069 - Canned Cheese and Onion Rings

Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast · 17 Apr 2024 · 1h 22m

What this episode covers

Ian from Dangerous Prototypes discusses the evolution of the BusPirate, culminating in the BusPirate 5, which utilizes an RP2040 microcontroller and features an LCD, adjustable power supply, and current sensing. He details the creation of DirtyPCBs and other services like DirtyCables, explaining how he automated PCB ordering in Shenzhen to disrupt the market. Ian also shares anecdotes about his time in Huaqiangbei, including the 'Expressway to Pleasure' project and his experiences with local manufacturing quirks.

Mentioned

Companies
DirtyPCBs, Dangerous Prototypes, SeedStudio, Flyline Consulting
Products
BusPirate 5, Prusa MINI, HackerBoxes, Arduboy
Chips
RP2040
Tools
KiCad

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 23m

    An Interview with Ian Lesnet - Bus Buccaneer Builder

    Ian Lesnet of Dangerous Prototypes discusses the evolution of the Bus Pirate and the company's open hardware business model, which relies on manufacturing partnerships with Seeed Studio in China. He details the technical challenges of developing the Bus Pirate version 4, including the switch to an open-source USB stack and the implementation of built-in self-test (BIST) for manufacturing quality control. Lesnet also explains the 'Sick of Beige' initiative to standardize PCB footprints for recyclable cases and the community-driven nature of their firmware development.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 11m

    Secret Squirrel

    Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics discusses his new role as a developer advocate, focusing on modular hardware like U-Blocks and the trend of integrating complex functions into single System-in-Package (SIP) modules such as the Octavo OSD335x-SM. Dave Jones of EEV Blog shares his experience prototyping a new multimeter with a South Korean manufacturing partner, detailing the financial risks and supply chain decisions involved in moving from prototype to pilot production. The conversation also covers the resurgence of retro computing standards like PC-104 and the strategic use of crowdfunding for hardware ventures.

  • Hackaday Podcast · 1h 23m

    Ep 375: Rebuilding Tech on Our Terms and the Hero Nerd

    Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi discuss the shutdown of the RPiLocator.com tool, a nostalgic time capsule from the chip shortage era. They review listener hacks including a fake bike counter, a graphics upgrade for the Nintendo Entertainment System using a second Picture Processing Unit, and building dynamic RAM from discrete components. The episode also covers a drop-in replacement PCB for the Casio G-Shock watch, DIY robot actuators, and the evolution of the 'hero nerd' archetype in film.

  • Hackaday Podcast · 56m

    EP014: Keeping Raspberry's SD Card Alive, We Love MRRF, and How Hot Are Flip Chips?

    Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys review weekly hacks, including a delay pedal by Electro Smash using the PT 2399 chip and a project by Tegwin Jolly Roger Twom Fat using AI to identify garden slugs. They discuss extending Raspberry Pi SD card life via log-to-RAM scripts and explore the complexities of metal 3D printing and flip chip technology. The episode features an interview with Scotty Allen of Strange Parts, who walks through the Shenzhen electronics markets, explaining how specialized small businesses network to manufacture products.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 20m

    123: Banished from Running Linux

    Bob Coggeshall, co-author of sudo and founder of Small Batch Assembly, explains how he transitioned from a career in software to running a boutique electronics assembly service for makers. He details the technical challenges of automating low-volume PCB assembly, including building a custom pricing engine in Python and integrating with the Octopart Common Parts Library to streamline customer workflows. Coggeshall also discusses his personal projects, such as driving Nixie tubes with high-voltage circuits and using microcontrollers like the ATmega328 and Atmel SAM D20.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.