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Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine

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Re: Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine

#31

Post by _flux »

Animats wrote: post #10

Interesting. Not clear what it really does. The hardware is an oscilloscope probe on a 3-axis CNC mechanism. That's called a "flying probe", and you can buy one.[1] Fine. But what does the AI do? It "ingests the project", but what does that mean? Finding all the pins? That's a start. Using a SPICE model to figure out what should be on each pin, and checking? Now that would be impressive. Probably something in between…

What does it do with a single probe, though? You need two to actually probe anything, right?

So I'm wondering how is the second probe problem dealth with. I've considered something similar but with small weight attached to a pogo pin, so the CNC arm could then just move it around, which would not be very easy to get completely reliable as there may be components on the board.

Re: Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine

#32

Post by contingencies »

Animats wrote: post #29
contingencies wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe the standard production check is more like you check continuity between known nets, given that you're the manufacturer, you already know where they are exposed, and therefore you can perform those checks before adding any components. Post component checks are a lot more complicated because active components and passive components will modify the visible voltages and characteristics, often to the point where…

That's a blank board test. This is straightforward given the netlist and Gerber files.[1] It's just a continuity check between known points. Does not require AI. [1] https://bayareacircuits.com/bare-printed-circuit-board-elect...

Yes, manufacturing defined products, at least using known methods, does not require AI.

Although, that doesn't stop people raising while pretending it does!

Re: Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine

#33

Post by kuizu »

A similar concept, but with multiple probes at the same time, was published in this blog series as open source hard- and software: https://www.schutzwerk.com/en/blog/proboter-01/ They explain some of the use cases in this demo video https://youtu.be/TYEjZA-xbGo?is=osWXCrBkLOi4JHxO

Re: Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine

#35

Post by s_m_t »

_flux wrote: post #31
Animats wrote: post #10

Interesting. Not clear what it really does. The hardware is an oscilloscope probe on a 3-axis CNC mechanism. That's called a "flying probe", and you can buy one.[1] Fine. But what does the AI do? It "ingests the project", but what does that mean? Finding all the pins? That's a start. Using a SPICE model to figure out what should be on each pin, and checking? Now that would be impressive. Probably something in between…

What does it do with a single probe, though? You need two to actually probe anything, right? So I'm wondering how is the second probe problem dealth with. I've considered something similar but with small weight attached to a pogo pin, so the CNC arm could then just move it around, which would not be very easy to get completely reliable as there may be components on the board.

Your common oscilloscope is common ground referenced. You attach to your test circuits ground with the typically black alligator clips coming off the probe and then read voltage at a point with the test lead. A decent differential probe like you might be thinking of usually costs about as much as a decent hobbyist oscilloscope.

Re: Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine

#37

Post by _flux »

s_m_t wrote: post #35
_flux wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does it do with a single probe, though? You need two to actually probe anything, right? So I'm wondering how is the second probe problem dealth with. I've considered something similar but with small weight attached to a pogo pin, so the CNC arm could then just move it around, which would not be very easy to get completely reliable as there may be components on the board.

Your common oscilloscope is common ground referenced. You attach to your test circuits ground with the typically black alligator clips coming off the probe and then read voltage at a point with the test lead. A decent differential probe like you might be thinking of usually costs about as much as a decent hobbyist oscilloscope.

Ah well that does simplify things significantly, I suppose it's probably still somewhat useful.

But I'd expect a big part of the nets are not connected to the ground? I mean in my hobby designs a majority of them is, but let's say if you generously use decoupling capacitors, then that might not be the case?

Re: Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine

#38

Post by jstanley »

claytonia wrote: post #21

Cool demo, but letting an AI Agent drive a physical probe may have problems. AI is probabilistic, but hardware is precise. If the model miscalculates a pin's position by even 0.1mm, the probe may crush the board. I am curious how the author actually bridges the gap between the Agent’s 'guess' and the sub-millimeter precision needed to avoid damaging hardware?

A spring-loaded probe would seem sufficient.

Re: Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine

#40

Post by Jamesbeam »

Finally i don’t need to press any buttons on my bionic arm any longer, the AI can find the pin on its own.

What a glorious time to be alive.

Claude really is going to bring pleasure to the people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgtO5sebA9U

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