Adafruit Weekly Editorial Round-Up: August 25th – August 31st, Device Simulator Express for Circuit Playground Express and More!
ADAFRUIT WEEKLY EDITORIAL ROUND-UP
We’ve got so much happening here at Adafruit that it’s not always easy to keep up! Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Each week we’ll be posting a handy round-up of what we’ve been up to, ranging from learn guides to blog articles, videos, and more.
BLOG
Meet Device Simulator Express, #PythonSim a @MSFTGarage project, built by Garage interns that makes it easier to program the @adafruit Circuit Playground Express in #Python, with or without a physical device
OK! Big news! Meet Device Simulator Express, a Microsoft Garage project, built by Garage interns that makes it easier to program the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express in Python / CircuitPython, with or without a physical device!
This summer 16 groups of Garage interns tackled interesting engineering challenges ranging from making apps more accessible to VR solutions for cybersecurity. One of them was sponsored by the Python Tools for AI team and electronics paragon Adafruit to and set out to make programming embedded solutions for IoT devices simpler and more available to a broader audience.
More BLOG:
Keeping with tradition, we covered quite a bit this past week. Here’s a kinda short nearing medium length list of highlights:
- Becca brought us Emoji ENHANCE with Progressive Face Super-Resolution
- Did ya hear about The @GrowBeyondEarth maker contest — plant projects in space! @FairchildGarden @NASA #SPACEgarden Teddy posted about?
- Ben (and Eric ?) want you to Organize to Optimize!
- Mike Barela shared this vid of Bob Moog on ‘To Tell The Truth’
- Mike Barela also shared this Harry Potter Dueling Wands project that is full of Adafruit ?
- Kelly helped us celebrate Women’s Equality Day!
- Last week of #BackToSchool – may your endeavors be fruitful, folks
- Biohacking this week – Mikey Sklar covers Ear Based Heart Rate Monitoring
Learn
Anatomical 3D Printed Beating Heart with MakeCode
This 3D printed heart beats rhythmically, powered by a servo motor and a Circuit Playground Express board connected to a potentiometer, which allows the user to increase or decrease the heart rate.
More LEARN:
- Getting Started with Braille Output for CircuitPython REPL
- NeoTrellis Feather Case Assembly
- Using WebUSB with Arduino and TinyUSB
- Datalogging and File Storage in MakeCode
- Cranky Adabot Solder Dispenser
- Building an Infrared Transmitter and Receiver Board
Browse all that’s new in the Adafruit Learning System here!
What is Metrology Part 9: Machine Vision
In this metrology series we have focused a lot on companies as well as technology they are creating in terms of metrology. I would like to take a different approach to a couple of the next articles. I would like to look into certain topics that are of interest to me within this field. The technology used in this field is high tech and very important to keep in mind when thinking about the future developments of the industry. Machine vision is definitely one of these types of technologies that will be vital for the industry and its future development. In this article I will be defining machine vision and taking a look into how it integrates well with metrology.
Machine vision is the technology and methods used to provide imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for applications such as automatic inspection, process control, and robot guidance, usually in industry. Machine vision is a term encompassing a large number of technologies, software and hardware products, integrated systems, actions, methods and expertise. Machine vision as a systems engineering discipline can be considered distinct from computer vision, a form of computer science. It attempts to integrate existing technologies in new ways and apply them to solve real world problems. The term is the prevalent one for these functions in industrial automation environments but is also used for these functions in other environments such as security and vehicle guidance.
As mentioned this term is distinct from a common term people have known as computer vision. Machine vision refers to the larger scale expertise of imaging hardware, software, and other products that integrate together. A machine is telling a user what is there and there needs to be nothing more additional within this process. Computer vision is typically trying to optimize an image and the data that it represents. Computer vision is an interdisciplinary scientific field that deals with how computers can be made to gain high-level understanding from digital images or videos. From the perspective of engineering, it seeks to automate tasks that the human visual system can do. In a different article we will explore computer vision more thoroughly.
With machine vision being such a vast field here are some initial applications of it:
- Predictive Maintenance
- Packaging Inspection
- Product and Component Assembly
- Defect Reduction
- 3D Vision Inspection
IOT and Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance (PdM) refers to the watching and surveillance of performance and the condition of equipment. This helps to reduce the number of failures in a manufacturing process. Predictive maintenance techniques are created to estimate when maintenance should be performed. Tasks are only done as needed. The main idea of predictive maintenance is to allow convenient scheduling of corrective maintenance, and to prevent unexpected equipment failures. Machine vision is vital in this sense as it allows a user to have autonomous views on machine processes and to see if they are failing.
