π.Py - Team Physics - Hackagong 2013

Inspiration

Similar projects by Ben Heckendorn, lack of an open source 'plug and play' style hardware interface for gaming on the Raspberry Pi

How it works

The π.Py utilises a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian and pygame to boot to an interface, allowing a user to easily access python script games installed in the system. The interface also allows the installation of new games and access to the startx interface of Raspbian so users can create their own games to include in the π.Py interface. The unit is fixed inside a 3D printed case, powered with 7.4V LiPo batteries (stepped down to 5V with a switching regulator) and displayed on an internal 2.5" screen. The control boards were designed and etched on site during the weekend, and soldered directly to the GPIO of the Raspberry Pi.

Challenges I ran into

When transferring the toner for the PCB etching process, I found that some of the thinner traces would not transfer properly and required fixing with an etch resist pen. When testing we fried a Raspberry Pi by accidentally feeding 5V into the 3.3V logic line in the GPIO Header. Why those pins are next to each other still eludes me.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

Designing, etching, and populating the Control and Power circuits within the 30 hours

What I learned

Don't mix up your 3.3V and 5V pins. EVER. Always make your traces slightly wider than they need to be when using toner transfer onto your copper clads.