Hello guys! I haven't been blogging about the projects that I've been working on for quite a while.

Here's new a project that I have been working on for a bit longer than a month. It's a toy motor controller.

Application

This Toy Motor Controller is designed to be used for modifying existing motorized toys so that they'd be more fun to play with. For example, the motor of fishing game toy or penguin dash toy can be attached to this toy motor controller so that their motor can run at different motor speed, optionally with randomized movement pattern. It also supports reading external sensors so that the end-user can develop their own firmware to control the motor based on the sensor readings.

Feature

• Microcontroller: STM32G030F6P6
• Power input: AAx2 battery or DC Jack w/ power switch
• Dual encoders with push button
• A dedicated push button
• Dual 3-digit seven segment LEDs
• LED stripe display composed of 15x 0603 LEDs
• Motor driving port - Can be used for driving any motor that meets the voltage and current requirement
• External analog sensor port
• Air pressure sensor
• Motor current sensor for feedback control
• UART port mainly for interfacing with computer
• SWD debug port

Completed Task Items

• First revision of hardware design
• Assembly of the first prototype unit, which's mostly working
• Test firmware for testing the hardware design

Task Items to be Worked on

• Mechanical case - to be printed using 3D printer
• Revision of hardware design for fixing the following issues:
  • Removal of known useless hardware feature that I've added to the first revision of PCB just in case
  • Mitigating voltage regulator transient output voltage drop upon the motor starts
  • Perhaps adding an additional motor driving port
• The actual firmware. Currently we've only got the test firmware working, which isn't good for anything other than testing hardware feature
• Production and distribution

Expected Production Volume

Based on my previous experience with the demand of my products, the expected demand for this project for its life time would be 10-50 units. I'll try to optimize the design for small volume production, including looking for parts that can be ordered in small volume, designing it in a way that I wouldn't have to spend too much time doing assembly even if I have to do it on my own, etc.

Future of Sadale.net

I kind of feel bad of starting a new project before completing the previous ones. It isn't uncommon for hobbyist projects tho. At least the completion rate of my projects is still higher than most fellow hobbyists.

After this project, I think I'll revamp my website for a little bit to make it less formal and more personal. Then I'll try getting back to my previous projects that I haven't finish (the clock and the portable game console).