EEVblog #130 - The µCalc Credit Card Scientific Calculator / Computer

Dave describes the design of his open source hardware µCalc credit card sized calculator / computer.
Specifications:
PIC 24F 16 bit Processor, 256KB Flash, 16KB SRAM, 64KB serial flash user memory, 3-Axis tilt sensor, Micro SD card, capacitive touch sensing keypad, 128x64 dot matrix display.

[stridermtk]

Dave...buddy. I think we can figure out how the batteries connect dude. No need to be exhaustive there.

In all seriousness this is a great project and it HAS been a privilege to see it in it's various design phases.
This is a great blog.

[AissaAzzaz]

Even after 9 years this video is just awesome

[gnagyusa]

"Inner PCB core". Love it!
Sounds Zen!
Embrace your inner PCB core!

[BenitoIsAwesomr]

Dave, I have to say your blogs have inspired me to possibly look into Electrical Engineering in college, I really have no idea what I want to do, but things like this are so awesome.

[huanz]

EEVblog  Hi Dave, I've watched this video quite some time ago and came back now because I'm struggling with the design of those captouch buttons. I think it'd be worth (at least for me) a video on how to design the buttons/sliders yourself if you're still into this kind of things. Oh and keep up your great videos :)

[nihonam]

Is it finished? Do you sell it?
Maybe license for production?
Or maybe GPL license? ;)

[EEVblog]

@gbowne1 The proverbial "how long is a piece of string" might apply here! But yeah, I can probably do some stuff on that in the future.

[EEVblog]

@LauxHawk Solder mask is pretty durable. Only long term testing will prove it in any given application though.

[PasanKarunanayake]

Woow, Love the project. Wonder where can i buy one ?

[frac]

For the battery - I've seen this trick: On that pad you added for the wire to the back board, solder a short compression spring instead. That spring makes contact with a suitably placed opposite pad once the boards are glued. Not sure of reliability, but ease of manufacturing is good. Even better, glue a bit of conductive rubber or foam rather than a spring.

[EEVblog]

@cr99991 Friction between the top and bottom board. Can use a screwdriver, tweezers, or a good hard whack to get them out!

[gbowne]

Dave: Please do a EEVblog on something like "Tips for using ATMEL micros." or Tips for using PIC's", etc

[EEVblog]

@fax8 Just a bog standard 3 axis low-g accelerometer available from a dozen vendors.

[c]

Absolutely splendid Dave. Great creativity.

[paulbendel]

Awesome concept Dave, is it done yet?

Can you do a tutorial on capacitive touch sensing?

Keep up the good work!

[EEVblog]

@thewii552 For the millionth time. It takes Youtube time to process the video. And there is a bug that automatically puts it live once it's finished uploading.

[bateskecom]

David! Bateske here creator of the arduboy! This is my first time seeing this, and am so amazed you had this developed 4 years ago! This is great, maybe there is a way to refresh the design??? ;)

[davegsm]

From one Dave to another, I'd love to have one of these mate, what I would say is that empty space on the lower right hand side (viewed from the rear) is crying out for a Bluetooth module. I've used BT in loads of my projects and having essentially a programmable 'terminal' the size of a credit card would be amazing.

[WaltMaken]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing all of the details. Very interesting.

[WaltMaken]

If you're interested in RPN credit card size calcs, do a Google search for RPN-CALC DM-15C