# LEDs Everywhere with Tim from Mitxela

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2025-07-08
- Length: 1h 15m
- Episode: 697
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-07-08-leds-everywhere-with-tim-from-mitxela
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/697-leds-everywhere-with-tim-from-mitxela/

## Summary

Dave Jones (Mitxela) discusses his portfolio of hardware, firmware, and mechanical projects, including a fluid simulation pendant, a spinning volumetric display, and matrix earrings. He details the engineering challenges of driving dense 0201 LED arrays using Charlieplexing on two-layer PCBs and achieving ultra-low power consumption with the CH32V003 and 8051 microcontrollers. Jones also shares his philosophy on learning metalworking via YouTube, the value of open-source tools like Blender, and the technical depth required to write a Game Boy emulator from scratch.

## Outline

1. Introduction and Fluid Simulation Pendant
2. Metalworking, Gold Plating, and Power Management
3. Dense LED Matrix Design and Charlieplexing
4. Volumetric Display and Pick-and-Place Machine
5. Blender, Open Source Software, and FreeCAD
6. Learning Metalworking and Lathe Skills
7. Writing a Game Boy Emulator and Assembly
8. Puzzle Games, Brainfuck, and Low-Power Earrings
9. One-Wire Bootloader and Future Projects

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Mitxela (other)
- CH32V003 (chip)
- STM32L432 (chip)
- Blender (tool)
- FreeCAD (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Charm High (tool)
- Space Chem (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 377: Parallel Pixels, Wiggly Consoles, and Seven Segments](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-10-ep-377-parallel-pixels-wiggly-consoles-and-seven-segments) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [41: Pink Universes Die Really Quickly (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [41: Pink Universes Die Really Quickly](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-05-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly) (Embedded.fm)
- [350: The State of the Empire Is Good](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-06-350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep 150: Blackberry Runs Out of Juice, NODE has your pinouts, Rats learn DOOM, and 2021 is Done](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-01-07-ep-150-blackberry-runs-out-of-juice-node-has-your-pinouts-rats-learn-doom-and-20) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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