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[on:]

Hi There
I guess everyone already saw the gorgeous Illuminato board made by inthebitz.


He talked about a guy named Chris Ladden, but I can't find any reference to his work.

Maybe you saw the boards shaped like lightnings made by sparkfun for a workshop they had at an old old Maker Faire ? Can't find the picture.

There's this translucent PCB that I like too :


And of course, the Lilypad :


What I'm looking for is any ressource about PCB visual design and such.
Even only inspirationnal pictures ^^

Go on and post !

[Reply #1 on:]

Nice Chip !

TAOS TSL230R Light Intensity to Frequency IC
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8940

[Reply #2 on:]

Found It !



http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=flame+kit&x=0&y=0&search_section=products

[Reply #3 on:]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/svofski/3145837238/

Don't really understand what this is

http://www.flickr.com/photos/americalinx-company/2207848066/

[Reply #4 on:]

You may be interested in the PCB Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/pcb/

[Reply #5 on:]

Just a few thoughts...

The translucent PCB from Make magazine is most likely a thin fibreglass PCB that's been wetted with water, making it translucent -- there's not much copper, no soldermask and no silkscreen layer.

The completely transparent block with all that internal structure looks to me like a fluid logic circuit.  That is, a logic circuit (AND, OR, NOT) implemented not with electrical signals but with fluid pressure, either air, water or hydraulic fluid.  I wonder how it's made?  Some variant of the lost-wax process (investment casting)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluidics

As for PCBs, take a look at Flickr's Copper Farm pool: http://www.flickr.com/groups/circuitfarm/

If you like round PCBs, have a look at HWYDD: http://interactive-matter.org/2008/10/how-was-your-day-darling/

And for some of my own PCBs, take a look at my Flickr sets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/anachrocomputer/sets/72157607701477131/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anachrocomputer/sets/72157607180910289/


(http://www.flickr.com/photos/anachrocomputer/2910085966)

[Reply #6 on:]

Melka. Your second picture is of a MEMS device, a lab on a chip. the device is a form of plastic and the pattern describes a network of microfluidic channels used for transport and mixing of fluid. There are some good applications for these devices in bio-MEMS, as a form of blood seperation and using more exotic techniques whcih use the polarisability of different cell types at certian frequencies to identify errant cells quickly.

[Reply #7 on:]

My bigger issue is enclosure aesthetics.  I can't get my finished projects to look good.

[Reply #8 on:]

My bigger issue is enclosure aesthetics.  I can't get my finished projects to look good.

A spot of market research then, if you don't mind... :-)

• What form-factor enclosure are you wanting?
• Would you be prepared to pay to make your finished projects look good? If so, what sort of budget?

Your response is appreciated. :-)

--Phil.

[Reply #9 on:]

A spot of market research then, if you don't mind...

One simple project I have finished on a breadboard right now I'm looking to finish nicely is a wireless trivial buzzer receiver.  Hardwarewise, it's an IR receiver, an RGB LED, a piezo beeper, and batteries.   When it receives an IR code, it lights the RGB a colour depending on the code, sounds the buzzer for a second, delays several more seconds and then turns off the LED and waits for a new IR code.  

For the enclosure I want as small a form factor as possble, somewhere to mount the IR receiver with as wide a viewing angle as possible, and somewhere to mount the LED with a diffuser.  At the moment I'm looking at a very over-sized project box which makes the LED look dinky and I still don't know what to do about the IR receiver.

As far as paying, I am prepared to, but it is a one-off project so I wouldn't want something with lots of upfront fees and that really limits the budget.

[Reply #10 on:]

From Make magazine, a few more "arty" PCB examples.

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/02/led_fish_art_circuitry.html




Andrew

[Reply #11 on:]

Thanks everyone for all the infos, keep posting the beautiful PCBs (and enclosures) ^^

Now for the fun stuff (even if you certainly already saw it):

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/mobiuscircuit


http://deryke.blogspot.com/2009/01/ch3ck-th1s-0ut.html

[Reply #12 on:]

I never thought I'd say this, but man, that Illuminato board is a thing of beauty.

If only you could make wires look as good...

[Reply #13 on:]

I'm not equating my efforts to fine art but I just received my very first self-designed custom PCB from a board service bureau.  I had to show it off because it's pretty exciting to see your Eagle files turn into something you can hold in your hand.




Now to see if it actually works...

[Reply #14 on:]

The Orb POV






Just had a really good discussion with a friend about how the circuit board is the pinnacle of "Form Vs Function"

Got my etching fluid today along with some copper board.......already own a screen printing bed, so am really looking forward to playing with from and function.

Melka, Keep this thread going, its important.