A minor thing, but a big time/back ache saver when you can't get right over the stencil to crank the alignment micrometer adjustments just so: https://i.imgur.com/JJGdc5L.jpg This is a 1.6x3.2mm 4-resistor network. -- Best regards, Spehro Pefhany
Using a cheap USB microscope for paste stencil alignment
Started by ●January 5, 2022
Reply by ●January 10, 20222022-01-10
On 1/5/2022 8:42 AM, Spehro Pefhany wrote:> > A minor thing, but a big time/back ache saver when you can't get right > over the stencil to crank the alignment micrometer adjustments just > so: > > https://i.imgur.com/JJGdc5L.jpg > > This is a 1.6x3.2mm 4-resistor network.I use this: <http://ablezone.com/az.asp?q_gotoID=vm-evs-flipper> the "with virtual glasses" model. It's kinda weird having your head pointed in a completely different direction from what you are "looking at" *and* having the image stay in your field of vision regardless of how you move your head! Helpful when soldering, also, as you can turn your head to get away from the fumes and still have your eyes focused on your work. Beats being glued to a stereoscope or mantis.
Reply by ●January 10, 20222022-01-10
On Sun, 9 Jan 2022 23:07:48 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:>On 1/5/2022 8:42 AM, Spehro Pefhany wrote: >> >> A minor thing, but a big time/back ache saver when you can't get right >> over the stencil to crank the alignment micrometer adjustments just >> so: >> >> https://i.imgur.com/JJGdc5L.jpg >> >> This is a 1.6x3.2mm 4-resistor network. > >I use this: > <http://ablezone.com/az.asp?q_gotoID=vm-evs-flipper> >the "with virtual glasses" model. > >It's kinda weird having your head pointed in a completely >different direction from what you are "looking at" *and* >having the image stay in your field of vision regardless >of how you move your head! > >Helpful when soldering, also, as you can turn your head >to get away from the fumes and still have your eyes focused >on your work. Beats being glued to a stereoscope or mantis.That's a different price range for sure (maybe 100x more), but comparable to a good stereo microscope. I take it there is no perceptible lag in the glasses? I experimented with using cameras on stands about 10-15 years ago using cameras with video output, but the lag made it useless for doing anything but inspection. There's a spare HDMI input on the 50"-ish screen I'm typing this on now, I wonder what it would cost for a 4K video camera on a stand with an illuminator. The other issue with inspection is depth of field, it's hard to tilt the item to get a look at the sides of things where subtle issues sometimes hide. I 3D printed a fume extractor using a PC fan salvaged from a dead power supply and some Aliexpress carbon filter material. No more fumes curling up towards your face. It doesn't take much air flow. Pretty quiet when you run a 12V fan from 9VDC too. -- Best regards, Spehro Pefhany
Reply by ●January 10, 20222022-01-10
[snip]> > There's a spare HDMI input on the 50"-ish screen I'm typing this on > now, I wonder what it would cost for a 4K video camera on a stand with > an illuminator.[snip] Hi Sphero, i'm curious too, so I looked a quick search on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/HAYEAR-Industrial-Microscope-Machine-Soldering%EF%BC%9BPC/dp/B08JCHVGDR $190.90 I've not purchased one yet, but once I get back in the lab maybe... it is very enticing. Even if there are QC problems, at least returning it via Amazon is an option. Please let us know if you jump on this = RS
Reply by ●January 10, 20222022-01-10
On Monday, January 10, 2022 at 3:35:42 PM UTC, Rich S wrote:> [snip] > > > > There's a spare HDMI input on the 50"-ish screen I'm typing this on > > now, I wonder what it would cost for a 4K video camera on a stand with > > an illuminator. > [snip] > > Hi Sphero,* Spehro (sorry) you are a hero to some, I'm sure!
