3D printing small parts or models with narrow contact areas often leads to adhesion issues. Warping, curling, or outright detaching from the build plate are common problems, especially when printing with materials like ABS. One proven solution is the use of “mouse ears”, a simple yet highly effective adhesion aid. What are mouse ears? Mouse… Continue reading Using Mouse Ears in 3D Printing with OrcaSlicer
Category: Robotics
Constructing a Fritzing part using Inkspace
Fritzing uses SVG graphics for the visual representation of parts (breadboard, schematic, PCB views). Inkscape is a popular open-source vector editor you can use to create and edit these SVG files. Steps to create a Fritzing part graphic in Inkscape Plan your part Determine the views you need: Breadboard view: realistic visual appearance. Schematic view:… Continue reading Constructing a Fritzing part using Inkspace
Tactile Sensors (GelSight and e-Flesh)
Tactile sensors, small but critical components in robotics, enable robots to sense touch, pressure, and surface properties, mimicking human skin. Recent 2025 advancements, such as GelSight Svelte and e-Flesh, have revolutionized robotic manipulation by providing high-resolution, flexible, and affordable tactile sensing. Key Features High-Resolution Sensing: GelSight Svelte uses camera-based technology to capture detailed surface textures… Continue reading Tactile Sensors (GelSight and e-Flesh)
L293D Motor Driver module
L293D Motor Driver: In-Depth Explanation The L293D motor driver is a widely used integrated circuit (IC) designed to control the direction and speed of DC motors and stepper motors. It is particularly popular in robotics, automation, and DIY electronics projects due to its ease of use and versatility. 1. Detailed Features of L293D Dual H-Bridge… Continue reading L293D Motor Driver module
Comprehensive Documentation for KiKit Panelization in KiCAD
KiKit is a powerful tool designed to facilitate the panelization of PCBs in KiCAD, streamlining the manufacturing process. Below is a structured overview of its documentation, focusing on panelization. 1. Introduction to KiKit KiKit is an automation tool that integrates with KiCAD to assist in the panelization of PCBs. It allows users to create panels… Continue reading Comprehensive Documentation for KiKit Panelization in KiCAD
Panelising PCB in Kicad
Panelizing a PCB in KiCad involves arranging multiple copies of a PCB design on a single panel for efficient manufacturing and assembly. Below is a concise, step-by-step guide to panelizing a PCB in KiCad, based on common methods and tools. Note that KiCad does not have a native panelization tool, so manual methods or third-party… Continue reading Panelising PCB in Kicad
Air Vents in molding design
1. Purpose of Air Vents Allow trapped air and gases to escape from the mold cavity during the injection or casting process. Prevents defects such as voids, burn marks, and short shots. 2. Improved Material Flow Helps the molten material (plastic or metal) fill the mold completely and uniformly. Reduces flow resistance, allowing for better… Continue reading Air Vents in molding design
GPIO Pin Initialization in STM32F407VE Using Memory-Mapped Registers using program
This knowledge base article provides a detailed explanation and example for initializing GPIO pins on the STM32F407VE microcontroller by directly manipulating hardware registers via their addresses. This is fundamental for embedded C developers who require low-level control over the hardware for custom applications. Overview: The STM32F407VE microcontroller from STMicroelectronics features multiple general-purpose input/output (GPIO) ports having… Continue reading GPIO Pin Initialization in STM32F407VE Using Memory-Mapped Registers using program
Stress Concentrations: How to Identify and Reduce Them in Your Designs
Stress concentrations are localized areas within a component where stress is significantly higher than the surrounding region. These typically occur near geometric discontinuities such as sharp corners, holes, notches, grooves, keyways, or sudden changes in cross-section. If not addressed, stress concentrations can lead to premature failure through cracking or fatigue, even when the average stress… Continue reading Stress Concentrations: How to Identify and Reduce Them in Your Designs
Draft Angles in Injection Moulding
Draft angles are slight tapers applied to the vertical walls of a part design in injection moulding. They are essential for ensuring that the part can be easily ejected from the mould without damaging the mould or the part itself. A typical draft angle ranges from 1° to 3°, but this may vary depending on… Continue reading Draft Angles in Injection Moulding