Hey guys.
Quick update on the project.
I have found multiple small issues which I have fixed on the prototype board. I managed to get it connecting with the original controller board
and we are also working on making a rasp pi controller version which will allow controlling more than 3 boards on the same machine.
I will make the changes on the design and update the parts list and will order a fully assembled board this time, as it took me 20 hours
to manually place the parts (1465 parts) on the board and a lot more to inspect and test everything.
It will take another 2-3 weeks to get the new prototype board automatically assembled to remove the error of bad soldering or applying uneven
heat to the chips.
I have made a workflow for servicing these boards using a DIY reflow oven with my arduino controller and will test this further on the future boards.
The main problem I faced so far was that I was using chips from other boards as I did not wanted to distroy any new chips, and some of those
were bad from the begining and as you know, the chain will stop working if a chips is bad, and there's no easy way to know which chip doesn't work.
I will have to develop a testing gear to know which chip is bad or good. If there's someone with more knowledge about IC's, drop me a message, I would
love to have a chat about how to debug these things.
Lot's of things to take care of, but I am optimistic that this will work and there's soo much room for improvement on these and will begin working
on that after the first batch. We already planed some changes to the cooling system, looking into using water blocks instead of air cooling, see
some design pictures attached.
https://ibb.co/fYCN2chttps://ibb.co/kSBFNchttps://ibb.co/foSBvxThe truth is that I intended finishing this project without asking for money from the comunity, but it took me already 2 months to make the design
and I think that it will take another 30-40 days for a finished product including the extra features for efficiency.
I am thinking to setup a crowdfunding campaign to help pushing through with this and enable me to get the first batch of 50 boards made.
I will keep you updated.