Hey folks, let’s get to it!

The Bits

• Today I received an updated version of the PCB, this is actually the 4th design of the board (2/3 were not fabricated):

• This version fixed a few different issues with the previous board. Most importantly, two swapped traces on the RFID connection, missing mounting holes and proper screw terminals for the 5v/14v outputs.

• I will begin wiring up this new version tomorrow and testing over the next couple of days. Although this will give us a good idea of how everything is working, there is yet another revision currently in fab. This new revision adds over-voltage protection on the stepper’s power pin, fault detection for if/when the stepper driver overheats, wider traces for the power rails, fixes alignment on some JST-XH connections, provides full labeling for the PI pin out, and adds an onboard led for status. I have also lowered the motor supply voltage from 14v to 12v. These final updates make the PCB much more robust and efficient.

• Although there will be additional testing required when the next version lands, the board is very similar to the ones currently in hand, so it will be a fairly quick check of the new additions. I expect these boards to be in my hands on Thursday or Friday of this week. Here are some pics/renders of the board from Eagle and Fusion:

Other Bits:

• I am currently rewriting the main Arduino runtime to utilize the updated DRV8825 stepper drivers. This will be completed and hit the Github tomorrow or Wednesday.

• By this weekend I will be in a good position to start discussing the shipping outlook again. This will be included in Sunday’s update.

• I have an s-ton of emails reply to. They are in progress and I hope to have them all completed soon.

• I will have a quickie going out on Friday to discuss how PCB testing went and to confirm the delivery of the next revision.

Ok, that is all for now. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and I look forward to sharing more news on Friday and Sunday. Cheers!