Electronic Products
Find us here:
  • Books
    • Embedded C Books >
      • cbookfiles
      • cbook2files
      • cbook3files
    • BASIC Books >
      • Programming PICs in BASIC_vol1
      • PICBasic Book Support
      • Basic Atom Book Support
    • Other Books >
      • Arduino Book
      • chipkitbookfiles
  • Chuck's Blog
    • Blog Posts Archive
    • Disclaimer
  • YouTube Channel
  • About Chuck
    • About Chuck
    • Stock Car Racing
  • 3D Printing
    • Fabrikator Mini
  • Getting Started with PICs
    • BASIC Programming
    • C Programming >
      • C Compilers
  • Build Your Own PICKit 2
    • PICkit 2 Starter Kit
  • CHIPINO
    • Shields
  • CHIPAXE Breadboard Modules
  • Understanding Hex Files
  • chipKIT
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Contact
  • Retired Designs
    • BasicBoard
    • Ultimate OEM
    • Maximite BasicBox
    • Maximino
  • Downloads
  • Kickstarter Projects
    • Demo-Shield
  • Great Cow Basic Site
  • Buy Hardware
  • Links I Recommend

Graphic LCD

5/29/2013

3 Comments

 
I've wanted to get a graphic LCD working for a long time but never could find the time to read through all the data sheet info and then develop the code. It was a great surprise when I found that the Great Cow Basic compiler had built in support. Problem is the documentation was missing. So I sorted through the header file and was able to get a KS0108 128x64 LCD to work directly with a CHIPINO mini module.
Picture
The commands are structured so that ASCII characters don't start displaying until 15 decimal. So I created a looping program that displayed the decimal number for the ASCII character and then drew a box that contained the ASCII character so I could verify the capability.

The Great Cow Basic compiler has commands to draw ASCII phrases and individual characters. It can also draw lines both horizontal and vertical and also an open or filled box.

More detail can be found at the greatcowbasic.com sample programs page.
3 Comments

MakerCase for CNC

5/18/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
I want to add either a 3D printer and/or desktop CNC machine to my lab but I still haven't decided which one to get first. I'm not great with CAD software so its a learning curve either way. 

I've been trying to find the best software options to get started and they are both getting easier. But I don't think you can beat this new software called MakerCase by Jon Hollander. You just put in the dimensions and it creates the box for you. Then you can add round or square holes. On top of that you can add text to be etched on top of the panels. When your done it outputs a .svg file for direct import into a Laser Cutter. 

I'm just getting started with this software to see how well it works and I have a place near my workshop that does laser cutting for a low price, so this may be my first step towards making my own boxes for my electronic projects.

1 Comment

8x8 Dot Matrix Shield

5/15/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I bought one of these matrix shield kits on ebay. I had to search a little for the assembly instructions and schematic which were not included but after getting all that sorted out I was able to make a sample program to display ASCII characters using a CHIPINO module and Great Cow Basic.

The project can be downloaded from the GreatCowBasic.com website under the Sample Projects section. It's a start and I hope to create more in the future. 

Getting the correct orientation and pixel settings was a bit difficult but to help create the characters I used one of the many character creator applications on the web.
Here are a few of the best ones I found:
Pattern Library
LCD Creator
Character Calculator

0 Comments

Getting Started with chipKIT

5/9/2013

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

CopperConnection PCB Software

5/6/2013

1 Comment

 
In my last post I mentioned I like to use ExpressPCB software for creating circuit boards. One complaint many people have with ExpressPCB is you have to pay $60 to get the gerber files for your project. Nothing is ever really free is it? But the ExpressPCB software works so well and the few click ordering without having to deal with gerber files is actually something I really like about ExpressPCB. But occasionally you need the Gerbers.

Well David Cook has created a software package that works with ExpressPCB files and then produces a set of gerber files. He also has added features that ExpressPCB doesn't offer but the main advantage to me is the Gerber file outputs. You can output the files for toner transfer, or files for direct to manufacture. The software is free but you have to buy the studio version to get the Gerber output. Studio version costs $49. So for a one time fee of $49 instead of a project fee of $60 you can now get Gerbers from your ExpressPCB files.

