DorkbotPDX people doing strange things with electricity

Updating my earlier Extreme Surface Mount Soldering Instructable, and based on some great work by Scott Dixon, I've posted a new Instructable. Check it out here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Closing-the-Loop-on-Surface-Mount-Soldering/

Included are complete instructions for modifying the sensor and all the software for control. This is a significant improvement to the old method. Enjoy!

Lots of folks have asked about where to get solder paste for surface mount work (after the workshop). Here's that info for reference.

Digikey Solder paste part numbers: > SMD291SNL-ND 5cc Tube $14.25 > SMD291SNL10-ND 10cc Tube $20.93

Local Vendor: General Tool on NW Nicolai This was reported in Blabber by Richard Harding back on 10/16/09. I haven't tried them myself, but here's what Richard had to say: quote:

Thanks to all who attend the Workshop! Watching the group go from shocked amazement at seeing the tiny parts placed with tweezers to the point where everyone built a board themselves in just a few hours was both fun and exciting for me. Hopefully, those experiencing the process had as much fun. The hot plate process worked great and the solder paste silkscreens Scott made on the Tech Shop laser were outstanding.

Ten more Dorkbots are off and running with Surface Mount Technology!

Working with tiny Surface Mount parts is challenging but can be done in the comfort of your own home. With a bit of effort, and a lot of experimentation, I've figured out one way to do this successfully. You can check out my process here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Extreme_Surface_Mount_Soldering/

I've just posted a tutorial on this subject at AVR Freaks / Forums / Tutorials. This was a fall-out from the TV Circles / Codosome stuff that Ward and I did.

If you haven't used AVR Studio for gcc program debug, it's worth a look. You can save a lot of debug time and avoid a lot of frustration using the simulator. AVR Studio uses the WinAVR/gcc tool chain for C projects. Very nice!

- jim larson (aka Doctek)