Comments for ChemHacker

Comment on Laser testing: movement! by Oren Beck

Oren Beck — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:48:41 +0000

I used to service plotters that laser exposed microfilm for “blueprint” type documents.

One hack I was taught on that gear was placing a black paper cover on the moving mirror so spot focus on the black paper showed up easily visible- if you are using a visible laser of course. since your project is- the trick may work for you. BtW- front surface vs back surface mirrors is an often overlooked friend or enemy in laser work. Things like that sequin are good for lowering moving mass, but less good for optical flatness. Though, the sequin may have some front surface value if that surface is not back painted.

Comment on STMs on a Plane: Prototype Electronics and Security Checkpoints by Andreas

Andreas — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:15:30 +0000

I am travelling with my DSLR backpack and here in Europe it was never a problem passing the x-rays with my DIY cam controller which consists of some ICs and wires etc.

Comment on STMs on a Plane: Prototype Electronics and Security Checkpoints by Sacha

Sacha — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:16:24 +0000

Hey, please report back with how things went with Speak and Math — good luck!

Comment on STMs on a Plane: Prototype Electronics and Security Checkpoints by Noah

Noah — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:57:00 +0000

I’m about to travel with a circuit bent Speak and Math that I spent over $60 and 20 hours on, hopefully these tips will help me.

Comment on Open Science Summit Poster by Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) Made Simple | Chips To Bits

Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) Made Simple | Chips To Bits — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:54:45 +0000

[...] has a short presentation on STM’s. Here are the slides I made up for the static display of the STM at OSS this weekend Share this [...]

Comment on STMs on a Plane: Prototype Electronics and Security Checkpoints by Nick Britsky

Nick Britsky — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:33:58 +0000

Leaving Maker Faire: SF 2010, I acquired my first Arduino set. I was so excited to use it. I installed the software on my computer the night before my flight and was ready to tinker on the plane. It never occurred to me that the TSA might have a problem with this. They let me through after a detailed interrogation but kindly asked me not to working any projects on the plane.

Comment on STMs on a Plane: Prototype Electronics and Security Checkpoints by Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 04:19:30 +0000

Nice! We couldn’t get through security with Gatorade powder. It had to be tested for explosives. A Bic lighter full of fluid made it through every time though.

Comment on STMs on a Plane: Prototype Electronics and Security Checkpoints by electronica

electronica — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 01:36:23 +0000

Thanks for the tips, now i know how travelling with prototypes Some times i had to answer a lot of questions about the devices haha usually they dont understand

Comment on STMs on a Plane: Prototype Electronics and Security Checkpoints by Sacha

Sacha — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 01:22:41 +0000

@Jack: yeah, I was really, really nervous about travelling with a prototype. That’s why I wrote this article: I hope people will (successfully) use this pattern for their own prototypes.

Comment on STMs on a Plane: Prototype Electronics and Security Checkpoints by Jack

Jack — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:56:51 +0000

Looking at your project makes me uneasy based on my own past experience. Loose wires are pretty much a no no for airport security. Putting it in a nice case was a big step towards rendering your project inert but they can still see the ‘scary’ wires in the X-ray machine. If I am still at the stage where I have wires hanging out of my project then I ship it using UPS. Usually though, I just go straight to a single circuit board and avoid the mess to begin with. Besides, loose wires are really bad for the longevity of your project anyway. Wires have been the #1 failure point of my projects over the years.