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Color Blasted Badge Making: How Hard Could It Be?

Abhinav PandaBradán Lane

Hardware creators compare different engineering approaches, tradeoffs, and design lessons learned when building multicolor electronic badges.

Summary

Engineering Multicolor Electronic Badges

Developing custom conference badges featuring vibrant, multicolor displays and LED matrices presents distinct hardware, software, and power management hurdles.

Comparing Maker Approaches

Three independent badge makers share their divergent engineering architectures, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different PCB fabrication and display techniques.

Manufacturing Realities and Pitfalls

Navigating component procurement, surface-mount assembly, and firmware flashing under strict event timelines highlights crucial lessons for embedded creators.

Advice for Community Hardware Builders

Practical recommendations help aspiring hardware creators avoid common design mistakes when embarking on complex electronic badge projects.

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  • Date: Aug 2021
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Michael Whiteley · Katie Whiteley · The Dark Tangent

Badge creators Michael and Katie Whiteley join The Dark Tangent on stage to share the engineering, chip shortage hurdles, and puzzles of the DC29 badge.

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