Circuit Break - A MacroFab Podcast

Parker and Stephen discuss some MacroFab updates including news about their pod community and Slack, what’s wrong and right about high-end GPUs and the marvels of KrisFix and his YouTube repair channel, what’s up with consumer electronics and their lack of reverse polarity protection, and Parker muses about when it’s time to call it day for a 3D Printer. 

More on these topics:

Community:

• New community hub! Shifting away from the Slack channel?
• Are you in or near Houston, Texas any time soon? Please come out to Beers for Engineers! More info below! 

Dead on Arrival for high end GPUs - Nvidia

• RTX 4090 - The biggest problem with modern cards that the manufacturer refuses to repair
• KrisFix’s repair skills
• Popping the pad
• Too much Board Flex
• “RTX Technology Package” (air quotes) 
• Decoding NVIDIA
• 5000 Series Rumours?

Why do so many consumer electronics not have reverse polarity protection?

• Looking through Windows
• Can’t turn it up to 11
• Motherboards of Invention 
• Guitar Pedal Problems
• The hot leg
• The P Channel Set-up
• “Slap a diode on it”
• Italian Decisions 
• Why Raspberry Pie “Won”

Personal Project Updates:

• Should Parker replace his 3D printer?
• When to pull the plug on such a hard-working machine

Good links:

• Beers for Engineers events!
• RTX 4090 - The biggest problem of modern cards that the manufacturer refuses to repair
• MEP EP#262: Flex PCB Primers 
• MEP EP#313: Another Tool for Your Toolbox

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab.com/slack or email us at [email protected]. 

Parker and Stephen discuss Infineon’s use of recyclable PCBs from Jiva Materials to create a soluboard, a recyclable and biodegradable PCB substrate, and its ecological and efficiency implications, an examination of the new Arduino Uno, which replaces the ATMEGA328P with two new models, Minima and Wifi, plus a CNC update and an extended meditation on saw blades and what they can and cannot actually cut.

More on these topics:

Infineon uses recyclable PCBs from Jiva Materials

• The fibers are natural and have a lower impact than traditional glass based fibers.
  • 7.1kg and the carbon footprint of one square meter of standard FR-4 PCB is estimated to be 17.7kg.
  • Does anyone really know what “carbon footprint” means?
• The non-toxic polymer that binds the fibers dissolves when immersed in hot water, leaving only compostable organic material. The polymer in the water can be disposed of in normal waste water.
  • 7.1kg and the carbon footprint of one square meter of standard FR-4 PCB is estimated to be 17.7kg.
  • A 60% waste reduction
  • Electronic devices can last FOREVER
  • Bad reviews vs. pollution vs. boiling the boards vs. useless promo items

Jiva Materials

• Compatibility with current PCB Assembly processes 
• Repair, don’t replace!
• Hoping for some Jiva experimentation 
• Board Mould
• Mmmm, PCB soup…
• Making puzzle badges but also, BOIL YOUR BADGE
• But is the PCB Spaceworthy?

New Arduino Uno:

• The ATMEGA328P is no more! Replaced with a 32-bit ARM Cortex M4.
• Comes in two flavors:
  • Minima which looks to just be the MCU and supporting hardware.
  • WiFi which has 2.4Ghz capabilities and a LED Matrix?
• The Minima has a proper SWD debug connector where the WiFi version does not?
• Gripes with Arduino
• Super crisp silkscreening 
• USB and HID Support 
• Raspberry Pie has bit the bullet

Once Year Since the CNC Project Began: An Update

• We are cutting!
• Getting garbage plywood and the state of Baltic Birch
• Building the interior of the box truck
• Always find a local source
• Using the wrong blade can feel so right
• SAW (blades)
• Metal and wood and cold cuts
• WARNING: PODCAST DANGER ZONE AHEAD

Good links:

• Infineon uses recyclable PCBs from Jiva Materials
• Jiva Materials 
• New Arduino Uno
• MEP EP#352: CNC Crafting

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected]. 

Matt has been teaching Robotics and Embedded Systems at the University of Advancing Technology since 2019. Before that, he worked in the pharmaceutical Industry for 15 years, primarily for Cardinal Health where he made radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive drugs) and worked as the Quality Unit in production for seven years, before switching to R&D as a Senior Principal Scientist. 

