Gundam Themed PCB Badge
Introduction: Gundam Themed PCB Badge
Hey Guys and what's up.
So this is yet another of my badge Project that is themed after the popular GUNDAM Model RX78, if you dont know what a Gundam is, its basically a Japanese mecha series that inspired all modern Mecha stuff (Transformers, Voltron, etc)
This project is made as a soldering kit for a few of my students.
I'm currently teaching a few kids about basic electronics and getting started stuff and for them, I prepared this super simple Flasinh LED Badge or Brooch that doesnt have any Microcontroller or any IC for controlling the Blinking of LEDs.
Instead, I'm using four RGB 5mm LEDs that have an internal chip for controlling the LED color.
This is essentially a Level 1 Soldering Kit made for people who are getting started in electronics and it's their first week.
Supplies
Following are the Materials used in this built-
* Custom PCB
* RGB LED 5mm THT x 4
* CR2032 Coin cell SMD Holder
* CR2032 Coin cell
* 1.8Ohms 1W Resistor
* Brooch Pin
Step 1: Schematic and PCB Design
Here's the schematic that I used in this Brooch and as you can observe, it's pretty simple and super minimal.
We have four LEDs connected with a Battery which is in this case a coin cell holder and there's a resistor to limit current.
I prepared this badge for kids who are getting started with soldering and basic electronics, so that's why I used this minimal board for teaching them crucial soldering skills.
As for the LEVEL 2 or LEVEL 3 badges, I'm planning to use two of my old projects which are these.
Ghost Kit
Eren Yeager Kit
Because this is made for kids, I prepared this with a twist.
I first searched for a Gundam RX78 Head in black and white and found a neat-looking head image.
I converted the image from JPG to BMP as the PCB Cad software that I'm using only imports stuff in BMP format and imported the Image as Silkscreen TOP.
I place all the LEDs near the Eyes and the two holes on the Bottom layer, TOP Layer only contains graphics.
I opened the Eyes and two-hole soldermask from both the TOP layer and Bottom layer so the LED Glow will be visible from the TOP side.
Step 2: Getting PCBs From SEEED Studio
After finalizing the PCB and generating its Gerber data, I send it to SEEED STUDIO for samples.
Ordered PCBs in RED Soldermask with white silkscreen.
I received PCBs in a week and their quality was super good considering the rate which was also pretty low.
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Step 3: Scraping the Soldermask Layer in Front of the LED
Here's a mistake I made in the PCB Design.
I forgot to add Soldermask Area in two spots that open the soldermask on the bottom side of the PCB.
This was not a problem as I used a paper cutter to scrape the RED soldermask from two spots.
Step 4: Preparing LEDs for Soldering
Now before starting the PCB Assembly, we first prepare the LEDs for soldering.
Let me explain a little more.
I'm using THT 5mm LEDs in this project, each of these LEDs has RGB inside with a chip that changes the color and does some LED Lighting effects and these effects are non-controllable, unlike WS2812B Addressable LEDs.
Gundam PCB that I made doesnt have THT LED Pads, instead, I added Two SMD Pads for soldering LED's Anode and cathode but to do that we first have to BEND Both of the LED's legs at a 90° Angle, then I again BEND the leg of LED by leaving some space so we can place it on PCB and solder the legs easily.
Through this Bending process, we can solder LEDs more easily to the Pads as they get more closer to the surface.
At last, I trimmed down the long Legs of the LED. 982