Oh dear, it's been a while since I did an update here! Well, FreeCycle came up with another great item, a zig-zag sewing machine (Toyota 888) with a selection of accessories. So that was an upgrade from the Jones straight-line machine, and enables me to sew buttons on and to sew zips in. Some of the stitch patterns can be used on stretch fabrics ( Read more... )

After a successful day's hacking on the Arduino line-scan image sensor at the Dorkbot Bristol Hack Day, I can now claim FIRST LIGHT! I had the sensor working earlier in the week, but I now have a way to actually see what it can "see" (all 128 pixels of it). I thought about installing and learning a C++ graphical framework like Qt or GTK+, but ( Read more... )

I have now received the chips from RS Components, and the mix-up with the ADC/DAC parts has been resolved. The TSL1401 is connected to the Arduino and sending pixel data to the host. I have a Boots disposable 35mm camera to hack into a lens and housing for the sensor. I expect I'll take the whole lot to the next Dorkbot hack day on Sunday ( Read more... )

I've switched back to part-time working for a few weeks now, so I've had a bit more spare time. Not that I've done very much productive with it, you understand. Well, I did make a photographic trip round the harbour:


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