Newer
Older
- Compile `OldRoCo` [repo](https://git.uclalemur.com/mehtank/oldroco)
- Record of modification:
- ++line 8 of `vstart.sh`
- --> `pip install -r requirements.txt --user`
- Export `paperbot` dxf file : `graph-silhouette.dxf` to `OnShape`
- Record of Tips:
- Onshape does not read dxf file as its own saved unit. Manual settings needed when import.
- Draw circuit diagram as CAD on `Onshape`
- Multiple connection approaches:
- `Cross` shape of `0.039 in`
- `Cross` shape of `0.049 in`
- `Octangular` shape of `0.049 in`
- 
- 
- Note and issue:
- `Octangular` shape is the best connection approach so far, but none of approach has stable conductivity. More research is needed.
- Scratches can be made easily when attaching microcontroller to the sheet. Potential disconnection may occur due to such scratches on metal layer.
- Export 2D CAD drawing with PCB to SVG for silhouette cameo
- Record of Tips:
- `OnShape` unit need to be consisted with unit setting in `Inkscape` (default: mm)
- Plugin `Inkscape-silhouette` cannot take multiple types of trace for cutting.
- Different trace (especially cut and etching) need to be sent separately. Use `coordinate tool` of `Inkscape` to ensure separated cuts have same origin.
- TODO:
- Cut and etching from same `Inkscape` file
##### Connection and fabrication approach confirmed !
- Confirm that copper tape has better conductivity than aluminum sheet when attaching microcontroller pins through `H-shape` cut
- Copper tape is harder to be scratched, which provides less risk of disconnection during assembly.
- Etching on copper type isolates connections
- Research on PCB editor
- EAGLE
- EAGLE cannot import `.pcb` file
- `svg` can be exported but not imported
- Custom library needed if doing schematic design
- KiCad
- Can import `.pcb` file
- `svg` can be exported but not imported
- LayoutEditor
- support multiply file type
- `svg` can be exported with different color makers as multiple layers
- include open-sourced auto-router `freerouting`
- Auto-routing package:
- TopoR
- Python-PCB
- FreeRouting
- `A`. convert SVG/DXF file to schematic/board design of PCB. Use KiCAD or EAGLE to do auto routing.
- `B`. develop algorithm on auto routing for single layer svg/dxf file. (path finding problem)
- Use regular shape board for PCB in EAGLE/KiCAD
- image processing: divide the shape of `paperbot` to multiple rectangles (ezdxf)
- Pull required connections and place additional header pins around edges of each rectangle
- Make each connection pin to be two parallel connections so auto-router does parallel trace for each wiring.
- Etching a pair of parallel trace provides isolation, and leave the space between traces to be conductible.
- Build Library for schematic design
- Schematic design helps with router to know desired connection
##### Approach `B`
- Potential needed functions of packages
- A script that pulls out pins' coordinate on paper chassis
- Or a image process package (OpenCV) that reads pins' coordinate on paper chassis
- A package solves multi-node path finding problem*
##### Record of Research
- Python Pathfinding package:
- [pathfinding](https://pypi.org/project/pathfinding/#description)
- Python DXF editor:
- [ezdxf](https://pypi.org/project/ezdxf/)
- [dxfgrabber](https://pypi.org/project/dxfgrabber/)
- `Note`: able to grab simple geometry from file
- [sdxf](http://www.kellbot.com/sdxf-python-library-for-dxf/)
- Going through tutorials of `ezdxf`
- All lines on paper space`layer0`
### 07/01/2019 (Mon)
- Continue the dxf processing with `'graph-silhouette.dxf'`
##### Record of tips:
- Put circuit design on a new layer of dxf drawing
- [check doc about layers here](https://ezdxf.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/layers.html)
- Use block feature to draw similar pattern
- [check doc about block here](https://ezdxf.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/blocks.html)
- Blocks are `symbol` in Inkscape. Convert `symbol` to `path`
- Edit > Clone > Unlink Clone (Shift+Alt+D), and you have a group, ungroup (Object > Ungroup, or Shift+Ctrl+G) and edit
- Convert `text` to `path`
- Path combine (Ctrl+K)
- msp.delete_enetity('__') to remove existing entity
- Test fabrication with different drawing settings
- Layers can be cut separately by toggling visibility
- Set cuts with same `intensity` and `feedrate` on same layer
- Entities' layer can be changed through `Entity.dxf.layer`
### 07/02/2019 (Tue)
- Continue the dxf processing
- Following tasks can be completed by running the code:
- Able to detect pin center coordinate
- Able to draw arbitrary shape around the pin center
- 
- - Issue & TODO
- Convert dxf image to matrix
- Explore `pathfinding` package
- `pathfinding` package solve path finding problem by shortest path algorithm, one point to another
- To solve multiple nodes problem, use concept from reinforcement learning
- Build Q function that represents total reward of choosing certain path to be solved first
- Update Q function in a loop with certain amount of episodes
- Choose the order of solving paths randomly, and add possibility of choosing it from Q function
- Exploration-exploitation method
- To solve the problem "convert dxf to matrix" for pathfinding:
- Have tried:
- Export to `png` and read file by `OpenCV`
- Resolution problem: single point does not represented as a pixel in `png`
- TODO:
- create an empty matrix and fill in numbers with the information of each lines' start and end point
### 07/03/2019 (Wed)
- dxf processing completed
- Convert dxf to matrix with resolution (270X210) (mm)
- Potential issue:
- the `pathfinding` package is based on pixel
- When round up the line's start and end point, the accuracy of pin position is low
- Apply single point to point path finding
- Able to draw the path on matrix
- Able to draw the path on original dxf file
- TODO:
- Write out algorithm for muli-node path finding
- break single circuit trace to parallel traces
- solve the accuracy problem