My electronics education project startup- AL. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: PDJsaint_helens
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 16, 2023, 03:59:37 am
content: Hi,I have been designing circuits for many years. I came up with a fun project that uses many sub-circuits I often use in other designs. This project is used as a reference for me and a learning tool for others. This project is specifically designed for students, professionals, and the curious makers to teach circuit design, logic, and programming.This project uses regular 74HC and 40 chips, amplifiers, etc. to do complicated tasks. There is no software, code, or firmware. All program instructions are hardwired to show how easy and simple it is to design controllers for any project.The project goal is to get PCBs made and distribute them as a kit or assembled. Issues are capital and marketing. So I have created a kickstarter campaign to raise capital and I am here to seek your help in getting this information out there.I know it sounds lame but kickstarter collects 5 to 10% of gross for posting the campaign only. They do not offer any help with marketing.So please look at my campaign because I know that if others learn these techniques it could open a lot of possibilities. This will be an open-source project once the goal is reached.The circuits emulate a simple life form, so the project is call "The AL Project".The link for this project is in the attached file.Please let me know if it would be OK for me to share this link with others here. I would appreciate your feedback on how best to get the word out to those interested in electronics. Anything you can do, or any advice would be greatly appreciated.Best regards,Phil

author: bidrohini
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 02:30:38 am
content: It will be more helpful for potential customers if you add some projects done with the module.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 05:22:27 pm
content: I think you should take this at least one step further before asking for funding via Kickstarter. Have a small batch of your custom PCBs actually produced so you can show these in the video, instead of the big-mess-of-wires setup. You seem to have done the design work already, so what stands in the way of having 10 PCBs made and populating a couple of them?Then write a few sample lessons/project descriptions, and format them nicely as they would be in the final user manual, to give people an idea what working with your kit would actually be like.Thengo public on Kickstarter.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 07:22:52 pm
content: Oh, one more thing. I am really confused by your description how to develop with AL:QuoteHow would I do the "develop the circuit design, select ICs, breadboard..." with the AL board, where all the IC choices and most of (or all?) the circuit connections have already been made?In fact, howdoI configure the AL board for a particular project?? On the PCB rendering you show, I can't spot any patch fields, pluggable jumper wires, or rows of jumpers or DIP switches?As suggested in my prior post, I think yo really need a couple of fully worked-out, nicely documented example projects to give potential backers an idea what they would be getting. Alotof the value of such educational kits lies in the well-thought-out projects and instructions.EDIT: Oh, and your funding target seems quite high for making a PCB populated with low-cost components. $95k? What initial batch size were you thinking of? You must have a bit of seed money, assuming you run this company?https://www.pdjinc.com/

author: Infraviolet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2023, 02:03:04 am
content: The letters AL look awfully similar to AI when rendered in some fonts. The name might be a bit misleading then for some readers? Spelling it out in full to "analogue life" or something might make the project seem more unique?