Guests:

• Matthew Prater from the University of Advancing Technology

Increasing the dosage

• Matt on how he began making radiopharmaceuticals
• Going from manufacturing five to thousands of doses a day
• Programming robotics…with an Excel sheet?
• Enviable synthesis machines

Up Late to Fight Cancer

• Baking radioactive fluorine
• Cancer cells that eat and make babies
• Chemistry and Robots
• “$130,000 to go from 23 seconds to forever”
• Check flights to Fargo at 3 AM before drugs died
• House and ER and radioactivity and PET in cancer treatments
• Getting the fluorine carbon bond to happen where you want to
• A little bit of spicy sugar

The F-18 Radioactive Tracer

• Does F-18 spit out a proton?
• Giving up the graveyard shifts for R&D
• Cancer and hypoxia
• Working on Meds that Battle Alzheimer’s disease
• Drug trials and brain slides

Regs and Pigs

• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Agreement States
• Storing radioactivity in a pig
• Oil pipelines made from trees
• Two terms for pigs that aren’t actually pigs

What’s the deal with the University of Advancing Technology?

• Red Blue Security Teams and serious competition
• The Automated Motorcycle Visor and Coffin Cases
• Virtual front row seats and concert drones
• An Empire 6C
• Not the end, the endotoxin
• Can you eat horseshoe crabs?

Summary/Takeaways: 

• Matt’s fascinating background as a chemist and robotics and embedded systems provides him with a fascinating foothold in two worlds that intersect in intriguing ways
• Based on the hazardous materials involved, the pharmaceutical industry is at the forefront of robotics and software technology 

Connect with Matthew Prater:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-prater-32b0727a 
• UAT Faculty: https://www.uat.edu/faculty-at-university-of-advancing-technology 
• MEP EP#193: Robots Have Fall Damage

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected]. 

This special episode is recorded at DEF CON, the annual hacker community gathering in Las Vegas.  Hyr0n and Zapp from AND!XOR dive into the troubleshooting and triumphs of the Snackey vending machine project. From battling long queues to AI-enhanced innovation and mind-boggling challenges, explore the technical and creative journey behind this badge that will ignite your taste buds! 

Guests:

• Hyr0n & Zapp from AND!XOR 

Troubleshooting Snackey at DEF CON 

• Snackey was a hit!  The vending machine attracted 2-hour long queues 
• Troubleshooting a myriad of issues from a bag of potato chips getting stuck to power and display malfunctions
• A primary glitch: Snackey refused to boot up, only to discover an extension cord mistaken for the real power source

AI-Enhanced Snackey and Delving into Design 

• Behind the scenes, the badge's back-end infrastructure hinged on CircuitPython, while AI, including Bard and ChatGPT, played a pivotal role in certain aspects
• An example of AI integration: modifying the progress bar script
• AI, however, was exclusively utilized for software, not hardware components
• AI came into play when a deep fake video featuring Billy Mays was created for the AND!XOR DC31 Trailer
• Zapp walks us through the intricate design layers of the badge which included woodworking & laser engraving

Badge Challenges 2023 

• The Gopher challenge presented a blend of traditional cybersecurity tasks and connection points, offering a puzzle for attendees to decipher 
• A coin cell on the back of the badge transformed it into Snackey Jr. and provided some clever misdirection for those who thought it was a battery cell slot 
• The Pizza Emoji Challenge, with its Morse code and homage to the TV remote inventor, showcased the multifaceted nature of Snackey's puzzles 

Summary/Takeaways: 

• A key challenge for next year will be elevating the speed of Snackey’s operations to reduce wait times 
• The collaborative essence of DEF CON highlights the ever-evolving landscape of hacking and creative engineering 

Connect with AND!XOR:

• Website: https://www.andnxor.com/ 
• Github: https://github.com/ANDnXOR 
• Hackady.io:  https://hackaday.io/ANDnXOR 
• X: https://twitter.com/ANDnXOR 

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected]. 

Join physicist and electrical engineering historian, Kathy Joseph, as she unravels captivating human stories behind electricity's evolution.  Discover quirky experiments and eccentric scientists like self-deprecating Heinrich Hertz and self-proclaimed wizard Matthias Bose. Learn how historical knowledge and storytelling inspire present and future engineers.