Packaging inspection refers to when machine vision systems are used to see the overall contents of what is within a standard package and if there are components within the inside of a package that should not be there. This allows a company or person to toss or ride of defective packages before they are sent off to mass distribution channels.
The ability to read a barcode is also a machine vision process. Interpreting the image on a product in terms of a barcode allows for a product to have the ability to be specified in terms of its production number. Also, this can allow for a product to have a track record or data attached to its production.
Product and component assembly are essential when it comes to using machine vision. In order to automate the processes of production, one must have repeatability. Machine vision systems allow individuals to see what may be going wrong in component and product assembly. This then leads to the overall improvement of product. This means fewer defects are implemented within a system.
3D Vision reads characters in highly reflective environments such as medical device components. Robotic guidance is a large part of 3D vision inspection. 3D vision enables an application to locate a point of interest and establish an object’s 3D position with respect to an absolute coordinate system using multiple views.
The different applications within machine vision integrate quite well with metrology as a whole. Accuracy is of utmost importance to this field as we know. This type of technology allows for the automation of a variety of items and processes within metrology. All in all the technical integration of this into the sphere of metrology is still being explored and there is more of it to come.
The post What is Metrology Part 9: Machine Vision appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.
UTS reaches one-year milestone in alliance to revolutionize mining with 3D printing
Adafruit Weekly Editorial Round-Up: May 23rd – May 29th
ADAFRUIT WEEKLY EDITORIAL ROUND-UP
We’ve got so much happening here at Adafruit that it’s not always easy to keep up! Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Each week we’ll be posting a handy round-up of what we’ve been up to, ranging from learn guides to blog articles, videos, and more.
BLOG
Tiny Machine Learning on the Edge with TensorFlow Lite Running on SAMD51
Tiny Machine Learning on the Edge with TensorFlow Lite Running on SAMD51 (video and/or skip to the demo part at 7 min 28 secs). You’ve heard of machine learning (ML), but what is it? And do you have to buy specialty hardware to experiment? If you have some Adafruit hardware, you can build some Tiny ML projects today!
More BLOG:
Keeping with tradition, we covered quite a bit this past week. Here’s a kinda short nearing medium length list of highlights:
- Please keep in mind, Adafruit is not shipping orders 7/4! Be safe out there!
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B ???
- We celebrated National Week of Making June 21-27 and International Women in Engineering Day June 23.
- End of the month means we’re wrapping up our Immigrant Heritage and Pride coverage
- Ask an Engineer with special guest Naomi Ceder
- Did you hear – JOB! Full time web developer – Adafruit NYC!
- Teddy talked goTenna
- Ladyada on Embedded.fm ep 293: Skateboard Tricks!
Learn
1,900th GUIDE! Trash Panda 2: Garbage Day
Our 1,900th guide has landed in the Learn System! It’s John Park’s Trash Panda 2: Garbage Day and it’s lots of fun! You can make it with MakeCode Arcade, and mod and hack it all you like.
In Trash Panda 2: Garbage Day, you play as the suburban dweller just trying to get some sleep when the raccoons and cats decide its time to make noise and throw garbage our of the trash bins! You must try to stop them by shining your flashlight on them. But you can only play at night, so be sure that your PyGamer or PyBadge’s light sensor indicates it’s dark out!
More LEARN:
- Adafruit AirLift Shield – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor
- CircuitPython Choose Your Own Adventure
- PyBadge GamePad
- Tilt Controlled Marble Maze
- How to Hack NES ROMs to Add Your Own Sprites
- CircuitPython Powered AT Hand-Raiser
- Installing and Using the Windows Terminal Preview Edition
- Bounce – an accelerometer game in Arduino for PyGamer and PyBadge
Browse all that’s new in the Adafruit Learning System here!
Nano Dimension Ltd. to Release IoT Device for Testing Smart Products
Although 3D printing can produce spectacular innovation as it is today, users and manufacturers are constantly driven to add to the technology, propelling us further into the future—and providing us all with better tools. Smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) are often connected to 3D printing, and that trend continues as Nano Dimension Ltd. has manufactured the first 3D printed communication device for industrial companies and researchers to test smart products, along with prototypes.
