CAD Modelling Finish + Starting PCB + Starting BOM
Hello! This was one of my longest recorded working sessions (I paused it a lot) and this is part 1/2 of my recordings.
First, I started working on the holes for the neopixel hole placement on CAD for each cube and copy pasted each sketch (had to adjust + extrude each face individually) after measuring so that the neopixels could slide into place and be visible, but also left enough room via a few chamfers so that the wires could go out to the electronics + so that possible the backs of the LEDs could be attached (via glue, tape?) and stay in place.
Next I worked on cleaning up the edges for easy printing. This included adding edges for the bottom rows so that I could later make a slider for acrylic walls.
Later, I diverted and went to work on the BOM; this made me realize (along with talking to a few people) that I should also make the schematic before I order the parts to solder with.
I began that after mostly completing the BOM, leaving a the cost of a few cost-dependent items for later.
The schematic includes around 54 neopixel LEDs that I’ll probably have to redo the footprints for, since they aren’t the exact ones that I’ll be working with. However, the ESP32 works as of now. I then went back to the CAD.
All that was left was to insert screw holes and slider columns for possible acrylic walls. I cut out a few holes according to a few Home Depot screws I found (four, one for each corner) and made them so that they would connect to the bottom walls. I then created the sliders with probably a larger tolerance than necessary (since I am not the one printing, just in case things go wrong).
I think I am going to submit my project early so I can continue schematic work later while waiting for parts to arrive!