Mouser Donation 2018

Electronics
#8

Generally hacking the hrdwr at DMS is discouraged. Consistent maintenance as mentioned and possible bricking of the device are good reasons. And there are potential legal issues. You are attempting to gain/turn on a feature that is normally charged for - vendors/manufacturers see that as theft.

I don’t think there is an “official” policy on this. Brick an expensive piece of gear, you might be given the option to replace what you damaged at your expense and/or be banned. Especially if you did not have permission to do the hack.

And here’s a perspective that most won’t consider/realize. Any organization that has reputation for hacking its gear to gain features for free runs the risk of being dropped/turned down by vendors/manufacturers for donations/sponsorship.

11 Likes
#9

Does CA or ? have an engraver?
Something along the line of vibrating sharp metal point that engraves on metal, plastic, etc.

#10

There were two that I know of: One out in Workshop and one CA. Being shy migratory species finding them is another story.

2 Likes
#11

Art - for the Analog Discovery modules, I suggest we get a set of these when possible.:

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/?qs=s%2FdyVPQMB4x7a6MPVGWeNg%3D%3D

#13

Anyone want to use the thermal imager to do a lie detection class/event? My Weimaraner never lies. Her nose is always cold.

#15

Was it specifically requested as a donation? I’m not sure how the mouser sponsorship works are you? I have seen thermal imagers used to detect hot spots in computers and test how well “cooling systems” actually work.

#16

In the last few years, Science was hot and heavy for one. Maybe Electronics should gift it to them if they still want one?

#17

So what are you proposing ? Give it back to Mouser ?

Looks like a useful tool to me, so I will oppose that course of action.

#19

Funny how the *itching comes out of the woodwork after the fact.
I asked for input/suggestions and got very little feedback.
Sooo…put a cork in it and move on.

8 Likes
#20

I think that @Team_Jewelry & @nausser915 would find good use with it.

1 Like
#21

This is a great tool and can be used by many different groups. The temperature range is limited to 250C/482F so it probably isn’t useful pyromtery readings for molten metals, heat treating and really isn’t even high enough for annealing temps for most things.

But I’m sure where exact temperatures within it’s range are needed this is a fantastic tool. I can see it being useful in Science where exact temps are necessary (I’m thinking of distillation and separation points) and the ability to seen gradients in liquids for even temps. (How much body heat does a tarantula give off - can they be detected?) I think in automotive casing down leaks or tripping cicuits would be of great help. These were used widely at United Technologies in their Preventive Maintenance programs for detecting motors that were in early stages of wear both for bearings and windings (along with ultrasonic for bearings). I’m sure in tracing HVAC leaks or determining duct outlet temps this would be of great help. In 3D Fan used for checking nozzle temps: programmed vs actual. Of course they can be used in electronics - to what degree I’m no expert but it would they would be good at trouble shooting.

Read an article today they can be used in detecting lies by temperature changes in your nose! Might be great to have projected on a scene during meet the candidate meeting for the BoD or Chairs … or maybe they should be banned. Pinocchio effect

I see no reason it can’t stay in electronics - it like all tools could be checked out for use else where. This is a tool that has been talked about on and off over the last 3 years at least. I think it’s great we have a high quality tool. Art asked for input, apparently nothing of a higher priority was requested so this was chosen. I don’t think it a frivolous addition to DMS’s tools and capabilities.

I can think of some things I’d like to do using it in the Machine Shop when teaching milling: We talk about the effect that lubricants have on cutting temps - now when we demonstrate and show the change in real time. How cool will that be!

5 Likes
#22

have you ever used one? it’s super useful when you’re powering up a new prototype to be able to see an individual overheating chip BEFORE damage is done, rather than waiting for the smoke/smell or burning your finger.

#23

For some reason I was getting the Fluke and the FLIR backwards. The Fluke IR thermal goes to 1600f.

#24

You can use it to try and track down shorts on a PCB… or defective chips by how hot or cold they are compared to surrounding components.

1 Like
#27

Still not understanding why there needs to be passive aggressive complaints about a generous donation. If there was something you thought was needed over the item in question just say it and be done with it. That’s the only reason that seems plausible for questioning a high value donation that doesn’t take up a huge footprint at the space.

Passive-aggressive complaints
#28

So your complaint is that we got a tool that several different committees have expressed interest in having as a part of the donation, instead of spending the whole donation budget plus a substantial chunk of money on a tool that likely you are the only one who will ever use. Especially after someone else tries to and lets the smoke out.

Expensive and fragile are a bad combination in the e-lab. And $7K is a LOT of money.

Good call Art.

#29

Can that be used to determine if a custom case (like a Raspberry Pi ABS case) has good air flow?

#30

sure, start with current limiting, but sometimes the current you need for a circuit to function is also enough to blow something in the case of a short. and even when current limiting, this can tell you where the fault is.

no, an IR thermometer is not the same because it’s averaging a huge FOV. big difference when you’re trying to figure out what’s broke or detect a small heat source.

if this is so useless for electronics, why is thermal imaging a top level board on EEVBlog forums?

#31

Unless there are openings to have the flir look through, you can’t see the temperature of the components through the case. You would only get the external temperature of the case.

If the case was easy to open, you could run the system for a determined length of time under predictable load, then open the case and measure for comparison, but even variation in the length of time the case is open can lead to considerable issues with repeatability and comparisons.

#32

The question I’m hoping to answer: “Is there air flowing in from the bottom through the case then out of the top vents?”

So the air does not radiate much heat making it mostly invisible to the camera.

Or is it? Can the camera’s sensitivity be adjusted so the small amount of radiated heat from the air can be detected?