Check it out at this link CopperConnection.
1 Comment

ExpressPCB

5/5/2013

0 Comments

 
My favorite circuit board layout software is ExpressPCB. You can download it for free and it includes a free schematic drawing software as well called ExpressSCH. And you can easily link the schematic to the PCB for highlighted netlist connections.

It's really an easy software to learn but doesn't have many of the advanced features some people are looking for (like autorouting). It works great for me and with a few clicks I can get three 2.5"x3.8" boards with silk screen and solder mask delivered for under $85.

I'm working on a beginner's book for this software to help someone get started plus I'll include many tips and tricks.

Check out ExpressPCB at ExpressPCB.com.
0 Comments

MPLAB Archive

5/2/2013

1 Comment

 
In my Beginner's Guide to Embedded C Programming book series I used what was the latest IDE (MPLAB) and C Compiler (HI-TECH) available at the time I wrote the books. I liked how the MPLAB installation included the HI-TECH compiler in the installation setup. By installing just one package, both would get installed. This was great for a beginner to reduce confusion. But that's not the case with all MPLAB installation levels anymore. After a certain level you have to install them separately. 

Now both MPLAB and HI-TECH have been replaced by the MPLABX IDE and the XC8 compiler but that doesn't mean you can't use the MPLAB and HI-TECH to learn C programming. They still work just fine. They just don't support any new components that may be released in the coming years.  At some point I plan to update the books but there are many schools using my books to teach C programming. So here is a link to the archive where you can still download the MPLAB/HI-TECH combination installation files. 

MPLAB Archive
Here is a summary of which level of compiler installs with the various MPLAB levels:
MPLAB 8.30 - HI-TECH v9.60PL5
MPLAB 8.56 - HI-TECH v9.71A
MPLAB 8.60 - HI-TECH v9.80  <-------
MPLAB 8.70 - HI-TECH v9.81
MPLAB 8.76 - HI-TECH v9.82
MPLAB 8.80 - HI-TECH v9.83
MPLAB 9.83 - HI-TECH v9.83


I recommend this for the books since HI-TECH made some changes after this that are not reflected in the book's code samples.
Any later versions requires you to install the HI-TECH compiler separately.
1 Comment

Free Microchip PIC Samples

5/1/2013

4 Comments

 
Did you know that you can get free samples of Microchip PIC Microcontrollers?
Go to www.microchip.com/samples

You will have to login so create a login account and then enter the site. From there you can select the family of parts you want to choose from and then the specific part you want.
Picture
Find the package type you need, in this case I've selected the PIC16F886 - I/SP which is the DIP package part used in the CHIPINO module. Then click on the little grey sample box to the left to load the part in your checkout basket. 
Picture
You can click on that up to three times to get three samples of one part number and you are allowed to get two different part numbers in one sample order. I believe you are limited to 6 total samples per month but for a hobbyist, this can be a monthly way to stock up your lab.
Picture
When you are done selecting your samples, you step through the check out process. Enter your shipping address and then complete the final order submission. In most cases they are shipped out for free.
It's Microchip's way of letting you learn and test your design with their parts. 
4 Comments

    Categories

    All
    3D Printer
    Chipaxe
    Chipino
    Chipkit
    CNC
    Copper Connection
    Dot Matrix
    Elproductsnews
    Expresspcb
    Graphic Lcd
    Great Cow Basic
    Kickstarter
    Lcd Shield
    Makefaire
    Makercase
    Maximite
    Microchip Pic
    Pickit 2
    Pickit 3
    Videos

    Visit previous blog posts in the archives below.

    Archives

    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    October 2012
    October 2011

    RSS Feed



    About Chuck

    Chuck has been programming with PIC Microcontrollers since there were only five devices. Now there are over 700 and growing. He also has a lot of fun 3D printing designs using his Davinci 3D printer and TinkerCad software. In this series of blog posts and occasional videos on his YouTube Channel he tries to help you get started with electronics and 3D printing.

    Disclaimer

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.