Beginner

Projects General Guidance
1

I am a complete beginner with all this so before I get too involved I would like to ask a simple question if I may.

Once I have developed a device using the Arduino project board how do I then translate that into a permanenet working device.
Is there any advice/guidance on how to make a permanent unit thus releasing the Arduino board for future projects or is that it, do I have to use the board in the permanent device and so have to buy another Arduino to make something else?

2

There is plenty of advice on this forum, including pictures as to:

  • put a standalone processor with external components onto a breadboard*
  • burn a standalone processor with various devices (including the arduino itself, cheap serial programmers & parallel programmers)
    There is a whole subforum on that topic.
  • change the "fuse settings" to use different external components such as a crystal, a resonator, or the MCUs own internal clock.

I would advise you to carry on with the Arduino for now, and buy a couple of the MCU chips, initially with a bootloader ( a few pounds off ebay), or without and burn your own bootloader, then rig them up on a breadboard.

If you are only making a few items it might be cost effective to just use Arduino boards with a shield or external circuit.

*(minimally processor, C and R for reset, 2C and a crystal for timing; I tend to put a MAX202 chip + 5C on the board too so that I can program it using a USB-Serial adaptor)

3

Welcome to Arduino.
My steps are the following.
First I get the project working, then transfer it to a breadboard.
Finally if I am going to put it someplace permanent I then solder up a standalone version.
I like using the Adafruit proto boards for this.

I have also used an RBB Pro in permanent projects as well, instead of making a stand alone Arduino. They are cheaper than something like the Arduino Uno and smaller.
http://shop.moderndevice.com/products/rbbb-pro