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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Acrylic experimenter base for Arduino and Raspberry Pi Arduinos and Raspberry Pis make an ideal platform to experiment; to expand the basic platform into something more exotic. The biggest problem that experimenters have faced is that they don’t exactly lend themselves to expansion. That’s all changed now with these K-9610 clear acrylic bases from Altronics. Drilled to suit the Arduino UNO or Raspberry Pi modules, there’s plenty of space next to the module for either a mockup or a breadboard such as the Altronics P 1020 or P 1002. The base, made from 2mm acrylic, is 130x90mm and comes with four rubber feet and standoffs to suit. Don’t know anything about Arduino but want to? Get a Starter Kit! It’s not too long until Christmas – and we’re sure there would be someone near and dear to you who would love to see one of these under their tree (maybe even yourself?). We don’t know whether these kits are available in Australia – yet – but even if not, they can be ordered direct from Arduino (see below) for about $AU120 plus freight. (It’s likely Australian Arduino suppliers will also have this shortly, if not already). With this excellent Starter Kit, you can not only learn how to use Arduino (it’s said to be the ideal learning platform) but the 176-page manual that comes with it has instructions (and code) to build any one of 15 projects – everything from getting to know your tools through to a motorised pinwheel and even hacking buttons to create a master control of all your Arduino projects. On the Arduino website, there is a step-by-step video to take you through all that the Starter Kit has to offer . Incidentally, the name “Arduino” strictly only applies to the USA – outside the USA, you may be supplied with a kit bearing the name “Genuino”: it is ex- Contact: actly the same thing Arduino but bearing a different Web: www.arduino.cc moniker. (See Arduino website for local resellers) siliconchip.com.au Altronics suggest the bases would not only suit individual experimenters but also in schools (where Raspberry Pi and Arduino are very popular), hobbyist workgroups, etc. They’re priced at Contact: $9.95 (inc GST) or Altronics Distributors for volume buyers (eg (Head Office): 174 Roe St, Perth WA 6000 schools, etc) $8.95 for Tel: 1300 797 007 five or more. Web: www.altronics.com.au Jaycar drops 3D printer price Not so long ago you’d need to mortgage your house to buy a 3D printer – now Jaycar have this Single Filament 3D printer on sale at just $699 (Cat TL-4100)! And the best part is that unlike other Kit 3D printers, this one doesn’t require an advanced degree to assemble. Its elegant open-frame delta design makes assembly straightforward and painless. Print size is up to 250 x 140 x 140mm; overall size Contact: is 800 x 300 x 265mm. Jaycar Electronics 250g printer filaments (All stores) to suit are priced from Tel: 1800 022 888 $19.95 roll. Web: www.jaycar.com.au Digi-Key “Most Favorite Electronics Component Distributor” Regular SILICON CHIP advertiser and global electronic components distributor, Digi-Key Electronics, was named Reader’s Choice Most Favorite Electronics Component Distributor at the 2nd edition of the EM (Electronics Maker) Best of Industry Awards 2016 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. The 2016 Awards included key electronics categories including IoT, semiconductor, LED and lighting, solar and power, test and measurement, electronics component, automation, SMT, PCB, and EMS and honors the winners for their innovations, excellence and industry-leading performance. The Electronics Maker Awards generate a lot of interest, recognis- Contact: ing leaders in technology, efficiency, Digi-Key environmental benefits and quality Tel: 1800 285 719 for the Indian Electronics industry. Web: www.digikey.com.au November 2016  57