Garrison Regiment PCB Badge From Attack on Titan
Introduction: Garrison Regiment PCB Badge From Attack on Titan
Hey Everyone what's up!
So this is my Garrison Regiment-themed PCB Badge from Attack on titan. Garrison Regiment is one of the three Regiments in attack on titan anime that protects and maintains order within the Walls.
The goal for making this badge was simple, I wanted to make some kind of AOT-inspired project that I could keep in my Project collection.
I also prepared two more Badges from AOT which were themed after the other two remaining divisions which are scouts and military police.
https://www.instructables.com/Wings-of-Freedom-PCB...
https://www.instructables.com/Attack-on-Titan-Mili...
Supplies
These were the things I used in this Badge Project-
* Custom PCB (which was provided by PCBWAY)
* Resistor 10K 0603 Package x 1
* Resistor 2R 1206 Package x 1
* Attiny13A SOIC8 x 1
* SMD LEDs 0603 Package x 15 (Color will be RED)
* Arduino for Programming the Attiny13A
* Solder paste
* Coin Cell holder
* CR2032 Coin cell
* Slide switch
* Hotplate reflow
Step 1: Why Choose PCB, Why Not 3D Printing?
My reason for choosing PCBs as a base for this project was also pretty simple if we are making some kind of illuminating device that is meant to be a wearable thing, Using a 3D Printed body with electronics adds too much weight to the whole project and its easier to lay down everything on a PCB and use it as a whole thing instead of making an enclosure for it.
Step 2: PCB Designing Process and Schematic
To prepare this Garrison badge, I first had to find a black and white image of the badge and then convert it from any format into BMP.
BMP because I will be using my OrCad PCB Suite which only imports images in BMP format, so after converting the image into BMP, I uploaded it into my Cad suite as a TOP Silkscreen layer.
Now what I want to do here is, I will be adding a few 0603 package LEDs from the backside to illuminate the rose shape in front.
To transfer the Glow of LEDs from the backside to the front side, I used one of my classic tricks which are to remove solder mask from the top and bottom side and solder LEDs in an inverted position so their glow will face the FR4 board, we can see the glow from the Front side.
Step 3: Soldermask Opening
To do that, I had to manually fill each area of the Rose pattern which is on the front side with an irregular shape of Soldermask Top openings.
I did the same on Soldermask Bottom but instead of making the Soldermask Openings of each rose area, I made a huge opening as this side won't be visible from the Top, we are making this opening to let the light from LEDs get past the FR4 Board. 982
By doing this, we will be able to see illuminated Rose from the front side without adding any components on TOP Side.
Step 4: SCHEMATIC
To Drive all the 15 LEDs, I use an N Channel SMD Mosfet which is AO3400, its gate is connected with an Attny13A.
We use the Attiny13 to control the gate of mosfet to fade or blink the LEDs.
the schematic of this project is attached above.
Step 5: Additional Stuff
I've made this designed in such a way that if we dont want to add any Blink or fade sequence through using Attiny, we can skip the MCU and Mosfet by shorting R6 and this will connect LEDs directly with the Coin Cell holder.
By Shorting R7, we can connect this setup with Attiny and mosfet.
I believe badge projects should be simple as possible so anyone can make them on their first try which is the whole point of making this project. Adding Functions like glow and fade or multiple LEDs will increase the aesthetics more but using an ESP12F or Higher MCU for a simple blinky board seems very overkill. An Attiny85 can be used here as an Alternative as Attiny13A isn't powerful enough for driving RGB Neopixel LEDs.
Step 6: Getting PCBs From PCBWAY
After Finalizing the PCB, I sent the Gerber data to PCBWAY for samples.
I choose RED Soldermask for this project, this was my first time getting RED soldermask PCB from PCBWAY and the quality of PCBs was just great.
Been using their service for a while and I have to say, it's pretty decent for getting started. 472