Tobias🌾

@IamKyros69 A colleague called me crazy when I told him I never even booted into Windows after I bought my new ThinkPad and went straight to Linux. I think he’s the crazy one tbh. 😂

The best decision you’ll ever make is to invest in a ThinkPad.

@Alibre Is it included when purchasing Alibre Design?

Model it. Machine it. Done. Alibre and EZCAM speak the same language. Now available together at Alibre.com build the workflow that fits you. #CAD #CAM #Alibre #Ezcam

@MehdiHacks How's the Weller fume extractor? I currently have a cheap desktop one that works ok, but I'm looking for something a bit better.

My favorite compact soldering station: Ersa Nano Mk2. Mk2 means the 2nd generation, with bayonet-lock tips that are quicker to replace. It's so small that I keep it on top of the fume extractor to save space on my desk. Can definitely recommend this for space-conscious people.

I've designed a small stand-alone case for the mechanical keyboard module I'm using in the open-source laptop design. It's still missing the wireless interface/USB hub/card reader PCB though

Time to assemble the Cherry MX keyboard version 😊

Finally uploaded my DS Lite copper scans ko-fi.com/i/IY8Y21A27ZN

@ItCanBe3 Just a low power µC.

@TobisLab What are you powering with this?

This cute little voltage regulator makes 0603 capacitors look huge by comparison. 😅

@olDirdey I have not cleaned the board yet, this was taken pretty much right after reflow, so sure there is still some flux residue. This is a no clean paste though, so I probably won't bother. Also I don't have an industrial reflow oven, this was done in a modified toaster oven...

@TobisLab take a look at the solder joints, some contain residues and some look as if the paste has not completely liquefied. old paste?

@olDirdey Not sure what you mean by that.

@TobisLab your soldering process requires calibration

@R3PL1C8R x.com/TobisLab/statu…

@TobisLab How’d you get this pic? It’s really hard to get nice shots like this.

This happens when capacitors get a little too cozy during reflow.🧐

@azerimaker x.com/TobisLab/statu…

@TobisLab What's your work flow with focus stacking?

@azerimaker Yes! Otherwise the depth of field would be super shallow at this magnification.

@TobisLab Great picture. Focus stacking?

@bitcoinOrBTC Yeah sure, or it's simply the fact that I hand paste and hand assemble the boards and can't guarantee perfect paste application and part placement every time. Sorry that my basement isn't an automated industrial assembly line. ✌️

@TobisLab This happens when you don't follow ipc rules. Too much paste. Low flux. Bad size footprints.

@atanisoft This one is a TPS7A02. There is an even smaller BGA variant available too. 😅

@TobisLab What's the pn? That's freaking tiny!

@Neolker Yes, I have a programming adapter that looks like this and the vias in pad help a lot with alignment. Ofc a Tag Connect header wouldn't need those, bc it has the 3 pins for alignment. It used to be sold on Tindie: tindie.com/products/madwo…

@TobisLab Via in the pad? 🤔

@ns_schoe The circuit is all routed on the top layer, the bottom layer has a plated copper ring for mechanical reasons. There is no need for a ground layer or pour, this is just a linear charge controller, no switching signals, no data lines.

@ns_schoe Same with the pogo pins, they only provide power to the main board, the most susceptible would be the charge state pin from the battery charger, which is an open drain output, but once assembled it's not an issue.

First board assembled. 😇 Also decided to get the housing 3D-printed, rather than trying to mill it myself, for the time being.