Tom Stokes

Startups, engineering, software, hardware, wireless, product, management. | Keeping the signal-to-noise ratio high.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

Close-up of the edge of a 35mm film print. Every last bit of space is used for audio data:

Left: Sony Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS)

Between sprocket holes: Dolby Digital

Waveform pairs on the right: Analog optical sound

Right dashed lines: DTS time codes

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@gabegundy No imaginary numbers allowed.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@fishPointer DIN rail is underrated.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@MehdiHacks P1P is good value for the money.

For a first printer I would suggest an A1 or A1 Mini. They maintain resale value surprisingly well. Sell it off once you have more experience and know specifically what you need from a higher-end printer.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@bznotes Getting two land-based connections with a router that can do failover is the key to reliability.

Starlink is great for remote areas, but if you're in a city the landline options will usually be an order of magnitude faster.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@ProgramMax It’s also a flex process, so a rigid carrier or stiffener would be necessary. Hand-soldering PET substrates is also likely to be a disappointing experience due to the low heat tolerance. Going to look cool for applications where it can be put to use, though.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@kograt @JLCPCB It’s a standard 2-layer flex PCB process, so you get 2 copper layers with the translucent PET substrate in between.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

The new translucent flex PCB substrate from @JLCPCB looks amazing.

I need to find an excuse to make a translucent PCB now.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@r0b0t_sp1der @JLCPCB It is. It’s a PET flex PCB. The first image I posted was a marketing render (sorry) but the rest of the thread shows some more photos. They have some PCBs mounted on translucent plastic carriers which makes for a nice effect.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@ns_schoe @QVHenkel @tomasmas @JLCPCB Oh definitely. I should have called it out when I posted it, sorry.

They have a few other photos of the translucent flex boards including some customer projects

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@QVHenkel @tomasmas @JLCPCB Yes, it's a standard PET flex PCB. I should have picked a better screenshot from their marketing video.

They show real boards attached to rigid frames which is a nice effect.

They show one butterfly-shaped board that might not have any stiffener, but they're holding it gently

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

Some better images of real boards rather than marketing render above.

These are PET substrate, which is a flex PC material. Note the use of the rigid frame to hold the example board.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@Yuyuko_boobs Transparent flex PCBs aren’t new. It’s been available from several companies, but it’s new to JLC. They have some limitations around soldering temperatures, among other things.

More videos: https://t.co/hMVQbwWPcp

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@Beanmin_2 @JLCPCB They say PET. Usually PET doesn’t handle soldering temperatures well but they claim it’s SMT process compatible.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@fishPointer The Engineer PAD-02 set is my preferred tool for most cases. Far better than the cheap tools, but not as expensive as the vendor specific gear. Includes different tool sizes for a range of connectors. https://t.co/lLkd3kVo92

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@kevin2kelly Looks like a carbide-insert cutterhead

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@phethers If you have sticker shock, you’re probably looking at the right thing. It’s not a cheap system. The user manuals would give you an idea of the process they use, though.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@chrysb @joinrosebud For many working at companies with GitHub Enterprise, showing contributions on their profile isn't possible (unless their company admins enable GH connect and some options, which most don't).

The GitHub contributions chart is also easily cheated.

Not a good candidate filter.

[Tom Stokes @tomstokes]

@fishPointer Yeah, we know. Those benchies aren't going to print themselves.