Nuts & Volts - February 2004

Amazing Devices

Anti Gravity Projects All new mini 35 kv 1.5 ma adjustable output power supply with instructions on making a simple craft. GRA1K Kit ......................... $59.95 GRA10 Assembled ............ $99.95

Green Lasers Pointers with Coliminator

10,000 feet plus - Full 5 mw. A real beauty!!

LAPNGR5 Ready to use...$129.95

30 Inch Spark

Tesla Coil

Light weight table top unit is only 35 lbs with air cooled two point spark gap. For 110 or 220 operation. BTC4K Kit ....................... $899.95 B TC40 Assmbld .............. $1199.95 BTC3K Kit 10inch spark .. $349.95

Phaser Pain Field Pistol Experimental device for animal control. Variable and complex output over 130db. Do not point at people! Higher powered and rental units available. PPP1K Kit ......................... $49.95 PPP10 Assembled ............. $79.95

F o r

E l e c t r o n i c s

Burning Laser Ray Gun

Uses our sealed

CO laser tube and

2 high efficiency current source to generate a continous beam capable of lighting fires over distances. Operates 12 vdc with optional inverter for field or 115vac for lab use.

NUTS & VOLTS E v e r y t h i n g

LABURN1 Plans ................. $20.00 (all parts available)

Class IV

Information Unlimited Box 716, Amherst, NH 03031 USA Orders: 1-800-221-1705 Fax: 1-603-672-5406 Email: riannini@metro2000.net Catalog $2.00

Circle #130 on the Reader Service Card.

50

Project

Photo 5. Trim away the excess double-sided tape.

Photo 6. Carefully cut through the overlay for the PCB mounting holes. Attach the PCB with the proper spacers. The membrane switch should now work.

bubbles.)

Finally, PCB flex can be a problem. That is, the PCB flexes instead of the switch closing. This happens if there is too much distance from the switch to the PCB mounting holes. Usually this has to be more than an inch or two. The solution is to add a mounting hole closer to the switch. However, sometimes it is possible to get a switch that needs

less pressure to close.

plays? Yes, windows are easy to make. Just remove the proper area on the paper overlay before applying the package sealing tape. This leaves a window with sticky tape on the inside face. Now, cut a piece of package sealing tape a little larger than the display opening. Carefully attach that to the inside of the window — sticky side to sticky side. No more stick! And the window will be very clear. (Watch out for air

Conclusion

Attractive custom pre-produc-tion membrane switches can be fabricated quickly and cheaply using simple tools and materials. They are water resistant and can be quite thin. Custom switch set-up costs and lead times are eliminated — while giving your project that "pro" feel. NV

Electronics, Mechanics & Computing Principles V8.1

New Internet technology enables us to bring you our latest software at a fraction of the usual price of $160 and so if you're looking for an easy and enjoyable way to learn electronics or just want to keep up-to-date then this is the package for you!

Also a valuable interactive reference tool for hobbyists and engineers, containing more than a thousand electronic, electrical, mechanics, math, computing and PIC microcontroller topics.

www.eptsoft.com

FREE downloadable updates. FREE trial evaluation.

For CD-ROM install add $8.00

This latest V8.1 edition also includes the unique Equation and Graph Editors, plus full color printing, white board technology and a host of other features and even more topics.