Build an Arduino - Workshop
| "Build an Arduino" Workshop | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Primary Contact | Aaron |
| Created | 2025 |
| GitHub / Repo | https://git.aaronsplace.co.uk/cgit/workshop-build-an-arduino.git/about/?h=main |
| Status | Active |
| Type | Members Project |
"Build an Arduino" is a workshop where you are invited to come and build a clone of the Arduino Uno R4. Unlike previous Unos, the R4 uses an ARM Cortex chip, which aside from being very fast, is also a good challenge for learning how to do SMT reflow soldering. You can find the KiCAD project files for the board on Aaron's SourceHut.
- Workshop cost: £25
- Maximum Participants: 8
It is not expected to be a particularly difficult workshop. It is intended to give confidence and demonstrate that "you can do it!", with the added bonus of leaving with a useful dev board you built yourself!
The workshop includes the bare circuit board and components. It'll cover the process of applying solder paste using a stencil, part placement, using the T-962A Reflow Oven, fixing issues, and flashing the bootloader and sample program.
There is an interactive bill of materials tool, which we'll use during the workshop to keep track of which parts to place. https://aaronsplace.co.uk/nh-arduino/
| Date and Time | Fully Booked? |
|---|---|
| 30th March 2025 @ 13:00 | Yep! |
| 5th July 2025 @ 13:00 | Yep! |
| 20th July 2025 @ 13:00 | Yep! |
Workshop Photos
30th March 2025:
-
Boards held in place with other boards -
Applying solder paste -
Placing a resistor -
Placing in the oven -
Cooking -
An array of Nottinghack Arduinos -
A completed board -
Running Blink
Tips for using your Arduino
Using from Linux
It may be necessary to install some udev rules, or the board may not appear as a device. Run the following script as root: https://github.com/arduino/ArduinoCore-renesas/blob/main/post_install.sh
I2C Pullups
I2C requires 10k pullup resistors. Unos before the R4 would have these mounted, since the I2C pins were separate. On the R4 (and therefore the workshop Arduinos) these are A4 and A5. I neglected to pads for mounting pullup resistors, but they can still be easily added, as shown in the image on the right. We have a reel of 10k resistors in the Electronics Area, you can heat the existing solder on the pad and push one end of a resistor in with tweezers. A small piece of wire should then connect the other side of these to the 5V line.
Shields, e.g. Ethernet
Many shields, such as the WizNet ethernet boards, make use of the ICSP pins, which are not available on the workshop Arduino. Wires can be routed form these on the shield to D13, D12, D11 and D10.