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Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

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Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#21

Post by SSilver2k2 »

I'm building my PiPlay Advance. A Pi Zero game console with all off the shelf components (plus our PCB) and only a few solder points.

Our BOM is about $35 - $45 right now before bulk discounts.

http://blog.sheasilverman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/778...

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerQdiZrYwMojO9M8Hi...

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#23

Post by gravypod »

jcoffland wrote: post #2

I develop Open-Source software for CNC simulation. https://blog.buildbotics.com

You're doing some much needed work and I really hope you not only stick to this but win out in every way.

I cannot understate how much I have been waiting for a good UX/UI on a CAM that doesn't require running HUGE closed-source packages.

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#24

Post by brettanomyces »

I'm adding flow meters to my keggerator so I can detect when someone pours themselves a beer from one of the taps.

The plan is to have a camera take a photo, do some facial recognition to see if its either one of my flatmates or myself, then optionally post the pic to #beertheif on twitter or start playing some music based on the chosen beer.

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#25

Post by doobiedowner »

Home automation with old industrial hardware: an Allen Bradley SLC 503.

I read and write data to the SLC with a python script on a RaspberryPI, which also serves up an interface to the SLC and historical data using Flask and MySQL. I've got the thermostat, a door switch, and a few lights hooked up.

I VPN in when I'm on the road just to keep tabs on things. I've never enjoyed how 'closed' commercial home automation is, and this was the result.

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#27

Post by jeff_marshall »

Keyframe wrote: post #20

Not yet, I'm in research / learning / pooling resources for pcb fab on a desk, all-in-one. I've done CNCs before as a hobby, film scanners and stuff like that and I have some concepts which I think could yield an 'affordable' all-in-one pcb. You give the machine gerbers, you get (a few layered) pcb out. Maybe even a pick and place inside, but that's further down in concept. One step at a time, as time permits.

Out of curiosity, how are you planning on handling plating for vias and through-holes?

The desire to stop handling chemicals (I have no convenient means of proper disposal) has got me using the on-line prototype services for anything multi-layer (though I've thought about using my CNC mill for some simple single layer stuff).

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#29

Post by deutronium »

brettanomyces wrote: post #24

I'm adding flow meters to my keggerator so I can detect when someone pours themselves a beer from one of the taps. The plan is to have a camera take a photo, do some facial recognition to see if its either one of my flatmates or myself, then optionally post the pic to #beertheif on twitter or start playing some music based on the chosen beer.

That sounds really fun :) I've heard good things about the Swissflow flow meters, for monitoring beer flow to the tap, but they're _really_ expensive :(
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