Reply by ●January 10, 20222022-01-10
On 1/10/2022 5:08 AM, Spehro Pefhany wrote:> On Sun, 9 Jan 2022 23:07:48 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> > wrote: > >> On 1/5/2022 8:42 AM, Spehro Pefhany wrote: >>> >>> A minor thing, but a big time/back ache saver when you can't get right >>> over the stencil to crank the alignment micrometer adjustments just >>> so: >>> >>> https://i.imgur.com/JJGdc5L.jpg >>> >>> This is a 1.6x3.2mm 4-resistor network. >> >> I use this: >> <http://ablezone.com/az.asp?q_gotoID=vm-evs-flipper> >> the "with virtual glasses" model. >> >> It's kinda weird having your head pointed in a completely >> different direction from what you are "looking at" *and* >> having the image stay in your field of vision regardless >> of how you move your head! >> >> Helpful when soldering, also, as you can turn your head >> to get away from the fumes and still have your eyes focused >> on your work. Beats being glued to a stereoscope or mantis. > > That's a different price range for sure (maybe 100x more), but > comparable to a good stereo microscope.I wasn't commenting on the price. And, I suspect the price in the ad was bogus (most assistive technology is incredibly over-priced -- for reasons that I've yet to sort out -- e.g. my electric wheelchairs "list" north of $40K and, surely, no one pays that much for such a thing!) As I'm heavily invested in "assistive technology", this is just one of many such "aids" I've acquired over the years. Of course, "magnification" is one of the things that such devices provide to visually impaired. Actually *using* them (even if for uses they weren't originally intended) is the only way to understand what it must be like for folks who *rely* on them. So, I try to find uses just to learn to deal with their quirks... [I've got a neat handheld "magnifying glass" that can manipulate color for enhanced contrast -- and take snapshots at the same time.]> I take it there is no perceptible lag in the glasses? I experimented > with using cameras on stands about 10-15 years ago using cameras with > video output, but the lag made it useless for doing anything but > inspection.No. But turning your head is a very difficult experience to become accustomed to as the image doesn't move in your field of vision. Not only is it discomforting, but it confuses as you instinctively move your head to gain a different view of a target and that just doesn't happen. You have to, instead, remember to move your *hand* to reposition the camera. With the mantis or stereoscope, you were more conscious of this (because you had a big hulking device in front of you that limited your head's motion) [As I said, using them is the only way you can appreciate what their use is like!]> There's a spare HDMI input on the 50"-ish screen I'm typing this on > now, I wonder what it would cost for a 4K video camera on a stand with > an illuminator.For a while, I had a camera that would screw onto (one of) the eyepieces on my stereoscope. It wasn't as useful as I had hoped (I was displaying the output on a large monitor so the image "felt" too large). All of the solutions I've tried suffered from not lending themselves to *capturing* the image(s). So, if I found a problem, I couldn't easily document it as I'm just viewing live video in each case (your microscope solution shouldn't? suffer from this)> The other issue with inspection is depth of field, it's hard to tilt > the item to get a look at the sides of things where subtle issues > sometimes hide.Yes. The "flipper" has a respectable inherent depth of field (in terms of focus) -- unlike the stereoscope. So, I can tip the object or the camera to get a view from a slight angle. "Eyes" would be better as we already (instinctively) know how to move our heads/bodies to gain the vantage point we seek. All of these other approaches feel like "wearing gloves"... maybe "mittens" is a more appropriate analogy!> I 3D printed a fume extractor using a PC fan salvaged from a dead > power supply and some Aliexpress carbon filter material. No more fumes > curling up towards your face. It doesn't take much air flow. Pretty > quiet when you run a 12V fan from 9VDC too.Yeah, if I did this sort of thing more often, I'd make space for a "proper" (re)workstation. But, I try to clear off a corner of a workbench and squeeze into that spot, "temporarily". This was what led me to replace the stereoscope (and, then the mantis) with the little video gizmo -- it takes up very little space when deployed. Leister is, unfortunately, a bit of a bulky piece esp when you make room for the holder, paste dispenser, etc. Plus lab supply, DSO, logic analyzer, etc. But, I don't want to be in that business (and only do so, begrudgingly, because I can't *buy* the prototypes off-the-shelf) [My "solution" has been to coerce colleagues to have most of my prototype assembly done on their production lines -- by people who actually know what they are doing and have the resources to do it! So, my efforts reduce to a secondary inspection and touch-up -- if I suspect something isn't working as it should (hence the need to be able to take photos)]
Reply by ●January 10, 20222022-01-10
On Mon, 10 Jan 2022 07:37:42 -0800 (PST), Rich S <richsulinengineer@gmail.com> wrote:>On Monday, January 10, 2022 at 3:35:42 PM UTC, Rich S wrote: >> [snip] >> > >> > There's a spare HDMI input on the 50"-ish screen I'm typing this on >> > now, I wonder what it would cost for a 4K video camera on a stand with >> > an illuminator. >> [snip] >> >> Hi Sphero, > >* Spehro (sorry) >you are a hero to some, I'm sure!I thought, with the covid lockups, you were mocking my waistline. --sp -- Best regards, Spehro Pefhany
