<azonenberg>
So it looks like the new probe shell in black nylon 12, with no glass infill, is $10 per unit
<azonenberg>
this is using hp's Multi-Jet Fusion process which involves inkjet deposition of fusing agents followed by heating
<bvernoux>
ha great
<azonenberg>
shapeways's SLS process is unavailable because I have 0.6mm wall thickness around the probe holder
<azonenberg>
the minimum is 0.7 mm
<bvernoux>
ha bad just for 0.1mm !!
<azonenberg>
They also have gray SLA (photopolymer) resin, which produces much smoother surface finishes that in some cases approach injection-molded quality
<azonenberg>
and can go down to 0.4mm walls
<azonenberg>
But this is $33.87
<azonenberg>
I'm contemplating offering this as an additional, premium enclosure option on the high end editions of the probes with the traceable cal
<azonenberg>
since, at the markup i'm offering, i can afford more expensive material
<azonenberg>
Ordering a single prototype of each to evaluate
<azonenberg>
The MJF glass-filled nylon process i used for the first-run prototypes has an 0.75mm minimum
<azonenberg>
so that's no longer an option with the new probe body design
<bvernoux>
When I think you can have premium anodized aluminum for less thann10USD ...
<bvernoux>
but that requires to pay at least 500USD for a mould so it is only interesting if you are planning to do 500units or more
<azonenberg>
i don't think this part can be made out of aluminum easily
<azonenberg>
long, skinny, with a high aspect ratio hole through the middle
<bvernoux>
I have a partner which do everything ;)
<azonenberg>
it would have to be extruded then machined or something
<bvernoux>
I provide 3D file and they do
<bvernoux>
including a nice logo engraving
<_whitenotifier-3>
[starshipraider] azonenberg pushed 1 commit to master [+1/-0/±0] https://git.io/Jvjm5
<_whitenotifier-3>
[starshipraider] azonenberg 787e92d - Added new probe shell
<azonenberg>
If you want to submit a quote just for kicks, go export the solvespace file i just pushed to step or stl or whatever they want
<bvernoux>
yes the requires step/stl
<azonenberg>
i wont be ready to do a volume order until the 3d printed prototypes are back, for sure
<bvernoux>
for quotation
<azonenberg>
but it would be nice to have a price just to know
<bvernoux>
I can show you results on my custom cases
<bvernoux>
it is done in 1 piece
<bvernoux>
fully custom
<bvernoux>
it is interesting to compare anyway as it cost tooling before to start anything...
<azonenberg>
i cannot do a prototype with shapeways aluminum either
<azonenberg>
they have a 1mm minimum wall thickness for SLM production
<bvernoux>
it is why shapeway is better for test parts as price is a bit expensive but it include all ...
<bvernoux>
ha yes I shall check the minimum wall thickness
<azonenberg>
same with steel
<bvernoux>
ha even with steel it is crazy
<azonenberg>
yeah it's actually not pure steel
<azonenberg>
it's 60% steel / 40% bronze
<azonenberg>
They can do lost wax copper down to 0.6 mm
<azonenberg>
it's expensive, $193 for a single prototype of my shell
<bvernoux>
Do you have tried 3D metal printing service ?
<azonenberg>
No
<azonenberg>
i've only done SLS and MJF nylon
<bvernoux>
IIRc there are expensive but they can do anything ...
<azonenberg>
Bronze can go down to 0.6 mm wall thickness too
<bvernoux>
I'm waiting affordable 3D metal printer ;)
<azonenberg>
and is cheaper, $137
<bvernoux>
it will be amazing if they could be cheap ;)
<azonenberg>
that looks like the most affordable option if i want to do a conductive prototype to test EM performance on my design
<azonenberg>
Since i'd be worried about coupling noise into it or changing impedances etc
<azonenberg>
a conductive test shell is a must before i'd consider using one in prod
<bvernoux>
yes
<bvernoux>
other option is SLA with conductive paint too
<bvernoux>
it works very nicely IIRC
<bvernoux>
some do horn antenna with that
<bvernoux>
and the caracteristics are nice
<azonenberg>
honestly, my plan for the moment is to use MJF nylon for basic small volume, SLA acrylic for high-end low volume
<azonenberg>
apply a spray-on antistatic finish to both
<azonenberg>
then if i get the demand, switch to injection molding of carbon-doped plastic for higher volume
<bvernoux>
yes it is great
<bvernoux>
for clean finish you can also apply some special solvent to have smooth surface
<bvernoux>
with same material (for higher end version for example)
<bvernoux>
as for the cheapest version I think we do not care as that add work/time just to have something which look nicer
<azonenberg>
yeah
<azonenberg>
if you really want high end
<azonenberg>
for $204 shapeways will do 18k electroplated gold on brass :P
<azonenberg>
although that won't work with this shell because it has an 0.8mm minimum thickness
<bvernoux>
hehe
<bvernoux>
the minimum thikness is bad !!
