[Arm-netbook] 11may2017 - waiting for PCBs, doing 3D printing / printers

[Luke Kenneth Casson Leighton]

ok so quick status update:

* microdesktop v1.7 pcb: done.  can go to production
* microdesktop case design: 2nd revision needs to be tested
* laptop PCB1: PCB's made, at factory, needs assembly
* laptop PCB2: PCB's made, at factory, needs assembly.
* laptop PCB3: spotted a flaw, needs a 5V power regulator added plus a
way to do dual-power.
* laptop PCB4 (actually for a new design "All-in-one PC"), PCB's made,
at factory, needs assembly
* EOMA68-A20 revision 2.7.4: PCB's made, at factory, components being
ordered, needs assembly.
* 3D printer from taobao: totally rubbish.  undergoing MAJOR redesign
just to recover the parts.
* Anycubic 3D printer from aliexpress: works okay, max print speed
50mm/sec, it's "doing the job"
* Research into new design of 3D printer started: http://reprap.org/wiki/Riki200
* EOMA68-iMX7 started with vincent: files to be handed over soon.

i think that's most things.  most of it is "waiting". for the laptop
PCBs it'll be a few more weeks, then i'll be able to test out the new
Frida 2.8in LCD, see if that's good.  i also still have to test the
passthrough card and check its HDMI conversion before sending it out
for a new revision.

designing a new 3D printer is a surprise but i feel it's essential.
at least 10 3D printers need to be bought, and they need to be decent
quality at a budget of around $USD 200 to 250.  now if that means i
have to design an actual 3D printing board to meet that budget then
it's easily justifiable thanks to the numbers.  i think what i will do
is put the printer onto a crowdfunding campaign: if i'm making 10
already then if there's even one more person who wants one that's good
enough.

one thing that's completely awesome and a drop-in upgrade: the
Flex3Drive direct-drive adapter:
https://flex3drive.com/product/flex3drive-direct-drive-adaptor/

this basically drops into place of a standard NEMA17 so is far far
lighter in weight, then there's a flexible driveshaft on a 40:1
wormdrive so the motor is static.  you get the best of both bowden
*and* direct drive, *without* the disadvantages of either, *and* a far
higher gear ratio, in one fell swoop.  totally awesome and a real
simple decision to adopt.

l.

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crowd-funded eco-conscious hardware: https://www.crowdsupply.com/eoma68