Something Else

[Fanie]

For you with pick-n-place machines.
The cover tape needs torn off from the component strip to expose the next component to be placed.
If the cover tape is too short, you either have to waste some components by pulling the cover tape off long enough, or simply extend the cover tape and you don't waste components.
There are such tools available to tape the extension cover tape to the reel's cover tape, but are expensive (in my opinion) and is a stupid process, looks very fumbly.

There is a very easy way to join the cover tape.
I use a bag sealer, inexpensive and easy to use.

There is one small trick or the cover tapes won't join.
You have to use the upper side of the reel tape on the extension tape's upper side.
The bottoms have glue and often fine paper that tears off, and then plastics won't join.
You have to place the clean plastic on the clean plastic.

If you zoom in you can see the joints in the tape. I do two joints and cut any excess off.  As strong as the tape.

[Fanie]

I have one of these.  I only run it at 75% speed otherwise it goes (feels) out of control fast.

It uses cameras to align view the board position and the components orientation and shows it on the screen too.
I place large chips like the ESP's in the front squares and it picks it up from there.  By telling the machine how large the chips are, it adjusts the vacuum to pick the chip up and I slow the placement down or it will move too fast and drop the chip.  The vacuum used is amazingly efficient, the pump runs every now and then for a short duration.

There are video's on the tube if you want to see it work.  ZB3245TSS, the baby model.
https://youtu.be/FhRlepCc_C0  I suspect the machine is set at about 50% speed and he places the ESP's at the end.  He uses one small nozzle and one large.
Mine picks up two components at a time and place them, like this one https://youtu.be/iQwhKeQKhRU.
You can tell it which nozzle to use or not for which components.

The Chinese even now after so long enquire once in a while that all is well.  Excellent service.

I named the machine Rina because Rina assembles the boards
Besides feeding me coffee.

[Fanie]

Creality is bringing out a new 3D printer, the Klitech K3.
It features nozzle swaps under 5 seconds and zero material waste allowing multi-colour printing with 4 nozzles.

[Fanie]

Cannot do without 3D printing any more, and cannot remember how we managed to get along without it !

This poor kettle gets boiled at least eight times a day, runs off 220V DC solar.
For those too busy with other things than watching the kettle coming to a boil, I added this upside down cone to funnel the steam up past an 18B20.  It alarm a few times and switches off when the sensor reaches 45oC.  The picture shows it is currently at 20oC.
The skirt on the kettle decrease the time  to boil, making it more efficient.

[Fanie]

I decided to revive the hybrid water garden I had before.
3D printing made it possible to print proper working parts for it.  The off the shelf baskets I used before did not work properly and had all kinds of problems.

The controller using the 16F17146.  I will later wall-mount it as it nears completion.
The programmer-to-go feature makes it easy to re-program each time I make changes.
The display indicate it is running for 4 more minutes before the pump switches off.
The water is circulated twice per day for an hour.

[ken_k]

Cannot do without 3D printing any more, and cannot remember how we managed to get along without it !

I find my 3D printer one of the handiest items ever purchased so I concur with your statement. My 3D printer has printed for almost 400 hours and is not a year old. It looks like you printed a terminal block as part of the enclosure, a very good idea. It is great to build projects and not drill or tap a single hole even some text can be included.

[Fanie]

Of course, all the enclosure get text on them.
For the terminals I print a slot where the nut press in and the screw secures it from the top.
PLA tends to loosen over time, but PETG seems to hold up very well.
Shown is the solar regulator enclosure, the hybrid water garden controller (from cad) and a product I do for a client.
My printer runs almost 24/7, and have printed thousands of items.
Almost all lids snap in place, not even screws to tighten.

[Fanie]

Some more things I have printed.
The headlight is awesome, it runs many hours off a 5Ah Li battery, and can be charged from 12V or USBC.
It has two cob light strips with heatsinks at the back and brightness adjustment.  I don't even bother to use the house lights any more.  The straps are TPU which is extremely strong.  The two wires runs in the overhead slots, and the light can tilt to where it is suitable.  Should have had these when we went sea fishing...
A simple phone stand, the cavity allows the sound to play through and almost double the audio volume when it reflects off the table.  The phone also leans at a nice angle for video calls.
A 12V socket, the Chinese ones suck, with a cover so you cannot put a metal object (your new screw driver) on the power...
And the terminals I make for use for solar.  I make them from single to the 8-way in the pictures.  They can screw in place or tied to something using cable ties and connections are on copper.  You don't get proper terminals for solar, not what I have seen.