I vote to give Monorail Mike all the room he wants. What he has needs lots of space.
Looking forward to seeing the layout.
Roger.
Thanks guys! I plan to have an area for "pilot training" where anyone can take the controls of a monorail and a fresh prototype of a new product that will be revealed at the expo. (exciting huh?)
Alas, I spoke too soon; the Mrs. will not be able to make it. Thus, I find myself in the enviable (sorta) position of having ordered, and paid for, an extra Expo ticket for her.
Is there anyone who would be able to attend, but does not have enough money for a ticket? (Prefer someone who would not normally make it - maybe someone else's wife, kid or something.) If so, PM me (I'll try to check for messages tonight, just before I leave tomorrow and when I get to the motel tomorrow night) and I will either forward my wife's ticket to you or I will print it out and you can pick it up at my table on Saturday (Jeff, can we let them in to pick up the printed ticket?)
I just realized I hadn't posted to this thread. Once again, I will not be able to make it to the expo. I missed Chicago for work and car trouble. It's sort of work again this time. I've been traveling for work every week for the last six weeks (24 different flights) and I guess I'm not ready for another trip and hotel this weekend - even if it is the expo. I have too much to do around here.
I have a big box full of freebie stuff that was all set for Chicago and after I missed that I was sure it would make Ohio. I guess next year.
@MindRobots, You may see me in your rearview mirror if you get onto the turnpike . I have a 3 hour trip from Meadville PA and I'm leaving 5:30-6AM so I should be there by 9.
Just got back into Orrville for the night, found the two boxes we needed and packed them in the trunk.
(Someone tell Gantz' son we all won't have to share his power cord.
I am really going to miss you guys! I've attended ALL of the previous UPENE events but I have a conflict this weekend and just can't make it. The first one was absolutely unique! It captured a feeling I hadn't experienced in years. It was like the original computer club meetings back in the 80's when everything was new and felt like a meeting of close friends.
I sent some items for the freebie table that some friend from the mirobotclub are going to bring down and contribute to the table. If anyone spots the pink antistatic bag of chips that seems to appear and disappear every year let me know since that has sort of become a tradition. I will look forward to pictures of the event. You guys are awesome and I wish I could have brought some of my latest robotic creations. I spend more time working on them than promoting them. I suppose I need to fix that! I also wanted to bring down the actual Spindlebot robots that were on the cover of SERVO magazine. I guess there is always next year.
These events are very special and I'm disappointed I can't be there. Make sure to thank Jeff (Oldbitcollector) and the others that put on the show since they do a fantastic job and their efforts are appreciated!
Several of us got together after dinner at Bob Evans and had a mini geek-fest until midnight... I guess we aren't as young as we used to be, can't do an all-nighter any more and still have any resemblance to normalacy the next morning!
It's time to get in the car and make a 2 minute drive over to the Expo so I can set up my robot.
Thanks to everyone who attended my talk about surface mount soldering at this year's UPENE. As promised, here are some links with more information that will help you get started.
Finally back in the hotel. It was a good expo.
A little more "imtimate" than previous years, and I had expected to see someone (anyone) from parallax attend.
Jeff (OBC) did a great job as always at running the show.
A big THANK YOU to Jim Fouch for letting me borrow something. Thank buddy.
Thanks for putting on this show, and thanks to everyone for being so cool to hang out and chat with as usual. I had a great time as always, and saw lots of cool projects and got some great new ideas (and I'm getting psyched for the Prop 2 ).
Comments
C.W.
Thanks guys! I plan to have an area for "pilot training" where anyone can take the controls of a monorail and a fresh prototype of a new product that will be revealed at the expo. (exciting huh?)
See you on Saturday,
Mike
Alas, I spoke too soon; the Mrs. will not be able to make it. Thus, I find myself in the enviable (sorta) position of having ordered, and paid for, an extra Expo ticket for her.
Is there anyone who would be able to attend, but does not have enough money for a ticket?
Bob
Thanks!
Jeff
I just arrived at the EconoLodge, gonna check out the pool after a 6 hour drive.
Someone needs to organize dinner tonight...Either before or after the setup. I'd prefer after myself.
Bean
And, thanks always to Jeff for the hard work on putting these on.
And thanks to Parallax for the support you give him.
Maybe someday when gas is back to 25 cents a gallon.
Jim
Can't wait to see all of you, and some of you in a few hours.
Jeff
I think he means setup at 7AM tomorrow....
I believe we are on our own figuring out dinner. I'm at the Best Western room 104 if anyone wants to get together just name a time and place!
Bob
I'll be around early to help setup also. Looking forward to seeing everyone again!
Bob
Other years we setup the night before, unless I am remembering wrong.
Bean
We'll be there early to help setup too.
-Mike
Jeff, I brought the projector and a screen if you need them.
What is the pan for setting up? Is it 7am tomorrow or sometime tonight?
Jeff
I have a big box full of freebie stuff that was all set for Chicago and after I missed that I was sure it would make Ohio. I guess next year.
I have a good time, guys.
Just got back into Orrville for the night, found the two boxes we needed and packed them in the trunk.
(Someone tell Gantz' son we all won't have to share his power cord.
See you guys in the AM!
Jeff
I sent some items for the freebie table that some friend from the mirobotclub are going to bring down and contribute to the table. If anyone spots the pink antistatic bag of chips that seems to appear and disappear every year let me know since that has sort of become a tradition. I will look forward to pictures of the event. You guys are awesome and I wish I could have brought some of my latest robotic creations. I spend more time working on them than promoting them. I suppose I need to fix that! I also wanted to bring down the actual Spindlebot robots that were on the cover of SERVO magazine. I guess there is always next year.
These events are very special and I'm disappointed I can't be there. Make sure to thank Jeff (Oldbitcollector) and the others that put on the show since they do a fantastic job and their efforts are appreciated!
Robert
It's time to get in the car and make a 2 minute drive over to the Expo so I can set up my robot.
Bob
Eagle PCB Layout Software: http://www.cadsoftusa.com/download-eagle/?language=en
Eagle Tutorials: http://tangentsoft.net/elec/movies/
ViewPlot Gerber viewer: http://www.viewplot.com/info_files/viewplot.html
Preparing boards for manufacturing: http://hackaday.com/2009/01/15/how-to-prepare-your-eagle-designs-for-manufacture/
thanks,
Mike
A little more "imtimate" than previous years, and I had expected to see someone (anyone) from parallax attend.
Jeff (OBC) did a great job as always at running the show.
A big THANK YOU to Jim Fouch for letting me borrow something. Thank buddy.
Everyone have a safe trip back home,
Bean
DogP
Eagle CAD (Free): http://www.cadsoftusa.com/download-eagle/?language=en
Laying out your board in Eagle: http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/109/
How to create custom parts in Eagle: http://tangentsoft.net/elec/movies/
Preparing for manufacturing: http://hackaday.com/2009/01/15/how-to-prepare-your-eagle-designs-for-manufacture/
View gerber files with ViewPlot: http://www.viewplot.com/info_files/viewplot.html
Removing surface mount chips: http://www.chipquik.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-mount_technology#Packages
For resistors, use 1206 or 0805
We had a great time and hope to see you all at next year's expo.
-Mike
Brought home many project items and many more ideas.
Thank you Parallax, the S2 has a new home. I will take good care of it.
@Bean, yes we stopped Sunday morning and picked up the last one. :cool:
Big THANKS to Jeff and all his organizing helpers!! Great job!!
Nice seeing a lot of familiar faces and meeting some new people.
Glad I won the Propeller BOE. Have been looking at one of those since they cam out. :-)