Tech Tips 101 PSHS Design and Make '18 CADIGOY, Yzan Paolo Y

1. Tech Tips 101

2. Do you have to create a tech-related project
but have no idea where to start?
2
Here are some helpful tips that I
discovered throughout my Design and
Make year!

3. 1.
Electronics
Tips and tricks in dealing with the Arduino, circuits, and
electronics in general

4. Arduino is for prototyping!
Once you want to create the final working product, swapping
over to just the ATMEGA328 microcontroller does the job.
4
Arduino UNO
ATMEGA328 microcontroller
These pins/holes
Work like these pins

5. Arduino is for prototyping!
Saves space and money!
New Arduino UNO = Php ~500
New ATMEGA 328 = Php ~100
Arduino UNO dimensions = 68.6 x 53.3 mm
ATMEGA328 dimensions = 37.4 x 6.76 mm
5

6. Arduino is for prototyping!
For a more comprehensive guide on how to implement this,
follow this link!
6
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Standalone

7. Color-code your wires and follow them!
7
For ease in debugging and wire identification, set a color-code for
the wires prior to starting the project and follow it throughout.
When something malfunctions, it’s easier to debug with an
organized layout.
You don’t have to follow a certain standard, you just need
something you can personally follow and remember.
Ex. Red = 5V
Black = GND
Yellow = Analog Pin 1

8. Always plan your wiring diagram ahead!
8
The more planned the layout is, the less cluttered and messy the
final board will look like.
X

9. Use those long lines!
Take advantage of perfboard's long parallel terminals. Setting these
connections as power and/or ground is crucial in making your connections
clean and organized.
9

10. Use those long lines!
NOTE
All the GNDs within your circuit should be connected to each other.
By using the long terminal, it’s easier to connect different areas of the
board together
10
Now this point
Is connected to this point

11. Soldering is an important skill to learn!
To make sure the soldering lead binds properly, ensure that
the solder, iron, wire and copper pad are all heated up.
11

12. Protect those eyes!
Protection is very important! In soldering, the lead has some tendency
to crackle and pop and can easily find its way to your eyes or hands.
12
X

13. Series or parallel?
Power input lacking current? Connect your power supplies in a parallel layout.
Power input lacking voltage? Connect your power supplies in a series layout.
13

14. 5V ain’t always the way to go!
Some modules are very sensitive to power inputs! Knowing that these modules
can get very expensive, always opt to use voltage regulators such as LM7805 for
the usual 5V needed inputs. Certain archaic modules such as the ESP8266
requires 3.3V, and thus needs another kind of voltage regulator.
14

15. 5V ain’t always the way to go!
PRO TIP!
Since 3.3V voltage regulators are pretty rare in the Philippines, following this
simple diagram will output 3.3V using a widely-available LM317.
15

16. Baud rate == Baud rate
In using Arduino, make sure that the set baud rate on your sketch is equal to the
baud rate in the Serial Monitor. If not, your outputs will throw jibberish to your
serial monitor.
16

17. Not enough memory?
Have a project but it needs more memory than what the Uno can provide? Use the
Mega! Are you a cheapskate? Use two ATMEGA328s and have them
communicate through their TX and RX pins!
17
(1) TX <--> (2) RX
(1) RX <--> (2) TX T - Transmit
R - Receive
Simply, connect the transmit of one board to the receive of the other.

18. 1.
Laser cutting
Tips and tricks in dealing with the Laser cutter and
designing in general.

19. Basic settings
Vector cutting
Thickness: 0.001 inches
Color: Red (#FF0000) or (255, 0, 0) or Blue (#0000FF) or (0, 0, 255)
Raster
Color: Black (#000000) or (0, 0, 0)
NOTE!
These settings can change depending on the machine and preset. Always ask first
before starting your design.
Calibrating the cutter to suit the thickness of your design is also crucial
19

20. Joining those parts
You don’t always have to manually friction fit your individual design parts.
Take advantage of the internet and the tools it provides!
20
Joinery by Clement Zheng
https://clementzheng.github.io/joinery/
Through Joinery, designers simply define connections between part
edges in the assembly, while the system generates the joints. This system
offers six different joint profiles for a variety of material and design needs.

21. Joining those parts
21
Joinery by Clement Zheng
https://clementzheng.github.io/joinery/

22. AutoDesk Suite of Applications
22
AutoDesk provides their applications free of charge for students! You can use your
normal email address and state that you’re a student. After doing this, AutoDesk
provides you with a never-expiring pass for their applications such as Fusion 360,
AutoCAD, Inventor, and so much more!

23. Accurate measurements!
23
Most of the time, your designs need accurate measurements. By using a Vernier
caliper, you can ensure that you’ll be getting more accurate measurements compared to
just using a normal ruler.
How to use?

24. 24
Thanks!
Tech Tips 101 version 1.0
290418
CADIGOY, Yzan Paolo Y.