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This one's a 3 minute read

Outernet

things I've been up to

My 'desktop' CNC router has been slowly going through a series of upgrades or at least converting existing features into their modern equivalent. The latest of which was the camera.

Your mind might jump to a timelapse setup but the camera on this machine is offset from the toolhead but still pointing down at the bed. If you know the offset from the cutter to the camera, you can use if to set the origin of the cut - for example, you can accurately centre your cut on your material - down to sub-millimetre accuracy.

The original was an industrial uEye camera which, while robust, isn't easy to integrate with a modern system. Fortunately the lens it was paired to is a C mount and so fits the RaspPi HQ camera which, paired with the ArduCam USB adapter gave me a drop in solution for a USB webcam.

The only issue... the LED ring around the lens is setup for a B&W camera meaning lots of red light - and that's way I jumped into making a custom PCB.

I've never made a PCB before but this seemed like a perfect project. Simple electronics but it needs a custom fit to go on the machine. I'll spare you the details but despite a wonky design, a lot of confusion and not picking the right size pads for the resistors... I had a design that PCBWay accepted and what's more, worked!

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: custom shaped lights for machinery, cosplay or art pieces!

Internet

Spiffing things to focus on and grab your attention

Continuing the custom light trend, I really enjoyed Matt Gray's video of his Glowing Dinosaur spike hoodie (interestingly also sponsored by PCBWay).

There are a few more maker podcasts to check out: Setting Up Shoppe and No1 Crude Mistakes.

Othernet

Tools, recommendation and tips

This week I cooked a 6kg brisket on my offset smoker, made easier by improving the chimney on the cooker. The twist? I used a 3D printed part to connect the metal parts - and it stood up to the heat! I explain more in this video but the really useful tool for this project was a Thermal Imaging Camera for your phone.

While it's still expensive (although the current discount it does help), it's cheaper than a dedicated device and unlike most options, produces smooth video. I've used mine to look for cold and hot spots in the house, sources of heat in machines that need cooling and to check how evenly ovens heat.

As always, the link is an Amazon Affiliate link so if you do buy something then some of Amazon's profit gets taken from them and given to me, at no cost to you!