are used to evaluate capacitor impedances and characteristics. Each capacitor is charged from a separate isolated 1W DC-DC brick/linear combo with a 2-3V set point and 250mA CC limit.
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Backyard 10-Circuit Water Utility System
09/02/2021 at 07:21 • 0 comments -
[WORK JOB] - USB Connection Delay Stick
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[WORK JOB] - Custom Lab Equipment Control Board
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USB-5V to 24V Super Capacitor Power Buffered Boost Converter
09/02/2021 at 07:20 • 0 comments -
Old Autonomous Ground Based Robots
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First Class D Audio Amplifier
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Very First Linear Power Supply
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Failed/Forgotten Projects
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RC Quadcopter with Video Downlink
09/02/2021 at 07:17 • 0 comments -
RC Plane Autonomous Drone with Instumentation Video Downlink
09/02/2021 at 07:16 • 0 comments -
240-LED, Ultra-Bright 3-Channel Audio VU Meter
09/02/2021 at 07:15 • 0 comments -
Linear Voltage Dropper Module (THE HEAT EJECTOR)
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Zero-Bias Current Class-AB Audio Amplifier
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[WORK JOB] - Adding External PCIe Boards to an Embedded Computer (Stock Image)
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[WORK JOB] - USB-to-BNC 5V Trigger Box
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[WORK JOB] - High Frequency Wireless Energy PCB (Stock Image)
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[WORK JOB] - LED Pulser PCB
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[WORK JOB] - Hardware USB Interface Module Enclosure
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[WORK JOB] - Deployable & Networked Rack Computer Nodes (Stock Image)
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[WORK JOB] - Network Wide Trigger System (Stock Image)
09/02/2021 at 07:11 • 0 comments -
Remotely Controlled Alarm: Buzzer Box 3000!
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[WORK JOB] - Test Jig No.4
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Simplified Galileo's Pendulum Escapement
09/02/2021 at 07:08 • 0 commentsBased on Galileo's Pendulum Escapement, I designed a simplified
mechanism that is suited to 3D printing. Several compromises were
made in the name of simplicity, but overall I am very happy with the
result! See here: -
[WORK JOB] - Test Jig No.3
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[WORK JOB] - Test Jig No.2
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[WORK JOB] - Test Jig No.1
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Fun Induction Motor Demo
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150g Combat Robot for Adelaide Robot Combat (ARC)
09/02/2021 at 07:05 • 0 comments -
PV Peltier Water Collector
09/02/2021 at 07:04 • 0 comments -
Breadboarded 80-LED Analogue Oscilloscope
09/02/2021 at 07:03 • 0 comments -
Pulsed 800A Thyristor Solid State Switch
09/02/2021 at 07:03 • 0 comments -
Class-D Custom Bluetooth Speaker Unit (36W Max)
09/02/2021 at 07:02 • 0 comments -
Peltier Freezer Ice Crystal Time Lapse
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128W Full-Bridge Class-D Audio Amplifier
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Talking Animatronic Gundam Robot
09/02/2021 at 06:59 • 0 comments -
180W Variable Linear Power Supply
09/02/2021 at 06:59 • 0 comments -
MATLAB Code for 3D Printing Math Functions
09/02/2021 at 06:57 • 0 comments -
PhD 4/4: Inverter H-Bridge Decentralised Cascaded System
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PhD 3/4: Bi-Directional Analogue/Digital 3.3V to 5V Converter
09/02/2021 at 06:55 • 0 comments -
PhD 2/4: Inverter H-Bridge Power Stage V2.0
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PhD 1/4: Inverter H-Bridge Power Stage V1.0
09/02/2021 at 06:54 • 0 comments -
Align Trex 550 Helicopter Assembly
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Prusa i3 3D Printer Assembly
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Class AB Amplifier (Stereo 15W)
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FPV RC Car
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Room Automation Board
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50V Capacitor Bank
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Tick tock goes the even larger 3d printed clock
02/14/2021 at 07:27 • 0 commentsThe cad files (not mine): https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3364860
See the "make": https://www.thingiverse.com/make:903447 -
Playing some MIDI tunes on piezo buzzers!
07/08/2020 at 22:42 • 0 commentsOne of those things that is simple to implement with libraries, but very delightful to experience!
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Snippet No.6
07/23/2018 at 11:08 • 0 comments35 lots of 3-6hr prints and a kg of filament later... I have my 80cm Shanghai Oriental Pearl!
See: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1622786/ for the designer of the print and https://www.thingiverse.com/make:517373 for the "make".
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Snippet No.5:
07/14/2018 at 12:31 • 0 commentsFinished printing a kinetic water sculpture from Thingiverse:
See: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2542655 for the file and https://www.thingiverse.com/make:518086 for the "make".
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Snippet No.4:
04/28/2018 at 00:31 • 0 commentsFinished a 200% scale flying Tourbillon from the same author on Thingiverse:
See: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2751917 for the file and https://www.thingiverse.com/make:518083 for the "make".
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Snippet No.3:
04/19/2018 at 03:13 • 0 commentsHaving some fun with a portion of a flying tourbillon from Thingiverse:
(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2751917) -
Snippet No.2:
03/25/2018 at 06:38 • 0 commentsI'm starting to gather a little collection on my desk this week!
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Snippet No.1:
03/21/2018 at 09:51 • 0 commentsFun UGEARS kit that I received as a gift (pneumatic engine):