I grabbed a big hardware kit from Maker’s Supply and have been wondering what to do with the parts. Light effects would be really cool for some projects but the power distribution board and available switches don’t look like they would allow cams to actuate since the pushbuttons are locking.
(Note to @MakerWorld - momentary pushbuttons would allow cam actuation to use a gearmotor and cam profiles for logic)
Anyway, as ideas bubbled up I went back to an old favorite - Adafruit.com.
The Arduino stuff proper looks like it’s being phased out but I’ve done a few projects with the Trinket M0 and SPI and I2C connections to other boards. One is a 12 channel PWM LED driver board that I use to light up “fireflies” in a bottle that a little garden statue holds. They light up randomly and in unison like actual fireflies under program control. But there are also touch sensors, servo drivers, etc.
These boards are a little complex to use but they are designed to be easy to use and Adafruit is heavy into STEM education. There’s lots of resources there that explain pretty much how to do everything, soldering tutorials, etc.
Partnered with Maker’s Supply pieces, it opens up a big world of things you can do.
And just found this there about their modular interface - StemmaQT -
My Bambu electronics come in tomorrow and I can’t wait to dig into it! I’m really interested in the N20 motors and how they could be used to make rotating engine assemblies. I plan on sharing some projects and info once I get everything organized I agree that MakerSupply needs more actuators and switches, and I’d personally love to see more LED accessories. I have a few COBB LED’s on the way so we’ll see how those look
I just got my hands on the cobb LED strip and have another in my basket for next order - at least to me very cool. They are weird too - they are super limp and flexible so will take a channel to hold in position but very pleasing color and a really nice lighting effect. I think Adafruit has the same things in a nOOds line and in different colors. But without a doubt a mesmerizing bit of kit.
Yeah, those WiFi enabled esp32 boards are amazing. I bought a programmable digital switch recently to use for some sprinklers with a pump from rain barrels. What was amazing to me was how you configure the programmable switch. There is an esp32 wifi/bluetooth module they sell that connects to the switch with SPI if I remember correctly. It’s a 3 wire interface whatever it is. The esp32 has its own wifi network up and you connect to it with some other wifi device (tablet/phone) and open a web page that does all the configuration settings. I thought it was brilliant. I’ve got another one I’m turning into a weather display with an e ink panel and a model from MW. The esp32s are very cool.
I’ve seen the COBB Lamps that use magnets to hold the LED strip and that gave me some ideas! I ordered a 100mm and a 300mm to play with.
I’d love some esp32 controllers on the MakerSuply site! With the recent release of the MakerSupply parts I think we’ll see some really cool projects coming out in the next few months
Adafruit has esp32 boards with wifi, bluetooth, and that Stemma connector.
That whole StemmaQT line is the same concept of modular connection assembly like the other stuff in Maker’s Supply so can build pretty complex stuff without the need for people to know how to solder and have the proper equipment.
That would make 3D prints that use these parts much more accessible to a wider audience.
The boards that support Arduino, like the ESP32, Teensy & Seeeduino to name just a few, are fast, and powerful and many have significant numbers of I/O, wireless comms and more.
I am trying to play with some electronics again (provided the hand tremors don’t stop me), I am playing with some ESP32 boards and some other parts for a new model.
A new model that no one will download as they have no easy access to ESP32 boards and a few extras unless they go to that Amazon place and grab them really easily of course.
I hope Maker’s Supply gets some ESP32 boards and some related add-ons.
You can all look at my pictures and animated GIFs of my model when it is complete and think, “Idiot - no one will download that”. I don’t care.
I said Arduino proper boards. The R3 is no longer stocked and same for a lot of the other “early” boards. But there’s lots of compatible boards that really extend the capabilities.
Ah! I was surprised the boards like the R3 are gone now. I have a couple of those and thought I could use them in projects but not if no longer available. Use up old stock for me but turns out it was old stock in other ways too.
The Trinket m0 is a nice little board if you don’t need the I/O on the board itself but with that StemmaQT interface, the Trinket is now dated at least for purposes here. It’s a fair jump in cost but the esp32 stuff with StemmaQT interface might be the hot ticket now. Minimal or no soldering. There are some cool functions available with those little breakout boards.
I’ve been circling the add to cart button on a few things, this certainly has taken the shop to a higher level. Reminds me of the 100-in-1 electronics kits of the days gone by, I loved that stuff. The next level would be the project book and parts kit. I’m sure that will drop soon enough.
With color printing capabilities all sorts of stuff becomes possible but Bambu has added motion and basic lighting capabilities with Maker’s Supply. But microcontrollers and sensors add a whole other level of capability to models. Light sensors and capacitive sensors can tell if someone or something is near and actuate motion, lighting, and/or audio. Maker’s Supply has some cool linear actuators, servos, and motors that can be used for all sorts of things.
For instance, you can do sparkling LEDs embedded in a night sky, lights in rooms in a building or castle can flicker like a fireplace or candle, and you can simulate occupants moving around by sequencing what lights are on and off. You can even control LED colors to set different moods.
It’s really limited just by imagination. The StemmaQT stuff makes it mostly a plug together exercise but there will still be some soldering. The big one is probably writing the software that coordinates things but Adafruit has very targeted how-to articles that explain just about everything.
Those who enjoy designing cosplay can add amazing options to their models. Lighting being the most obvious, but, sound effects, motors, popup helmet visors and much more.
Motors on vehicles, remote control for steering.
WiFi and Bluetooth support for music players. Home automation options.
Fancy controlling if your blinds are up or down or your curtains are open or closed, print and electronics FTW.
I agree that MakerSupply needs more actuators and switches, and I’d personally love to see more LED accessories. I have a few COBB LED’s on the way so we’ll see how those look