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120 LED Ring Clock


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Hey, It's been along time since I've posted. but I've been keeping busy with uni and working on some cool projects for the last year.   This is something I'd like to share with you guys, it's not fi

I've been working on the code for the control board. Here is a quick demo.       I've ordered a few more parts (accelerometer, regulator, levelshifter) which my board is running without curr

Here is an updated PCB. 100% compatible with the old one. However this one features the new WS2812B footprint.   Here is the Altium project files. Includes gerbers and schematics. ledRing_2.zip

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If someone who has completed their ring could run it from a benchtop power supply and give us some current readings. 

 

If not all the segments are going to be lit a simple USB phone charger should work.

 

I have been informed that my controller segment PCB has shipped. Hopefully it will all work. I'll be able to ship any spare PCBs to anyone who wants them. 

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post-274-0-02063800-1394084872_thumb.jpg

 

I received my set of LEDs and PCBs from the group buy yesterday. I've soldered up one ring.

 

post-274-0-41964100-1394084928_thumb.jpg

 

I have errata for a new version.

  • The pieces go together reasonably well. I didn't account for any milling error, which I will in a new revision. This will give a nicer fit.
  • The silk screen for the LEDs should be updated, I found it difficult to center the LEDs on the footprint. The new silk should show the square shape of the LED, not just the notched corner.
  • The edge connectors could be brought closer to the edges. also made longer.
  • Through hole vias connect directly to the polygon pours rather than with 4 traces, (the way SMD pads do)
  • Modify the OSHW logo, (remove soldermask)
  • Move silkscreen text around.

They're all small things, mostly aesthetics.

 

 

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for anyone looking at mounting their rings using the holes. M3 screws have a nice, lose fit. But the head has very little clearance over some of the LEDs pins. Maybe use tape or paper under the screw head to avoid shorts.

 

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I have found that these button head hex screws work the best, they're lower profile than the Phillips head M3 screws that I have on hand atleast.

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@@greeeg - I soldered mine on Saturday (will post pictures soon) - I honestly didn't have any trouble.  I had better luck with hand-soldering vs reflow - but I don't have a stencil and kind of suck at reflow so far   :wacko:

I had no problems with the milling - I soldered mine based on the 3d printed frame I was working with anyway, so there's a bit of a gap between each segment -  it still looks great from the front.  

I'm working on printing a new frame - had to do some printer maintenance to fix some problems - should be able to print it out tonight.  

 

This thing is gorgeous - I even got a "wow" from my wife - that's impressive.

 

The only thing I noticed - the LEDs appear to be organized counter-clockwise - unless it's just the demo code I found for Energia...  Minor thing to work around though.

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That is what small batches are for. Nothing that cannot be fixed. 

If possible, can you edit your first post with the issues found, that way, if anyone asks, it is easy to direct them. It also serves as version history.

Thanks @@greeeg

Okay shall do. None of these errors are deal breakers. Not like any footprints are reversed or anything. :D

 

@@greeeg - I soldered mine on Saturday (will post pictures soon) - I honestly didn't have any trouble.  I had better luck with hand-soldering vs reflow - but I don't have a stencil and kind of suck at reflow so far   :wacko:

I had no problems with the milling - I soldered mine based on the 3d printed frame I was working with anyway, so there's a bit of a gap between each segment -  it still looks great from the front.  

I'm working on printing a new frame - had to do some printer maintenance to fix some problems - should be able to print it out tonight.  

 

This thing is gorgeous - I even got a "wow" from my wife - that's impressive.

 

The only thing I noticed - the LEDs appear to be organized counter-clockwise - unless it's just the demo code I found for Energia...  Minor thing to work around though.

 

I hand soldered mine. Just the single pin tack down, make sure they're all flat, then solder the rest of the pins.

 

You can notice in my last photo that the PCB on the left is slighty(~.5mm) higher. It's not a big deal at all, and could just be my slack soldering :P

 

haha, thanks :P

 

Yeah, the leds are arranged in 2 CCW rings. Honestly I have no idea why I made them CCW. looking at it now CW would have made the traces shorter between each LED. It's not such a big deal, just a SW thing. The whole ring has to be updated in one block anyway. 

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@@cubeberg I have not decided on a power supply yet but I was looking for something similar to this:

Let me know what you think.

@@pyrosster - I saw those - I didn't like that the contacts for the AC were bare - not something I'm going to want sitting out in my house.  @@RobG might have some ideas though - I know he's run larger panels of WS2811's.

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