Experimental Incubator/ei prototype designing

One of the most important things which we have to decide on is "how do we want to do it?" meaning mostly in this case the practical way of building up a prototype. Below are suggested strategies.

Short time goal - next event - 30c3

I (Algoldor) will give "official" talk on the project of Experimental Incubator build up at 30c3 at the end of December. We need to have some prototyping models present, we will also give a workshop on what we are up to. So for now next step is to make a list (below) and order the parts which we need to build one or two "models/kits" and test them, ordering larger quantity for 30c3, 5-10x. We have around 30 days to take care about all of that, page below is mostly about that.

• Industrial prototyping

Inspired by my (Algoldor's) friend Arnd I would suggest to go what he explained to me as an "industrial prototyping". Simplified: get well supported and functional parts for bit of extra cash and build up the first functional prototype from them. Afterwards when the prototype is working, start to break it down part by part redesigning them or using another cheaper/more feasible variants shaping the incubator to your like, bringing the costs down. This approach seems to be bit more expensive to start with but it ensures that even less experienced contributors to the project would be able to build their functional experimental machine having than what to work with which I think is crucial. For more info please check this page created at Techinc hackerspace by Arnd.

• Parts needed to build up prototype/kit for 30c3

(parts suggested based on industrial prototyping scheme)

Component	Function	Model Specifications	Amount	Cost (€)	Purchase links	Component Suggested by
Arduino Board (clone OK)	easy prototyping	???	1x	15	DealExtreme	Arnd
Arduino prototyping shield	for easy prototyping	???	1x	2	DealExtreme	Arnd
LCD Display	display data	???	1x	7	DealExtreme	Arnd
Temperature sensors	to measure temp.	???	2x	8	DealExtreme	Arnd
Solid state relay	switch on/off 220V elements	???	2x	6-10	DealExtreme	Arnd
RTC (real-time-clock) module	???	DS1302 based	1x	3	DealExtreme	Arnd
Power-supply-logic	connect to power	???	???	4	???	Arnd
Connectors for temp-probes	connect the temp-probes	???	2x	1	DealExtreme	Arnd&Erwin
PCB board	to mount the parts	???	1x	3	Amazon]	Arnd
Bread board	to set up prototype	???	1x	6	Amazon	Algoldor
Jump wires	connect components	???	???	5	Amazon	Algoldor
button-switches	set input/output values	???	6x	0.60	Amazon	Arnd
Arduino Ethernet shield (optional)	connect to Internet	???	1x	20	Amazon	Algoldor
Atmega328P-PU	brain of control unit	???	1x	4	Amazon	Arnd
Power supply for Arduino	to provide power	???	1x	7	DealExtreme	Erwin

So what is missing and what is unnecessary?

Final Order

Component	Function	Model Specifications	Amount	Cost (€)	Purchase links	Component Suggested by
Arduino Board + LCD display combo	brain, visiual	Arduino Uno R3, LCD1602	1x	22	DealExtreme	Arnd
Prototyping shield	prototyping	prototyping PCB board for arduino	1x	2	DealExtreme	Arnd
Pin Headers for Arduino	connecting shields etc.	2.mm Pitch 8-Pin Male to Female Pin Headers for Arduino (5 PCS)	1x	4	DealExtreme]	Arnd
Temeperature probe	to measure temperature	DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Probe	2x	4	Deal Extreme	Arnd
Solid state relay	switch on/off 220V elements		2x	6-10	DealExtreme	Arnd
Bread Board	for prototyping		1x	4.3	DealExtreme	Arnd
RTC (real-time-clock) module		DS1302 based	1x	3	DealExtreme	Arnd
Connectors for temp-probes	connect the temp-probes		1x	4	DealExtreme	Arnd&Erwin