DNA20 mod using the on-board buttons

[DrMA]

Has anybody built one? I see a lot of DNA20 mods with remote/off-board switches, but can't find any that uses the nifty built in buttons.

Looking for some ideas...
- source of actuators
- mounting & securing the PCB inside the box

Thanks.

 

[trevor148]

I've been looking for a mounting solution for a while now. I found these guys for the screws.
new link for m1 screws

I was hoping to find some mounting post like you use for mounting a desktop motherboard but I haven't had any luck finding any that small.

Edit: changed the link to some m1 screws

 

[trevor148]

Did a little more searching and found these.
Stand-off screws for mounting

edit: those are not small enough I'm looking at some other mounting solutions.

 

[bapgood]

I think PEM has some small hardware

I wouldn't call my current dna mod snazzy by any means, but I'm using the on board buttons...well kinda

I didn't like the feel of the fire button so I switched it out with one from radio shack.

The adjustment buttons are ok....not a ton of feedback....but since they aren't used a ton and the screen displays the setting they are fine IMO.

Don't judge.....I'm waiting on the 3D printer at work to show up for a proper enclosure

 

[bapgood]

Trevor, if you are planning on attaching through the solder holes, I think you will 1mm hardware....if memory serves

 

[trevor148]

Yes I remembered that but those metric parts all have sizes that say m and a number. I don't know what 1mm would be labeled. I found a few charts that explain it but they were just as cryptic to me.

 

[bapgood]

Yes I remembered that but those metric parts all have sizes that say m and a number. I don't know what 1mm would be labeled. I found a few charts that explain it but they were just as cryptic to me.

Hmmm....I thought M3 was 3mm

 

[trevor148]

Then why cant they just label it 3mm diameter so idiots like me dont get confused

 

[bapgood]

Then why cant they just label it 3mm diameter so idiots like me dont get confused

lol....I wouldn't say that....it's easy if you know

We can't say much because we #2-#10 screws as well as fractional, decimal, and then there is the silly lettered drill bits....with overlap and etc

 

[trevor148]

Finding a decent standoff or insert at 1 mm is a pain. I'm starting to think it would be easier to grab a jewelers tap and die set and make them. That is probably a terrible idea.

 

[bapgood]

Finding a decent standoff or insert at 1 mm is a pain. I'm starting to think it would be easier to grab a jewelers tap and die set and make them. That is probably a terrible idea.

If it is I had the same one....but I haven't looked into taps yet

You can use a small inch screw/standoff but I doubt they are any easier to find.

 

[DrMA]

You don't wanna be playing with M1 hardware anyway. I have to deal with it on some of my small helicopters and they are a huge pain for anybody with fingers bigger than a 4-yr old. Even M1.5 is pretty difficult. I will not consider anything smaller than M2.

For mounting the DNA20 PCB, I was considering something along the lines of heavy duty double-sided mounting tape (3M 4011) or hot glue, not the tiny hardware. I was thinking of building appropriate standoffs from epoxy putty or Sugru.

I think PEM has some small hardware

I wouldn't call my current DNA mod snazzy by any means, but I'm using the on board buttons...well kinda

I didn't like the feel of the fire button so I switched it out with one from radio shack.

The adjustment buttons are ok....not a ton of feedback....but since they aren't used a ton and the screen displays the setting they are fine IMO.

Don't judge.....I'm waiting on the 3D printer at work to show up for a proper enclosure

Very nice. Thanks for sharing. I see you're not using actuators, rather pressing the buttons directly... I'm looking for a way to mount the DNA20 inside a box and use some thru-hole actuators to get at the buttons.

 

[asdaq]

Hey don't knock the metric system for being confusing, M is for metric and the number is for what size hole a screw will fit through. An 'x 0.5' following designates thread pitch, but that is not always listed. M1.6 x 0.35 is about as small as you will find, and you can get these from Ace Hardware or Fastenal.

The DNA's 1mm hole likely is not for screws and standoffs, but rather soldered posts. These here on the PTN04050c are pins made from nickel plated copper I believe, and have a 1mm shaft, a ~2mm shoulder and a 1mm pin that goes in the board (DNA too). They are well documented in Ti's literature and I desolder them first thing as I solder components directly through the remaining throughhole. These here are part of the circuit, but the DNA just would use them for mounting.

 

[bapgood]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing. I see you're not using actuators, rather pressing the buttons directly... I'm looking for a way to mount the DNA20 inside a box and use some thru-hole actuators to get at the buttons.

Thanks, this is just temporary I'm waiting for the 3D printer my employer ordered to come in to make an enclosure for one of my DNA's and I want to to do something steampunk for my other. Both will probably use buttons I will make to actuate remote mounted tact switches.

I think most are using the methods you described for mounting the DNA board.

PEM does have some micro hardware down to M1

http://www.pemnet.com/fastening_products/micro.html

 

[asdaq]

I found M1.6 to match #0-80, so just some caution there. I think the longest size is 1/2". Eyeglass screws are even smaller, but I think a different system, and if you want really tiny, watch screws are out there, but not very long.

 

[trevor148]

I updated my first reply last night with a link to an ebay seller with m1 screws 5mm long. I also found a link on google for m1 jackscrews but their website wasn't showing any products. I sent them a message to see if they are still open.

 

[DrMA]

Here we go. This is what I'm looking for:

What are these things really called? and where can I buy one?
New Tech & Product Reviews « DMStudios' Digital Playground

 

[bapgood]

Here we go. This is what I'm looking for:
View attachment 182399
What are these things really called? and where can I buy one?
New Tech & Product Reviews « DMStudios' Digital Playground

lol....You got me but I bought some springs to make some very similiar....I hadn't seen anything I just knew what I wanted, but I ended going other routes.

But I have mostly went away from trying to use the on board buttons....Between the display and the buttons it starts to get really limiting. For what I have planned I will just take the on board fire button off to save some room.

These are pretty sweet little tact switches...KSJ0M21180SHLFT for C&K Components | Arrow Electronics Components

I made some button to fit over some radio shack tact switch on one of my mock ups.

 

[westy78]

I'm thinking of mounting the DNA in my wood mod in between a sandwich of semi-springy foam similar to this. It would be layered up like this: wood wall (with cutout for display), DNA display, foam, DNA board, foam, opposite wood wall. It would be friction-fit inside the wood tube.

I think this might also protect the board from shock to some degree if the mod is dropped. The disadvantage would be that if dropped, the mod might have to be opened up to reposition things if things got off kilter.

Anybody using this method?

 

[MattBott]

I'm thinking of mounting the DNA in my wood mod in between a sandwich of semi-springy foam similar to this. It would be layered up like this: wood wall (with cutout for display), DNA display, foam, DNA board, foam, opposite wood wall. It would be friction-fit inside the wood tube.

I think this might also protect the board from shock to some degree if the mod is dropped. The disadvantage would be that if dropped, the mod might have to be opened up to reposition things if things got off kilter.

Anybody using this method?

I like this idea. Maybe add a couple dabs of hot glue to hold everything in place if it gets dropped a little.