Guests:

• Kathy Joseph, Physicist and Electrical Engineering Historical Expert 

Introduction to Kathy and Her Passion for the History of Science: 

• Kathy's spark for electrical engineering history ignited when students misconceived electricity's source as "a plug in the wall" 🔌
• Explore her popular YouTube channel, Kathy Loves Physics, and discover the inspiration behind her book, The Lightning Tamers 🌩️

Quirky Experiments and Peculiar Discoveries in Electrical Engineering:

• Kathy shares her extensive research process
• Incorporating storytelling makes science education more interesting, accessible and memorable
• We hear intriguing anecdotes about famous scientists like Heinrich Hertz, who despite a self-critical nature made groundbreaking discoveries in electromagnetic waves and modern wireless communication
• The Eccentric Matthias Bose: Meet the 18th-century self-proclaimed wizard 🧙‍, known for electrifying women he called "Venus Electrificatus"
• Polarizing Sheets and Edwin Land: Discover how Edwin Land's invention of polarizing sheets, born out of a father's desire to satisfy his child's impatience for instant pictures, influenced the modern Polaroid camera 📸
• Appreciate the passionate and artistic nature of scientists and engineers and the relevance of their stories to the present day 🧑‍🎨
• Looking Ahead: Reflect on the significance of historical knowledge in inspiring the next generation of engineers

Summary/Takeaways: 

• Kathy Joseph's passion for storytelling and the human side of science adds depth and relevance to the history of electrical engineering
• Understanding the context and personalities behind scientific discoveries enhances our appreciation for their significance

Connect with Kathy:

• Website: https://kathylovesphysics.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyLovesPhysics
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ILuvePhysics
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathylovesphysics/
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathyLovesPhysicsHistory

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected]. 

This week we’re joined by Josh Manley, Co-Owner and CEO of CADClass.org. Through a comprehensive array of courses and literature, CADClass.org provides education of various software and design methodologies, catering to individuals across all proficiency levels.  Since 2010 Josh has been utilizing his experience to create educational opportunities for anyone and everyone who wants to learn engineering skills. 

Guests:

• Josh Manley from CADclass.org

Overcoming CAD misconceptions

• 3D printing has incredible applications beyond "toys"
• Most YouTube portrayals of CAD often condense the work and set unrealistic expectations

Building a successful learning community:

• Going beyond video content
• Leveraging social discussion tools
• Giving the community a voice for their goals and needs

Summary/Takeaways:

• Effective education requires real-world (and exciting) applications for students
• CAD education must incorporate traditional engineering principals in order to have physical world success

Connect with Josh:

• Programs can be found at www.cadclass.org
• Josh’s physical book, Mastering Fusion 360
• Free or donation-based copy of the eBook is at www.cadclass.org/pages/book
• Twitter @CAD_Class
• YouTube @cadclassonline

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected].

This week we’re joined by David Schild, the Executive Director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA). PCBAA is a consortium of American companies supporting domestic production of printed circuit boards and the materials they are made of. An established leader and trusted advocate, Schild has over 20 years of experience managing political involvement, corporate public relations and public policy efforts for the aerospace and defense industry and advocates for the CHIPS Act and PCBS Act. 

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Guests:

• David Schild from the PCBAA

Intro to U.S. public policy impacting the microelectronic industry

• The impact of globalization, corporate consolidation, and reshoring 
• The CHIPS Act as a model and way forward to avoid supply chain issues
• Bringing manufacturing ecosystems back to America
• The CHIPS Act’s $52 billion endowment with tax credits to motivate companies to create in America

How far can American manufacturing subsidies really go?

• “Private money follows public action”
• We’re down to single points of failure; one thing goes down, everything goes down worldwide
• Engineers don’t often get elected to Congress
• Fostering options for young Americans to follow career paths via local microelectronics 
• “The things we make in America, we can invent in America”

Summary/Takeaways:

• Making PCBs relatable to the general public and politicians is crucial
• The CHIPS and PCBs acts are a good start, but not enough

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected]. 

Join us as we chat with Hyr0n and Zapp from AND!XOR Group about their iconic badges for DEF CON 31. Learn about the challenges and creative process behind their badges, including the returning Snackey Vending Machine. Discover how AI enhances their workflow while uncovering its limitations. Get ready for a captivating conversation!

