The Shed - Electronics

Rescue those versatile stepper motors

10 March 2023

Magnetism is wonderful stuff.
As a way of moving things it has no peer. It has no friction, excessive heat or other unwanted effects, and is easily harnessed in the shed in the guise of stepper motors. These versatile devices have an astonishing range of rotational speeds, from zero to tens of thousands of rpm.
Thanks to the precision of digital control, they can accelerate, decelerate, turn a specific number of times or even minute fractions of a single rotation – all repeatedly and reliably.

A new global distribution agreement between element14 and Analog Devices

6 December 2022

A new global distribution agreement with Analog Devices, an international leader in the semiconductor market, has given element14 the ability to offer its customers an increased range of high-quality products for mixed signal and power management.
The new partnership with element14 will offer fast delivery of the Analog Devices range, including the latest innovative products. The broad portfolio of high-performance analogue, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing integrated circuits is suitable for many types of electronic equipment, helping design engineers to create new solutions for a variety of industries, including automotive, communications, consumer, data centres, and industrial automation.

Positive trends for gender balance in the electronics and engineering industries

30 November 2022

A new survey on global trends affecting women in the engineering/electronics industry has revealed that, although they still face major challenges, there are positive trends that highlight a continued movement towards equal treatment, regardless of gender.
This is the second survey element14 has conducted that is aimed at shedding light on women’s experiences, career paths, wider challenges, and opportunities in the engineering/electronics industry.
The results show that inequality needs to be addressed to achieve the equal treatment of all, and that women around the world remain underrepresented in the industry and continue to experience various forms of sexism and discrimination.
New questions covering discrimination, sexism, and equality were added to the 2022 survey, as these critical issues were noted as key areas in the original 2021 survey analysis.

IoT key driver to growth and leadership opportunities in key industries

22 August 2022

A new global survey on the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) across a wide range of industries has revealed some interesting new trends, including a surge in willingness to use AI in some form, increasing concern about connectivity options, and a willingness to establish partnerships to accelerate the delivery of new IoT solutions.
The Global IoT Survey 2022 was conducted by element14,an Avnet company that specialises in the global distribution of electronic components, products, and solutions — and analysed 2263 qualified responses received between January and March 2022 with the aim of gaining a better understanding of technologies, challenges, and opportunities faced by designers and system integrators of IoT solutions.

element14 – your global technology leader

27 June 2022

Future proof your business and make sure you are ready and fully equipped for all the challenges of tomorrow with global technology leader element14.
Specialising in high service distribution of technology products and solutions for electronic system design, production, maintenance, and repair, element14 draws on years of experience to support its broad customer base. Offering a tailor-made pathway to a range of services and products for everyone from hobbyists to engineers, maintenance engineers, and buyers, it has a track record of working with both leading brands and start-ups to develop new products.

Video of Enrico on the road

25 November 2021

This is a short video of the campervan hi-tech modifications series written by Enrico Miglino as featured in the magazine. This film covers the articles in Issues 98-100

Build your own robot arm

15 November 2021

This article is all about building your own Meccano version of a robot that can be programmed to work just like the big fellas – and you can learn just how challenging real-world robots are to control. The robot arm can be programmed to move small objects from one place to another. It can reach, grab, lift and swivel.

3D Printing

20 May 2021

Here we’re going to use 3D printing to do a modern twist on “lost wax” casting.
It’s a trick that’s more than 5000 years old: make something in wax, bury it in clay or plaster leaving a hole in the shell. Bake the heck out of it to remove the wax and then pour molten metal down the hole. If everything stays together, you get a metal replica of your wax object.

Make your own telescope

7 May 2021

This a project to make a popular Newtonian-design reflector telescope with a Dobsonian mount. The principle of the telescope is to collect light and then magnify the image. The light from a distant object (a star or planet) is gathered by the mirror and brought to a focal point. The eyepiece is used to focus and enlarge the image. By changing the eyepiece, we can increase the magnification and the size of the image. The larger the objective or mirror the more light it can gather and therefore you can use a higher magnification eyepiece.

Fractul (or Lichtenberg) wood burners are not safe, do not build or use

20 December 2020

WorkSafe NZ has contacted The Shed and advised us of two recent deaths of New Zealanders using a Lichtenberg wood burner. They have advised us that these electrical devices are not safe to use and are dangerous.
Do not build or use one of these machines under any circumstances as they are unsafe and can cause fatal injuries.
See this information on the Worksafe website https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-media/fractal-burning/

Electric bikes – taking care of business

12 October 2020

Let’s face it e-bikes are everywhere and they are here to stay. If the thought of extra complications and potential breakdowns are putting you off buying one then you’re not alone. Would you like an e-bike that you can build and maintain yourself?
Something that goes better than most, is easy to service and diagnose with readily available parts and plenty of support is becoming a priority for a lot of people looking for an e-bike that won’t end up as landfill in a few years’ time.

Make a simple vacuum former

21 July 2020

A vacuum former is a very handy piece of equipment to have around the home workshop.
It works quite simply: heated plastic is sucked rapidly and strongly over a pattern or formed shape. As soon as the plastic has set again, it retains the shape.

Simple hydroponics nutrient solution

25 June 2020

Hydroponics is all about growing without soil. In many ways, this simplifies the lot of the gardener, but it gives them added responsibility for providing plants with the right level of nutrients.
As water with nutrients tastes, feels, and looks much the same as plain water, a testing instrument called an “EC meter” or “CF meter” is used.

The Shed July/August 2020 Issue 91, on sale now

15 June 2020

The July/August 2020 issue of The Shed, No. 91, has got something in it for every sheddie.
Even though there is something of a nautical theme to this issue, our cover story is on building a very powerful, vertical, hydraulic log splitter. Bill Stevenson from Christchurch walks us through the construction of his trailer-mounted log-splitting machine that was started prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, worked on during, and completed immediately after. A great effort.

The Shed May/June 2020, Issue 90, is on sale now

30 April 2020

Issue 90 of The Shed has a treat for lovers of fast off-road action. We visit the shed of Cowper Trucks who make world-beating 800hp 4×4 off-road race vehicles. Built strong, tough, and powerful from a shed outside Whanganui, this is automotive engineering at its best.

Electronics