Speed and ease in operation set this new device apart, created on the DragonFly Pro 3D Printer. It was then assembled and tested in less than a day; in fact, Nano Dimension states that it was ready to go within 18 hours—demonstrating speed in production that is a stunning 90 percent faster. Using conventional methods, this type of production would usually take around two weeks, at least.
The IoT device is operated by remote control and is smaller than a one-dollar coin, at 16 x 33 x 1.6mm. The concept was designed to help with routers in smarter homes, connecting in a more streamlined manner with kitchen appliances, electronics like TVs, air-conditioning thermostats, and more. The device could transcend much further, however, than just alerting homeowners to a milk supply that is running low in the fridge; essentially, its most basic form is that of a printed circuit board, but it could be helpful in much more high-level, complex design work with manufacturing of parts for autonomous cars.
“An ever-greater emphasis is being placed on smart cities, smart buildings, smart homes and smart products by industries and consumers alike. Our solution enables companies to speedily trial and finalize their prototypes in just one day without compromising on quality or performance. They no longer must wait over a fortnight to understand whether their smart device works or not. This ultimately increases product and cost efficiencies and reduces time to market, which means that the consumer can enjoy the benefits of these products faster than ever before,” states Amit Dror, CEO of Nano Dimension.
Their design team also expects the device to be available as both a transmitter and receiver—offering a two-way communication device to users. The Dragonfly Pro can make smaller and more efficient electronics and circuit boards. In their latest press release, Nano Dimensions details some of the other applications unique to this 3D printer, such as:
- The transceiver – for transmitting and communicating, in a two-way device
- The multilayer PCB torque sensor – to assist in creating sensors for almost any device
- The RF amplifier – amplifies signals for portable devices and other vehicles like drones and satellites
While Nano Dimensions expects this device to be ready for use for smart homes and other products soon, it is still in the qualification phase.
Undeniably, we are living in a smarter world, as technology progresses beyond our wildest dreams—and 3D printing has certainly had much to do with that. Allowing for infinite freedom in design, 3D printing is also a technology that integrates well with others, such as the Internet of Things—allowing for greater efficiency, expansion with electronics, and innovation in manufacturing. What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.
[Source / Images: Nano Dimension]
Adafruit Weekly Editorial Round-Up: April 14th – April 20th
ADAFRUIT WEEKLY EDITORIAL ROUND-UP
We’ve got so much happening here at Adafruit that it’s not always easy to keep up! Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Each week we’ll be posting a handy round-up of what we’ve been up to, ranging from learn guides to blog articles, videos, and more.
BLOG
Codecademy, in collaboration with Adafruit Industries, launches new course: “Learn Hardware Programming with CircuitPython”
More BLOG:
Keeping with tradition, we covered quite a bit this past week. Here’s a kinda short nearing medium length list of highlights:
- Particle at Adafruit interview – Zach Supalla & Ladyada
- Giraffe Pin – One of the coolest, smallest boards we’ve ever seen!
- From the Forums – a Star Trek replica desk build
- This week in biohacking Mikey Sklar covered Three DIY Photobioreactor Designs for Algae Growing
- Mike Barela discussed Reconstructing an out of print Commodore 4040 disk drive book in #VintageComputing
- We saw LEGO go full-on Python
- And the EETimes featured the LoRa Radio Bonnet
- Teddy talked the sustainability of open source software
- Cheers to Corie Barry, Best Buy’s new CEO
LEARN
Circuit Playground: G is for Ground
Ground is all around! Join Adabot and Ladyada as they find electrical connections to the earth in a wide variety of places.
More LEARN:
- Robotic Creatures
- PyPortal Tides Viewer
- Bluetooth Controlled NeoPixel Lightbox
- Pyportal Thingiverse Viewer
- AD8495 Analog Aoutput K-Type Thermocouple Amplifier
Browse all that’s new in the Adafruit Learning System here!
Adafruit Weekly Editorial Round-Up: March 24th – March 30th
ADAFRUIT WEEKLY EDITORIAL ROUND-UP
We’ve got so much happening here at Adafruit that it’s not always easy to keep up! Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Each week we’ll be posting a handy round-up of what we’ve been up to, ranging from learn guides to blog articles, videos, and more.
BLOG
Counterfeit glue, rat poison, and international trade #makerbusiness
Planet Money’s most recent episode (#900!) tells a roller-coaster ride of international intrigue and counterfeit manufacturing.
