element14 Presents

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Super Glue Gun 02: Extruder Motor Apr 12, 2017

Show notes

We're making progress with the Super Glue Gun project, though we've hit a problem and we need your help! To push the glue sticks into the gun, we need motor control. For this we're prototyping with ATTiny24, Arduino, TRIACs, and testing different motors, such as stepper motors. It can be tricky, first the team have to identify how much power they use depending on how much effort it needs to turn, and control them using an Arduino. Unfortunately, there are unforeseen consequences! Let us know if you can help on the element14 Community. ---

Nintendo Classic Edition Teardown with David of Technophiles Apr 06, 2017

Show notes

It's another hardware teardown! This time it's the Nintendo Classic Edition that belongs to David of the Technophiles podcast, which was brought in to have the controller cable extended. Using Keysight's DSOX1102G oscilloscope, Ben is able to find out how the NES controller talks with the base using of the NES Classic using i2c. The inner workings of the NES Classic controller is then compared against a Wii Pro controller, and we discover something rather shocking! Once the cable has been cut, ben solders everything back together for David to test out some games. What other hardware should Ben teardown? let us know on the element14 Community!

Mini Pinball 01: Project Mockup Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

As the team work on bringing their projects into production, it's time to work on the Super Space Shuttle Mini Pinball game! This was definitely an element14 community favourite, and the first thing the team needs is some critical analysis on how well it was put together. Changing up the design is the first order of the day, as it is important to get the correct angles and layout, and use the right materials. Karen and Ben use Autodesk's Fusion 360 to design new flippers, while Felix puts together a new set of solenoids and mosfets with a powerful spring kit. Meanwhile the main consideration is which size bearing to use! How do you think the design should be laid out? Perhaps a different theme of pinball? Let us know on the element14 Community!

Logic Gate Board Game 01: Project Planning Mar 23, 2017

Show notes

For any product it is always important to get the major decisions out of the way first! Who's the intended audience? What will it look like? How can we make it portable? and most importantly, how do we reduce the cost? Join Karen and Ben as they discuss and plan the important aspects, first, for the Logic Gate Board Game. The team could use your help! What size do you think the game should be, and can you recommend a suitable LCD screen and microcontroller to use with it? You can get a feel for the direction the game is going in with the prototypes Karen and Ben mock up in this episode using the PIC microcontroller and ChipKit! Let the team know your ideas on the element14 Community where you can be part of the build!

Super Glue Gun 01: Hot Tool Teardown Mar 16, 2017

Show notes

You may not believe this, while your typical glue guns may look the same, they may not be made alike! There can be distinct design differences within that plastic, gun-like shell. In this episode progress is made towards the Super Glue Gun as the team tears down existing hot working tools; measuring the power draw of each tool, and to see how and if it matches its rated specification. Ben also demonstrates how a triac works, and begins planning with a diagram of the components needed and temperature control for the Super Glue Gun. Let the team know what you think of the long term builds and follow its progress on the element14 Community.

Nintendo Switch Teardown Mar 08, 2017

Show notes

We don't know why Ben does the things that he does sometimes, but he keeps on licking. Discover what we mean as Ben, Karen and Felix tear down the new Nintendo Switch games console and Joy Con controllers. How does it compare to a laptop or tablet computer? Is it designed for easy maintenance or upgradeability? Let us know what you think on the element14 Community.

Announcing Three New Build! Mar 02, 2017

Show notes

You asked for bigger, better, longer term builds with detail, so the team are going to design 3 things that can be brought to market or to crowd funding such as kickstarter! Starting with Logic Bomb, a refactoring of the Hackmanji board game. How can it be made durable, smaller and help to make digital logic as easy to learn as using a speak and spell? Next up is the Super Glue Gun, with Ben's obsession with these things can the team compare existing products and embed a microcontroller to design something suitable? Finally the choice of the element14 Community, a Mini Pinball machine, can this build be made into a kit? is 3D printing suitable? Follow the team as they work on the builds and have your say in guiding the projects on the element14 Community!

Ben Heck's Mystery Hack Theater Feb 23, 2017

Show notes

Get a window into the world of the Ben Heck Show MST3K style! The team is now focused on longer term builds to ensure a more robust design and detailed build! With this in mind, the team looks back on previous builds, and makes plans to build them again from the ground up! Could they actually bring one of these builds to market?

Ben Heck's Zelda Lamp: Upcycle Laptop LCD Screens Feb 16, 2017

Show notes

Humans by nature can be more than a little bit wasteful, thanks to the introduction of recycling we can minimize this a little, but some things are too good to throw away! Now a new trend is beginning: Upcycling! Karen has the idea to repurpose laptop screens to create a Legend of Zelda inspired lamp, however not just any laptop screen will do. As the team rip apart old hardware they soon discover the different types of screens which have been used in old personal computer laptops and Apple MacBooks over the years. With the correct screens identified, Karen gets down to business with Adobe Illustrator and designs suitable laser cut frames, watch the episode to find out the little tips and tricks to make the perfect design! Have you upcycled any old hardware? Think you could enter your project into a design competition? Find out more on the element14 Community!

Ben Heck's Portable N64 Part 2 Feb 09, 2017

Show notes

When Ben began with the Nintendo 64 build, we knew it wasn't going to be easy! In this episode, Ben shrinks down the size of the controller, embeds the RAM expansion, and begins to design the case with design inspiration taken from the Nintendo Switch. To embed the controller we have to get creative with the notorious analogue stick. It needs to be re-worked, and thanks to an Arduino Pro Micro it can be replaced with a joystick from Sony's Playstation Vita. Further hackery comes in the form of a custom made printed circuit board to house the controller chip, as the one from the original joypad is far too big. Unfortunately, there's one final problem to overcome, you'll have to watch the episode to find out what it is! Do you have any ideas on how this portable could be made differently? Or have you made your own? Let us know on the element14 Community!

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