Clearwater Conceptions

03/11/2025

Custom induction heater (reusing a coil from an off the shelf cooktop, and the case to hold the pot above for testing).

05/10/2020

I did not know that is how you share updates. Thanks Facebook for reminding me every hour so that I can learn this important lesson!

With my new knowledge, I was able to share this update.

03/24/2020

More pictures of the progress of the prototype CNC controller. It is all ready for some more rigorous testing.

More details here: https://www.clearwaterconceptions.com/cnc-controller-prototype/

03/19/2020

Multi-axis servo control system prototype. Made a mistake on one module - no big deal, because the others work great. Leaving only one sub-set of the system to be updated for the next prototype.

After each of these circuits are made sure to function well with the client's equipment a custom PCB with all parts integrated together will be made with high-confidence. Meanwhile these modules can be used to prototype other designs or changes to the final product.

Due to the modular nature problems found during testing can be fixed more easily without having to potentially revision or populate a whole new PCB with all the circuits integrated on it. If one of the power drivers were to fail, for example, revising that module or bypassing it with another solution will be a lot easier and cleaner than trying to modify a PCB with the whole system on it.

Overview of modules:
Top row are 3 DC-DC power supplies and a main 36V input. Voltage rails: 36V, 24V, 12V, 5V.

Raspberry Pi for UI and some general control (not hooked up yet).

(right middle) Arduino Mega for real-time control of up to 6 servos and multiple sensors. (only 3 servos for this initial prototype).

(left middle) 4-channel sensor input using 3-pin Molex Mini-Fit Jr connectors which supply power to the sensors and bring back the open-collector output of the sensors. Jumper-selection per-channel to select either 5V or a secondary power rail to go out to the sensor (in this case 24V). LED indicators for each channel. Based on discreet transistors, passives, and schmitt triggers.

(left bottom) 2x 4-channel solenoid drivers (stacked). This operate up to 36V and 0.25A per channel and use a highly-integrated high-side mosfet to reliably operate inductive loads. These use a 2-pin Molex Mini-Fit Jr connector per channel. LED indicators for each channel, status feedback, and overall disable for all channels. Based on VNQ860-E by STMicroelectronics.

(middle bottom) 3-channel servo interface which connects to up to 3 custom servo adapter boards using the same Molex Mini-Fit Jr series of connectors (8-pin in this case). Unfortunately a pinout mistake happened so I had to re-wire each connection on each pin in a different order. These provide buffering for signals going in and out of the servo motor (iHSS57-36-20 https://www.jmc-motor.com/product/973.html). This connects to the adapter board and also provides means to route back a signal for a homing sensor plus 5V power out to power the sensor. Based on discreet transistors, passives, and schmitt triggers.

(right bottom) 4-channel high-power high-side integrated switch for powering and turning on/off the servo motors. Using 2-pin Molex Mega-Fit connectors for higher power capability plus to ensure they don't get mixed up with the 2-pin solenoid connectors. Based on BTS6163DAUMA1 by Infineon Technologies.

(far right bottom) servo adapter board which mounts in place of the discreet wiring connectors on the servo motor allowing ease of assembly, replacement, and routing of a homing sensor. Homing sensor connector uses the same 3-pin connector and pinout as the sensor input module. There is also an opening in the middle of the PCB to allow the LEDs of the servo to show through.

Blog post: https://www.clearwaterconceptions.com/cnc-controller-prototype/

02/17/2020

We just added a new kit to make it easy to get started on our most popular case. $110 to get started making prototypes in a beautiful case that can be easily reused or modified.

https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com/products/instrument-case-modular-electronics-starter-kit

You can design your custom PCB or hand-make your circuit any size or shape you want then easily attach it to the module backplane and insert it into the case to be off and running. Stop designing your electronics around a form-factor that constrains you.

We still have a few more uses available for our FBINTRO 15% off discount. Just enter in the code at checkout.

02/14/2020

In this video I am doing a quick introduction to some new modules before they are ready for sale. Then I walk through wiring up some power supplies using soldered hook connections on turret terminals.

Note that this video is essentially unedited, in real time.

I apologize for the quiet audio and the cold.

In this video I am doing a quick introduction to some new modules before they are ready for sale. Then I walk through wiring up some power supplies using sol...

02/13/2020

New stuff preview (available in 1-2 days):

3-Term Regulator - https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com/products/3-term-regulator

Arduino Adapter - https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com/products/arduino-adapter

Backplane 8x11 - https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com/products/backplane-8x11

Dual Integrated High-side Switch ST VND7E040AJ - https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com/products/dual-integrated-high-side-switch-st-vnd7e040aj

Molex Mini-Fit Jr 5566 2x4 - https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com/products/molex-mini-fit-jr-5566-2x4

MW NID100 DC-DC Module - https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com/products/mw-nid100-dc-dc-module

Quad Opto-isolator - https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com/products/quad-opto-isolator

After some testing we'll make these available on the store. Check back as soon as tomorrow.

(These are the first articles assembled, final products may be slightly different, standoffs for Arduino will be shorter)

02/12/2020

Business card PCB’s came in today! They fit the standard for ID and credit cards so they slide well in wallets and other holders. I’ve always found that traditional business card size is a pain to put in a wallet. They are also the proper thickness.

Additionally, they mount on our modular system making a grate badge for demonstrations and trade shows.

In the next rev I’ll need to do something a bit different. The smallest text is too small to be practical. It is clear, but the size forces you to strain to read it.

Would be easy for you to create a similar badge for your own prototypes and projects.

Here is the standard sizing for reference: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_7810

02/06/2020

Made a new video introducing the electronics prototyping system. This one is more approachable for our fast paced world. Only 1 min long compared to 13 min of my first video.

A modular system for quickly creating professional robust prototypes Securely attach a variety of off the shelf modules to a solid backplane that can be move...

01/06/2020

We made an introductory video for our modular prototyping system. This should help clarify what it is all about.

https://youtu.be/V62RXOjF1nY
See https://store.clearwaterconceptions.com to look at available modules.

In this video, we introduce our modular electronics prototyping system. The foundation of this system is a simple 0.5" mounting grid for electronic modules. ...