Engineering learning log!

[Clanscorpia]

So as many of you know, I really want to be an Electrical Engineer. Because of this forum I can learn a lot more than I used to be able to so my knowledge has been kickstarted and over the summer I'm going to try to do these projects and post my results and progress here! The projects are likely to be completed in this order. Some of these projects will take a lot of time (2, and 4) while others will not (1 and 3). I'll definitely be adding more as time goes on and I have many ideas. If you guys have any feedback on the projects or you want to contribute, hit me up here. Thanks for the support! Not all of these projects will be about engineering though, some will be about other techy things Im doing like techifiying my garage work area and painting GPUs and my PC.

 

Project 1: 8 bit Minecraft Adder

Project 2: Eclipse Game Engine I - 

Project 3. Full robot with Arduino and Littlebits

Project 4: Pi Smartwatch running Android

Project 5: Add tons of new features to garage setup

Project 6: ITX garage build

Project 7: Custom painted GPU's

[Clanscorpia]

Update 1: Minecraft 8 bit adder

So I got back into the game after learning you can make logic gates in it. Right now, I'm working on building the most compact Full Adder using full gates. Here is a pic. I want to make this smaller and more compact so I can put 8 together more easily

 

[Guest]

"Eye of Minds" is a good book js, Would recommend reading it 

[Clanscorpia]

1 minute ago, Ronnie76 said:

"Eye of Minds" is a good book js, Would recommend reading it 

Can't wait to get the third one. The end of the second one was so cliff hangery. If you've read it I'm guessing you can guess what the game would be about if it's based on programming

[Squish4058]

Posting this here to follow this.  I will be reading a few books on stuff covered in year 2 and above and using a rasberry Pi to setup WOL for my desktop PC and maybe something else with it too

[Clanscorpia]

Update 2: Custom mouse specs decisions. 

I've decided on a few things about the mouse. It will use a Pixart PMW3320DB-TYDU, be shaped similar to the MX Master and with be Matte Black with some green highlights, use a USB Host Controller IC - DIP28 for the controller. I have yet to decide on the switches as I want semi decent ones but not super expensive like Omron's. I'm also going to have to get a scroll wheel from an old mouse as I can't find any online. 

 

The changes to the MX Master design will be no DPI leds or shifters, no extra button, flat bottom, rounded thumb rest, and less steep of a curve. This is just a test one so it won't be as refined as the one I want to build for myself which with be white and black, basically a copy of the Master with a rounded thumb rest, white LED's, flat bottom, and the sensor from the g502

[Clanscorpia]

Update 3: More Adder progress

I finally got a design that is compact and can easily move the Carry Output to the next Adder. It's is almost half as big as my first design and only uses 1 repeater instead of like 5. Now to connect 8 of them! Then project 1 will be complete!

 

[MoonlightSylv]

Raspberry Pi smartwatch... I need a Pi.  

[Clanscorpia]

1 minute ago, ShadowTechXTS said:

Raspberry Pi smartwatch... I need a Pi.  

 I think it's going to be a fun project. My friend has a moto 360 and my goal is to make a better smartwatch. It'll run Android albeit much faster and be able to use linux so I'll have a full computer on my wrist. Only worry for me is heat. I hear the Pi 3 gets hot

[Clanscorpia]

10 minutes ago, ShadowTechXTS said:

Raspberry Pi smartwatch... I need a Pi.  

This is the goal ish:

[MoonlightSylv]

1 minute ago, Clanscorpia said:

This is the goal ish:

That looks cool.

[Clanscorpia]

Sadly, I had to remove the custom mouse project. After doing my research, I learned that getting the parts needed would cost hundreds because I'd be buying so few. I guess I shall advance projects them  Pi Smartwatch should be done even sooner. And Adder update. Optifine broke my Minecraft so I have to reinstall it.. again.

[Clanscorpia]

Update 5 - Adder completed!

