CS 555

Description

For the 2021/22 555 contest I just had to try it: the 555 as circuit sculpture. The circuit itself is well-known and well-documented (https://cdn.evilmadscientist.com/KitInstrux/555/555_principles_rev30.pdf). But I just didn't want to build the circuit. With a circuit sculpture, it could be more.

I had created this project already last year but it disappeared from my projects the next day. Now, this is the 2nd try.

Details

My design has basically three layers:

The ground plane (sic!) shows the (very schematic) block diagram using 0.8mm brass wire.

The top plane is the supply voltage. Again in 0.8mm brass wire. Additionally, the three 5s designating the circuit are there. Each of them on a different potential (Vcc, 2/3 Vcc and 1/3 Vcc). I implemented the triple 5k voltage divider using 10k resistors in parallel (more mechanical stability).

In between is the circuit comprising the 26 transistors and some resistors. Here I used silver plated copper wire (0.6 mm) to allow it to be distinguishable from the other two layers.
Instead of a notch in the IC housing to mark pin one I soldered a NE555 at the corresponding position.

The circuit is the well-documented one (see https://cdn.evilmadscientist.com/KitInstrux/555/555_principles_rev30.pdf) and it's not based on my intellectual work. Therefore I do not provide neither the schematic nor a list of components. The attentive reader will note some additional 1N4148s to increase mechanical stability and that I used two resistors in parallel where I didn't have the correct value in my stock.

I see my part in the artistic way I implemented the circuit. Noting more, nothing less.

The overall size is 18 cm x 18 cm x 6 cm.

Files

blinking_CS555.mp4

MPEG-4 Video - 16.77 MB - 01/04/2022 at 18:42

Download

Project Logs

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Finally a nice frame
MaBe42 • 08/02/2022 at 17:02 • 0 comments

I found a fitting frame at IKEA. With the original passe-partout and a grey background, the CS 555 is now ready for presentation. I drilled holes for the legs through the base and fixed them with hot glue. Now a can run it from outside using alligator clips.
Also with a schematic for a test circuit on the back side.
Now I consider this project finished.
Nice mount
MaBe42 • 01/04/2022 at 18:45 • 0 comments

This still needs to be done. I need some nice board to mount it upon. Maybe some medium dark wood to replace the scrap board that I used as jig.
Testing
MaBe42 • 01/04/2022 at 18:41 • 0 comments

I set up the necessary "external" components to run "blink.c". ;-)

Success!
https://cdn.hackaday.io/files/1834047846756736/blinking_CS555.mp4
The final jig
MaBe42 • 01/04/2022 at 18:41 • 0 comments

Then I drilled holes for the "pins" into the piece of wood, connected the circuit to the pins and added the top plane.
More soldering
MaBe42 • 01/04/2022 at 18:38 • 0 comments

I soldered the ground plane separately. To join it with the "circuit" I added some spacers to the jig. I nailed the jig to a piece of wood because it was slightly warped.
Using a jig is helpful
MaBe42 • 01/04/2022 at 18:35 • 0 comments

To get all the transistors somehow nice and straight and to make life easier, I printed a jig for the transistors and started soldering:
Everything starts with a plan
MaBe42 • 01/04/2022 at 18:33 • 0 comments

Having the three layers in mind I started planning how to design the circuit that it roughly follows the block diagram: