Helpful Build Tips
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SendCutSend can manufacture parts directly from the provided .DXF file. Their online quoting system lets you upload the file, choose the specified material and thickness, add any required finishing or secondary operations, and place the order online. SendCutSend accepts DXF files (provided on the Download page) directly for instant quoting.
Once you have the part files for your order, follow the step by step guide on the SCS website here. Specifications for your part will be listed on the download page. -
JLCPCB can manufacture and assemble the PCB directly from the files provided on the Download page. For an assembled board, upload the provided Gerber .zip, then enable PCB Assembly and upload the accompanying BOM and Pick & Place/CPL files. JLCPCB uses the BOM to identify which components to install and the Pick & Place file to determine each component’s location and orientation. After processing the files, review the automatically matched components and the placement preview before placing the order.
Once you have downloaded the provided Gerber, BOM, and Pick & Place files, follow JLCPCB’s step-by-step PCB assembly ordering guide here. Specifications for the PCB and any project-specific ordering notes will be listed on the Download page.
You can also use other PCB manufacturers like PCBWay. JLC is provided as an example and is usually cheaper than alternative providers.
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The provided firmware can be uploaded to the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE. After installing Arduino IDE, add Espressif’s ESP32 board support, connect the ESP32 to your computer with a USB data cable, and select ESP32 Dev Module as the board. Open the provided .ino firmware file from the Download page, select the correct COM/serial port, then click Upload to compile and flash the firmware to the board.
Once you have downloaded the provided firmware, follow the Espressif/Arduino ESP32 setup and upload instructions here. Use ESP32 Dev Module as the board type.
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If your PCB plugs into a Raspberry Pi, you’ll need to flash an image onto the Pi containing the code for both the Pi and the Laboratory Device. The image file to do this is included on the Downloads page. You’ll need a microSD card plugged into your computer to flash the image.
Raspberry Pi Imager can write the provided system image directly to the microSD card used by the Raspberry Pi. Download the provided .tar.gz archive from the Download page and extract it to obtain the included .img file. Install and open Raspberry Pi Imager, select the appropriate Raspberry Pi model you have, then choose Use Custom under the operating-system selection and select the extracted .img file. Choose the correct microSD card as the storage device and select Write. Raspberry Pi Imager will erase the selected card, write the image, and verify it when finished.
Once the image is written, you can remove the SD card and plug it into the Raspberry Pi, completing the process.
Order parts, upload software, flash firmware, etc.