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A project log for SAB3T - PID Loop Educational Tool

Learn how to use PID loops for fun: SAB3T - Servo Actuated Ball Bearing Balancing Touchscreen.

timTim 08/11/2015 at 04:260 Comments

When I bring SAB3T to market it will be sold as a kit that is assembled by the end user. With that in mind I sent a message to Sophi looking for clarification on what state I should ship the 3 proto units to Hackaday in for Best Product judging. On the one hand, assembly is part of the fun and experience with SAB3T. But on the other hand there will probably be more than 3 judges (I think? who knows.) They won't all get the same experience, and if they get 70 projects that need to be assembled they'll spend days on it.

Sophi suggested that I ship 2 assembled, and one unassembled. Tonight I got the 2 assembled minus the PCBs.

My proto unit on the left, 2 of the HaD protos on the right

Packaging:

I've been kicking around ideas for how to package SAB3T for the past couple of weeks. Tonight I got it all down in CAD and lasered a proto box for my proto SAB3T kit.

I didn't have a big enough piece of cardboard so I taped 2 together. I did a little engraving on it but it didn't come out dark enough. You can only see the engraving if you hold it just right in the light.

It folded up quite nicely. I've never designed a box before so that was exciting.There is a divider that goes in there too. I didn't cut one out tonight. Tomorrow I'm going to stop somewhere and see if I can get some cardboard that is white on one side. I'll redo the box and it should look sharp.

Shipping Update:
I'm still waiting on my PCBs to arrive from OSHpark. I'm going to delay shipping the demo units out until Wednesday in hopes that my boards show up. Unfortunately I decided to make a board a little late, so I'll probably be shipping without them.

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