While it may not look the prettiest, or be the fastest to function, it certainly works and can add 2 numbers up to a product of 255! I learned a ton from this including how not to break your Minecraft  It was super fun and difficult to build but research and WorldEdit made me finish  Here are a few pics of the completed Adder:

I'll also be making a Minecraft server hosting the adder for tonight or on request after 3:30 EST so PM me if you want to join. 

[Clanscorpia]

Just a notice - Ill be starting my Robot tomorrow as I have some free time and I've decided instead of making a VR game (Haven't got a headset or a PC to run it :p) Im thinking about making a small test game that completely focuses on combat. I hate combat mechanics and maybe if I make this and send it to some companies they might take notice   

[BuckGup]

Not to be rude but the robotics is very helpful but I fail to see how minecraft helps with knowing ohms law.

[Clanscorpia]

2 minutes ago, SamStrecker said:

Not to be rude but the robotics is very helpful but I fail to see how minecraft helps with knowing ohms law.

It was for logic gates. I have neither the time nor the money to build 16 XOR gates but I can make them in 10 seconds for free in minecraft

[Clanscorpia]

UPDATE: Ill be making a blog instead from @Godlygamer23 recommendation! Here's the link! 

 

[Hackentosher]

On 6/23/2016 at 11:03 PM, Clanscorpia said:

 The changes to the MX Master design will be no DPI leds or shifters, no extra button, flat bottom, rounded thumb rest, and less steep of a curve.  

Why don't you make something different and unique? That's a more valuable learning experience if that's what you're after. Designing a case was one of the best things I could've done to improve my skills in CAD, splitting it into 3d printable parts that can fit together perfectly, an even greater challenge. The point is, dont try to create something someone else already has. 

[Clanscorpia]

3 minutes ago, Hackentosher said:

Why don't you make something different and unique? That's a more valuable learning experience if that's what you're after. Designing a case was one of the best things I could've done to improve my skills in CAD, splitting it into 3d printable parts that can fit together perfectly, an even greater challenge. The point is, dont try to create something someone else already has. 

I've moved away from building a mouse because of how hard the components are to find but I think that a case would be a great idea! I'll add that to my blog!

[Hackentosher]

1 minute ago, Clanscorpia said:

I've moved away from building a mouse because of how hard the components are to find but I think that a case would be a great idea! I'll add that to my blog!

What, a case or your own mouse? It sounds like you have some broader interests, and lots of ideas. Kinda like myself and @iamdarkyoshi. He has more unfinished projects than he knows what to do with. 

[Clanscorpia]

1 minute ago, Hackentosher said:

What, a case or your own mouse? It sounds like you have some broader interests, and lots of ideas. Kinda like myself and @iamdarkyoshi. He has more unfinished projects than he knows what to do with. 

I'm going to add the case. I have so many ideas but no time (Or money ). My grandpa is an electrician and I hope that maybe he can give me some tips. I really want to make that FM transmitter now. Damn that gives me another idea. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[Hackentosher]

2 minutes ago, Clanscorpia said:

I'm going to add the case. I have so many ideas but no time (Or money ). My grandpa is an electrician and I hope that maybe he can give me some tips. I really want to make that FM transmitter now. Damn that gives me another idea. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuu

You gotta prioritize, m8. Pick what you really want, what you really want to work on, then start and finish that project. 

[Clanscorpia]

1 minute ago, Hackentosher said:

You gotta prioritize, m8. Pick what you really want, what you really want to work on, then start and finish that project. 

I think Im going to go for the FM transmitter first. Should cost maybe 10 dollars. 

[Hackentosher]

1 minute ago, Clanscorpia said:

I think Im going to go for the FM transmitter first. Should cost maybe 10 dollars. 

Make sure it doesn't exceed 25mw of transmission power unless you have a HAM license. I mean, it's not the biggest deal, but still. 

[Clanscorpia]

1 minute ago, Hackentosher said:

Make sure it doesn't exceed 25mw of transmission power unless you have a HAM license. I mean, it's not the biggest deal, but still. 

The one Im planning on making transmits 30 m. I dont think the government will care. They probably would also turn their heads laughing if they saw who was making the interference