11.04.23 Idea for own ESP32 PCB Design
15.04.23 First sketches with KiCad
16.04.23 Idea for physics sensor cube Tux³ and first sketches
17.04.23 Design and order of v0.1 PCB
22.04.23 First prototype and proof of concept
23.04.23 Case v0.1
25.04.23 Design and order of v0.2 PCB
25.04.23 Case v0.2
29.04.23 Software v0.1
03.05.23 Arrival of PCB v0.1 + v0.2
10.05.23 Arrival of all parts for PCB, first working ESP32-C3 board
11.05.23 Order of 30 pcs v0.2 PCB on JLCPCB
12.05.23 Forth ESP32-C3 board completed
13.05.23 Case v0.3
14.05.23 First full prototype → case too small
17.05.23 Case v0.4
21.05.23 ESP32-C3-Tux Mini PCB 20x20mm
22.05.23 Case v0.5
27.05.23 Finished DIY Reflow Heat Plate
31.05.23 Put ESP32-Tux on Tindie and got promotion by hackster.io :-)
03.06.23 Finished 12 ESP32-Tux Dev boards for Tindie orders
This is an idea I had for some time after playing around with the ESP32 together with sensors, micropython and Phyphox. I started designing a PCB by my own for an ESP32-C3 chip. I want it to be as small as possible and also solar powered. The cube should be energy ,self-sufficient' and used for teaching physics.
The cube should have the following sensors:
- Temperature, pressure and humidity sensor → BME280
- Gyroscope for acceleration and orientation measurements → MPU9250
- Optical/Light sensor (measuring Lux) → VEML7700
- 2 connectors for temperature probes (DS18B20)
- Voltage and current meter → INA219
- Time of flight sensor for measuring distances → VL53L1X
- optional: magnetometer & microphone for sound measurements
In addition the cube should have:
- OLED Display for showing current measurement data/sensor
- RGB-LED (e.g. for showing battery status)
- Push button for changing the sensor/measurement
- Solar cell and LiPo battery
- Pin-header for connecting to cube to a breadboard and use the GPIO Pins
- Mounting nut for placing the cube on a tripod
- On/Off-Button
- optional: buzzer for sound output
I aim for a 35x35x35mm cube with 3D printed case. The case should be robust - so that it can fall from a building and be undamaged... Hope to be able to do this project.
My inspiration come from the ESP32-Picoclick-C3, BQ25504 Solar Cell LiPo Charger, 01Space-ESP32-C3 and the Wemos C3 Pico.