<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?xml-stylesheet href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/rss-style.xsl" type="text/xsl"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	    xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	     xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	   xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	     xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	  xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>
<channel>
	<title>soldering &#8211; Terence Eden’s Blog</title>
	<atom:link href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/soldering/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://shkspr.mobi/blog</link>
	<description>Regular nonsense about tech and its effects 🙃</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2025 08:29:52 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-GB</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4</generator>

<image>
	<url>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cropped-avatar-32x32.jpeg</url>
	<title>soldering &#8211; Terence Eden’s Blog</title>
	<link>https://shkspr.mobi/blog</link>
	<width>32</width>
	<height>32</height>
</image> 
	<item>
		<title><![CDATA[More thoughts on adding NFC to the Framework Laptop]]></title>
		<link>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/06/more-thoughts-on-adding-nfc-to-the-framework-laptop/</link>
					<comments>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/06/more-thoughts-on-adding-nfc-to-the-framework-laptop/#comments</comments>
				<dc:creator><![CDATA[@edent]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jun 2024 11:34:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[/etc/]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FrameWork]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[laptop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nfc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[soldering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[usb-c]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=50784</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I&#039;ve got a fancy new Framework laptop. It comes with little expansion sockets - which allow you to plug in USB devices, HDMI ports, Ethernet cables, and all sorts.    I want to add an NFC reader to it.  So, step one was to find an NFC circuit board which worked with the hardware and was relatively small.  Enter the ACM1252U-Z2. It works perfectly with Linux. It has a USB-Micro socket - but a…]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I've got a fancy new Framework laptop. It comes with little expansion sockets - which allow you to plug in USB devices, HDMI ports, Ethernet cables, and all sorts.</p>

<p><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/framework-expansion.webp" alt="Two small plastic units. Both have a USB-C plug on one end. One terminates in an HDMI connector, the other in an RJ45 connector." class="aligncenter"></p>

<p>I want to <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/03/thoughts-on-building-an-nfc-reader-for-the-framework-laptop/">add an NFC reader to it</a>.</p>

<p>So, step one was to find an NFC circuit board which worked with the hardware and was relatively small.</p>

<p>Enter the <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/04/review-acm1252u-z2-nfc-reader-board/">ACM1252U-Z2</a>. It works perfectly with Linux. It has a USB-Micro socket - but a USB-C OTG cable allowed it to work with the Framework.</p>

<p><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/acm1252u-z2.jpg" alt="Small circuit board." class="aligncenter"></p>

<p>It is about as small as they come - but will it fit?</p>

<p>Thanks to <a href="https://fosstodon.org/@alphasixtyfive">Alexey</a> for sending me some 3D printed samples of the Framework expansion plugs, I was able to make a bit of progress.</p>

<p>The board is slim enough in height and width to fit into to the casing:</p>

<p><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Circuit-in-a-3D-printed-case.jpg" alt="Circuit in a 3D printed case." class="aligncenter"></p>

<p>But it will stick out rather alarmingly:</p>

<p><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/antenna-protrouding.jpg" alt="antenna protruding from laptop." class="aligncenter"></p>

<p>It's useful to have the antenna that far out - but I'm worried about bumping it.</p>

<p>What about <em>under</em> the casing of the main laptop? There are two spacer units which can be removed, and there is access to the <em>internal</em> USB connectors under the numpad.</p>

<p><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Circuit-and-num-pad.jpg" alt="Numpad lifted to show USB headers." class="aligncenter"></p>

<p>Will it fit? The answer, again, is… oooh! Just about!</p>

<p><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Circuit-under-spacer.jpg" alt="Circuit board under spacer." class="aligncenter"></p>

<p>If the trackpad was moved left, there'd be plenty of room horizontally.</p>

<p><img src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Board-horizontal.jpg" alt="Circuit Board horizontal in laptop." class="aligncenter"></p>

<p>It will still need something sturdy covering it - and that will need to be transparent to RF.</p>

<p>So here are my next thoughts:</p>

<ol>
<li>Can I (or someone else) desolder the USB-Micro plug and solder on a USB-C OTG plug?</li>
<li>Is having a protruding expansion going to be annoying or dangerous?</li>
<li>How hard would it be to replace the spacer and wire directly into the vacant USB pins under the numpad?</li>
</ol>

<p>If you have answers to these questions - please drop a comment in the box.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=50784&HTTP_REFERER=RSS" alt="" width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/06/more-thoughts-on-adding-nfc-to-the-framework-laptop/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title><![CDATA[Soldering At The Science Museum]]></title>
		<link>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2012/06/soldering-at-the-science-museum/</link>
					<comments>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2012/06/soldering-at-the-science-museum/#respond</comments>
				<dc:creator><![CDATA[@edent]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:57:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[/etc/]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[google]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[luvvies and boffins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[museums]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[science museum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[soldering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technologywillsaveus]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=6004</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Last night, Google held its second &#34;Luvvies and Boffins&#34; event at The Science Museum.  Part of the Science Museum Lates - an adults-only evening event.  As well as tours of the museum exhibits, there was a chance at some hands-on science.  We were led by an excellent team from Technology Will Save Us.  A group whose mission states:  Technology Will Save Us is a haberdashery for technology and…]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Last night, Google held its second "Luvvies and Boffins" event at The Science Museum.  Part of the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120613134409/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/events/events_for_adults/Lates.aspx">Science Museum Lates</a> - an adults-only evening event.</p>

<p>As well as tours of the museum exhibits, there was a chance at some hands-on science.</p>

<p>We were led by an excellent team from <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120619011816/http://technologywillsaveus.org/">Technology Will Save Us</a>.  A group whose mission states:</p>

<blockquote>Technology Will Save Us is a haberdashery for technology and alternative education dedicated to helping people to <strong>produce</strong> and not just consume technology.</blockquote>

<p>So, after a brief tutorial on safety, we got cracking.</p>

<p>I'm not sure who did the risk assessment, but I am told that it is <em>totally</em> safe to be supping Mojitos while playing with soldering irons....
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/cocktail-soldering.jpg" alt="cocktail soldering" title="cocktail soldering" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6008">
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/LJ-Rich-Cocktail-Soldering.jpg" alt="LJ Rich Cocktail Soldering" title="LJ Rich Cocktail Soldering" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6005"></p>

<p>Here, I have an awful confession. I have never soldered before! I'm mostly a software geek - my hardware experience is mostly around plugging things in.</p>

<p>So, this is my first attempt at soldering...
<a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/My-First-Solder.jpg"><img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/My-First-Solder.jpg" alt="My First Solder" title="My First Solder" width="600" height="585" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6006"></a></p>

<p>After a few misshaps - but no burnt fingers - I had a fully working <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120720020429/http://technologywillsaveus.org/resources/lumiphone/">Lumiphone</a>!
<a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Finished-Lumiphone.jpg"><img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Finished-Lumiphone.jpg" alt="Finished Lumiphone" title="Finished Lumiphone" width="600" height="800" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6007"></a></p>

<p>It was a thoroughly entertaining evening.  <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120720020429/http://technologywillsaveus.org/resources/lumiphone/">Technology Will Save Us</a> sell <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120627120824/http://technologywillsaveus.org/resources/">a variety of kits at very reasonable prices</a> and run <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120623224008/http://technologywillsaveus.org/classes/">regular classes</a> for adults and children.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=6004&HTTP_REFERER=RSS" alt="" width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2012/06/soldering-at-the-science-museum/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
