Tools and Tech

Tools & Tech 2014

What are we going to do?

• learn to identify (or guessify) common 'building blocks' in a device
• understand some of the ways how a device knows about its surroundings
• understand some of the ways a device can influence its environment
• learn to work with a microcontroller platform
• learn basics of programming
• possibly learn soldering(?)

How to go about all that?

We'll need to fill up our tools & tech toolbox!

Tools & Tech ToolBox

basic knowledge of electronics like

• • basic theory
  • components
  • sensors
  • actuators
  • displays
  • ..

how to choose the right platform for your project

• • Arduino
  • Arduino compatibles
  • Raspberry PI
  • Beaglebone
  • Gumstix
  • MBed
  • ...

basic knowledge on programming

• what programming languages are out there
  • C
  • C++
  • Java
  • Python
  • Ruby
  • Lisp
  • (Bash) Shell
  • ..

how do we actually prototype/make things

• • breadboarding
  • soldering
    • Throughole
    • SMD
    • Soldering iron
    • Reflow
  • CAD / PCB layout
  • etching

Project ideas

• In groups of four define your own project to make in the next coming weeks.
• In groups of four

• Find a project to build and adapt
• Find an existing device and hack it to do what you want
• build from scratch

Links

http://www.instructables.com/id/What-Does-Fashion-Lack-MICROCONTROLLERS-but-WHICH/?ALLSTEPS http://littlebits.cc/browse-lessons/learning-concept-simplified-for-electrical-circuit http://www.adafruit.com/blog/category/circuit-playground/ http://www.instructables.com/id/Basic-Electronics/?ALLSTEPS https://learn.adafruit.com/category/learn-arduino http://octopart.com/

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Previous years
2013