Going to do tutoring this semester - C and C++.  If you're looking at this for that reason, hello!  E-mail is pretty self explanatory, stan AT stansanders DOT com.


Projects update:

CNC MILL

Stepper driver boards are all done in CAD, and parts are all in.  After some issues with the PCB mill, ended up not getting those done.  May end up just ordering them from a board house at this point.


ROBOT ARM:

Just started ET 202 - Intermediate Robotics.  Instead of building the Lynx Motion arm kit, I'm engineering my own.  If my math is right, the arm should be able to lift/push with 2lbs of force (compared to a measly 1/4lb for the Lynx arm).

STM32 DESIGN CHALLENGE:

Judges reviewed my entry and have advanced me to Stage II - Prototyping.  Should be receiving an STM32 Discovery dev kit shortly.  Uses an Arm Cortex M3 - very cool!  My entry is a self-contained CNC controller box which will function similar to certain photo printers.  User will insert a memory card with their gcode on it, and run it.  No muss no fuss no linux.  Unit will use the M3 for the brain to interpret gcode, handle a basic UI (lcd, few buttons) for changing machine calibration and such.  Will use my DRV8811-based stepper driver boards inside, so this unit should handle small machines just fine (up to 2 amps per stepper phase). 

That's all for now.