My first Soldering iron

It was during a revision test period of my 8th standard when I bought my first soldering iron. Lot of things happened once after I bought it. I still remember how I saved those 35 Rs to buy it. The interesting part was that I was not permitted to play with 230V at home. Mom and dad were very strict about it. But still I managed to do lot of soldering work with it. 

Btw, I still have my first soldering iron with me. Will plan a photo session sometime.

My first home made PCB

Many times I have thought of fabricating a PCB at home. That is how one weekend I decided to try this out. I found a really good online tutorial . Its called Toner Transfer method which is really quick and easy to do.
Then I went to SP Road (Bangalore) to buy raw materials like Copper board, Ferric Chloride (etching solution). Started the process by taking Laser print of my circuit diagram. I tried the circuit of an AVR programmer called USBTinyISP. To my surprise it came out very well at the first time itself.
Few snaps of the PCB,

For more snaps Click Here

Few points to note,

1. While taking print out of your layout(mostly Eagle file) make sure whether you need Mirror option enabled or not. 
2. If your layout is single layered then you need to check Mirror option
3. If your layout is double layered then,  For bottom layer printing - No need for Mirror option
4. While Ironing make sure you don't over melt the Toner which might spoil the circuit (Take max of 45 to 60sec to Iron)

Useful links,

• AVR Programmer - http://www.ladyada.net/make/usbtinyisp/
• PCB Tutorial - http://www.riccibitti.com/pcb/pcb.htm

If need any help on this just let me know. I'm ready to help. 

Real Engineering

My passion for real engineering made me to write this blog. I have always wanted to be a Real Engineer. I think it is good to have a blog with all my thoughts and memories about engineering and related stuffs.

It started from my childhood when I don't even understand why did the bulb glow when I connected it to two sides of a battery. I'm just wondering what I was playing with those days. I felt more comfortable when i'm with my soldering rod than with a Pencil and Eraser. I didn't know what I was doing with those wires, batteries and motors at that age. But I liked the fun part of it and it didn't seem to be a skillful job though because i was just simply playing with it. Then I slowly started realizing my interest which finally became my Passion to do real engineering.

I was really encouraged by my parents. My father used to give ideas and sometimes he also shared his passion for space and aeronautics. All incidents like this started building up one over another and made most part of my childhood.

So here is what I'm now. An engineer with decent CGPA, good job profile and unending thirst for engineering. 

This will be continued. There are lot of incidents that I like to share in coming future.