<azonenberg>
they can make it out of gold for $3549 :p
<bvernoux>
haha
<azonenberg>
or platinum for $8843
<bvernoux>
crazy
<azonenberg>
or sandstone for $11.64
<azonenberg>
because who doesn't want their probe made out of rock? :p
<bvernoux>
it is not a probe but a jewel ;)
<bvernoux>
sandstone could be nice but will break ;)
<azonenberg>
ook so let's think. probe pcb sent to fab for quote, probe shell ordered, stencil ordered
<azonenberg>
AFE prototype components/stencil here, PCB arriving early next week
<azonenberg>
ADC board components/stencil here, PCB still at fab
<azonenberg>
scope enclosure and front panel LCD here so i can tinker with board floorplans etc
<azonenberg>
VNA ordered
<bvernoux>
nice lot of things in //
<bvernoux>
I have found a small error in latest probe
<Degi>
Whoops my laptop OS crapped itself after an update
<Degi>
From 5.5.3 to 5.6.3 kernel...
<Famine->
Degi, how about a trade, i'll fix your laptop if you read 200 pages of tax law for me lol
<Degi>
Nvm fixed, probably cause no lvm2 hook in mkinitcpio
futarisIRCcloud has quit [Quit: Connection closed for inactivity]
<lain>
arch?
<Degi>
Yeh
<Degi>
Somehow the mkinitcpio had no lvm2, now it works though
<Degi>
Huh there's yellow spots all over the balcony from a chemical fuckup a while ago... I think its iron chloride leftovers.
<lain>
o.o
bvernoux has quit [Quit: Leaving]
Famine- has quit [Read error: Connection reset by peer]
<Degi>
In retrospect, I should've put a ATMega32u4 instead of 328 onto the PCIe adapter. Would work as USB to Serial bridge
<Degi>
Hm I have a I think well preserved HDD head here... Maybe I could try to design a magnetic probe around that, that'd be fun heh
<azonenberg>
it may not be as well preserved as you think
<azonenberg>
from what i hear hdd heads are SUPER esd sensitive
<Degi>
huh
<azonenberg>
like hundreds of volts esd will kill them
<azonenberg>
vs modern ICs are typically esd protected to high single or low double digit kV
<Degi>
Hm I didnt extract it yet its attached to the arm
<Degi>
I think the ECP5 SERDES also only has like 250 or 500 V lol
futarisIRCcloud has joined #scopehal
<lain>
fun fact: many (most?) autofocus camera lenses have magnetically-encoded position data along the focusing group barrel, which is read by a GMR sensor (same as a hdd head) to detect the focus position
<Degi>
Is it possible to buy RF GMR sensors somewhere?
<lain>
this is important to know when repairing lenses, because touching that sensor is death to it, and they aren't easy to find from what I hear
<Degi>
Hm ok this one is probs dead too
<azonenberg>
so it looks like perpendicular-to-plane GMR sensors can survive "much higher" ESD voltages
<azonenberg>
i.e. 160V
<azonenberg>
while 48V ESD will kill a current-in-plane sensor
<azonenberg>
apparently ESD is the main source of yield loss
<Degi>
huh
<azonenberg>
48V ESD is so tiny you wont even get *close* to feeling it
<lain>
yeah wow lol
<monochroma>
12V ESD zap zap :3
<lain>
1V ESD good luck powering it :<
<azonenberg>
lain: so i think i am going to spec the probe for 0-95C absolute max
<azonenberg>
and 15-45C recommended
<lain>
that sounds very reasonable
<azonenberg>
then specify tolerances for gain, resistance, etc based on the 15-45C range
<azonenberg>
with the cal certificate issued at about 23C or so