The episode is a lot of fun and takes a few interesting turns (especially for a show about a glue company), but it also does a good job highlighting how complex the trade network is, and how hard it is for U.S. companies to deal with Chinese counterfeits. Spoiler alert, the story ends well for ABRO, but not all companies are so fortunate.
More BLOG:
Keeping with tradition, we covered quite a bit this past week. Here’s a kinda short nearing medium length list of highlights:
- Trevor made a list of alllll the Adafruit apps!
- As usual, PT shared some excellent finds, like this illustrated tribute to each state’s most endangered wildlife and this USPS Forever 21 apparel!
- This week Make Barela talked Raster CRT Typography in #VintageComputing
- We also closed our Women’s History Month coverage. No worries though, you can scroll through our archives =)
- Check out MakerBuoy!
- Mikey Sklar ventured into the realm of caffeine biohacking
Learn
PyPortal NeoPixel Color Picker
This simple project adds a little color to your life with CircuitPython, PyPortal and NeoPixels. Add two NeoPixel strips to your PyPortal, and display colored buttons that you can touch to set the LED colors. Wave your hand over the PyPortal light sensor to switch between controlling each strip separately or both together.
More LEARN:
- PyPortal Astronauts in Space
- Tappy Robotic Hand
- PyPortal Oblique Strategies
- Currying in CircuitPython
- PyPortal Alarm Clock
- PyPortal Bitcoin Display
- Itertools for CircuitPython
- PyPortal Smart Thermometer with Analog Devices ADT7410, Adafruit IO and CircuitPython
- IoT Motion and Temperature Logger with the Analog Devices ADXL343 + ADT7410 Sensor FeatherWing and Adafruit IO
- Using the Slamtec RPLIDAR on a Raspberry Pi
Browse all that’s new in the Adafruit Learning System here!
Adafruit Weekly Editorial Round-Up: March 3rd – March 9th
ADAFRUIT WEEKLY EDITORIAL ROUND-UP
We’ve got so much happening here at Adafruit that it’s not always easy to keep up! Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Each week we’ll be posting a handy round-up of what we’ve been up to, ranging from learn guides to blog articles, videos, and more.
BLOG
Circuit Playground – Q is for Quartz
Adabot finds treasure in his rock collection – Quartz! Have a look inside a quartz watch and learn why quartz is so important for electronics.
More BLOG:
Keeping with tradition, we covered quite a bit this past week. Here’s a kinda short nearing medium length list of highlights:
- Women’s History Month is in full swing!
- John Park found this vintage knob cloning project
- One of our pick and place machines has recorded over 4,000,000 produced boards!
- Click here for this week’s dose of #VintageComputing from Mike Barela
- Couture Urbaine allows a glimpse into textile workers tasks
- This periodic table shows how we interact with each element
- ah! The Awesome Feather List!
- Chris sent in a nice Mail Bag message
Learn
Steven Universe Wearable, Fusable Gem
Get crafty and create a wearable glowing Gem that expresses your style and matches your favorite Steven Universe character. This is a fun and easy project that’s great for kids or beginners, or anyone who wants to add some easy bling to their cosplay.
Use MakeCode’s drag-and-drop code editor to customize the colors to match your favorite characters. Tilt the gem left or right to switch colors, and shake it to fuse the two gems and create a Fusion character gem. All Right!
More LEARN:
- Adafruit GPIO Expander Bonnet for Raspberry Pi
- PyPortal Case
- CRICKIT Exhibit Demo Board
- Circuit Playground Express Rocket Lamp
- PyPortal Twitter Follows Trophy
- PyPortal GitHub Stars Trophy
- PyPortal Reddit Stats Trophy
- PyPortal IoT Data Logger with Analog Devices ADT7410, Adafruit IO and CircuitPython
Browse all that’s new in the Adafruit Learning System here!
Alexa Enabled Light Switch #iot #Alexa #3DPrinting
Great project video with thorough details sent in by Alex. They write:
Using a NodeMCU, a micro servo, and 3D printing, I created an Alexa enabled
light switch that can be used to turn any “dumb” light switch into a “smart”
device, without needing to modify the wiring in your home. The project runs
off of a pack of AA batteries and is compatible with any device that
integrates Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. Code and 3D print files are
available in the project’s video description. This is a fun maker project
to get people into DIY home automation, and is good for integrating home
automation into older homes where rewiring light switches, etc. may not be
possible or difficult.
Shared by Super Make Something on YouTube