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Guests:

• Hyr0n & Zapp from AND!XOR 

Intro to AND!XOR and Previous Badge Designs for DEF CON

• A brief history of AND!XOR group 
• The origins of Hyr0n & Zapp’s involvement in creating badges for DEF CON 
• Recapping previous DEF CON badges, including last year’s Project Snackey 
• The challenges of previous years badge design, including troubleshooting voltage issues and a weird bug that developed in Snackey halfway through DEF CON last year

DEF CON 31: Snackey is back! 

• Exciting news: Snackey Vending Machine is back with new improvements! 
• Balancing aesthetics and technical features while troubleshooting badge challenges
• Leveraging AI tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy in badge designs
• Upcoming Hacker challenges at DEF CON including the mysterious Black Badges and announcing that Sanckey is an official challenge this year! 
• Building a strong community at DEF CON through collaboration and solving challenges together 

Summary/Takeaways:

• Embrace the journey and learn from failures as they often lead to the most memorable experiences.
• AI is a powerful tool for automating tedious tasks but won't replace programmers anytime soon.

Previous Episodes Featuring AND!XOR: 

• MEP EP#342: Hackery Experts
• MEP EP#238: Better Encryption than Zoom, Firmware Stacks with AND!XOR
• MEP EP#183: Feel the Hum
• MEP EP#109
• MEP EP#69

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected]. 

Delve into the world of AI in chip design, exploring the limitations and benefits of AI, its impact on productivity and the labor market, and the future of this technology. We also join Parker on another exciting installment of his Box Truck project as he converts a truck into an RV.  We discuss the limitations of warranties and power systems for conversions. Tune in for a captivating conversation!

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AI Can't Design Chips Without People 🤖

• Advancements and challenges in AI's role in chip design, optimizing performance, layouts, and quality control
• The hybrid human-machine approach, leveraging AI while valuing design engineers' expertise and creativity
• Exploring AI applications in art, music, and the context of derivative and non-derivative works
• Examining the role of AI in increasing productivity and discussing labor implications in chip design and other disciplines 

Box Truck: Parker Project Status Update 

• Parker's ongoing conversion of a Box Truck into an RV 
• Encountering a challenge: engine won't start 🤦‍♂️
• Costly towing bill due to a faulty fuel module replacement
• Dive into discussions on power systems, wiring, battery technology, and power management complexities
• Catch up on the Box Truck saga in previous Episodes 376, 378, and 379

Summary/Takeaways:

• Reflections on the importance of the human element in collaboration with AI to achieve optimal results 
• Consider the challenges and complexities involved in converting a Box Truck into an RV, from engine issues to power system considerations

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected]. 

In the spirit of summer, we kick off this week with a  timely discussion of whether you can cook food on the engine of your car; how hot would your exhaust pipes even need to be? Stephen shares the current challenges he’s facing with his CNC (computer numerical control) project; avoiding messy wiring, dos and don’ts of using electrical tape and when to upgrade to a bigger 3D printing.  We also discuss the special place in Hell for the person at the hardware store who puts the wrong screw in the wrong drawer. 😈

Manifold Destiny: Cooking on a Car Engine 

• Experience the culinary adventure of transforming your car into a BBQ hotspot 
• Exhaust pipes can reach temperatures of up to 1200°F; certainly enough to cook an egg 
• Stainless steel changes color based on heat, with blue occurring around 550-650°F and brown near 450°F
• We compare the artistry of welding techniques on Instagram akin to the Mona Lisa to the practical Parker-style welding approach 

CNC (computer numerical control): Stephen Project Status Update 

• Stephen provides a status update on his ongoing CNC project 
• Tips for avoiding messy wiring and achieving a professional look in CNC projects
• Discussion on the dos and don'ts of using electrical tape
• Considerations for upgrading to a larger 3D printer, expanding your printing possibilities 
• The special place in hell for the person who puts the wrong screw in the wrong drawer at the hardware store 

Summary/Takeaways:

• Transform your car into a BBQ to unlock the culinary potential of your vehicle’s engine
• Avoid Mad Max-style wiring, elevating the overall aesthetic and functionality of your CNC project 

Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at [email protected].