Blog

Shell bindings ready

The Shell bindings are now ready to use!

https://www.tinkerforge.com/static/img/_stuff/shell.jpg

The bindings are realized as Python script and allow to use Bricks and Bricklets directly from a terminal window. They are made for Unix shells such as bash, but also work from the Windows command prompt.

Getting the current temperature of a Temperature Bricklet looks like this:

$ tinkerforge call temperature-bricklet gC5 get-temperature
temperature=2443

For tab completion in bash a corresponding bash completion script is provided.

If you find bugs, please report them in the generator git: https://github.com/Tinkerforge/generators

Delivery problems with Starterkit: Hardware Hacking

https://www.tinkerforge.com/de/doc/_images/Kits/hardware_hacking_kit_tilted_600.jpg

We were surprised by the huge demand for the Hardware Hacking Kit. Our stock was sold out pretty fast. We reordered the missing parts (particularly the Quad Relay Bricklet) immediately. They were scheduled to be produced today, so we would have been able to ship them tomorrow.

Unfortunately we just got the bad news that the circuits boards did not arrive as scheduled. The circuit board manufacturer does have problems with the raw materials. The new schedule for the delivery of the circuit boards is now the end of next week. That means we will likely be able to ship the currently open orders in week 32.

Apologies for the long waiting time!

Meet us at the Maker Faire

https://www.tinkerforge.com/static/img/_stuff/MakerFaireHannover.jpg

Tinkerforge is one of the exhibitors of the first German Maker Faire. Many different Maker will present their projects at the faire. Fun and participation has priority at the family-friendly event. The maker will show many different kinds of projects, including 3D printers, quadrocopter, robots and sculptures.

The faire will be held on August 3rd in the Hanover Congress Centrum. More information can be found at: http://makerfairehannover.com/.

Visitors of our booth will be able to test our building blogs and the new kits. Additionally there will be a small creative surprise to take away for every visitor of our booth.

We look forward to meet you!

Starter Kit: Hardware Hacking

After we received exclusively positive feedback for the Starter Kit: Weather Station, we are happy to announce the newest kit of the Starter Kit series: The Starter Kit: Hardware Hacking.

https://www.tinkerforge.com/en/doc/_images/Kits/hardware_hacking_kit_tilted_600.jpg

The Starter Kit: Hardware Hacking is about hacking low voltage mainstream devices to connect them with Tinkerforge modules. Any (Embedded-) PC, Smart Phone or Tablet can be used to interact with devices hacked by this kit. An extensive tutorial that has many example-hacks is available.

Two remote control mains switches are included in this kit, so you can directly start to hack something. A step-by-step guide will tell you how to do it (soldering iron, solder and a screwdriver are required).

Additionally we have a small introduction video as well as a howto video on Youtube.

Introduction video:

The Kit is available until July 31st 2013 for the introductory price of 79.99€ in the Tinkerforge shop.

Cases for Bricklets

Cases for Bricklets are now available in the shop. They have non-slip rubber feet and can either be used directly on a table or they can also be mounted on mounting plates. In the following we want to present some of the new cases:

https://www.tinkerforge.com/static/img/_stuff/cases_600.jpg

For Bricklets with terminal blocks we made cases that allow access to the terminal block from the top as well as the side.

https://www.tinkerforge.com/en/doc/_images/Cases/bricklet_io4_case_shallow_600.jpg

For the Ambient Light, Barometer, Humidity and Temperature Bricklet we designed a single case that can be used with all of them. The case has venting slits and can be used with all of the sensor types.

https://www.tinkerforge.com/en/doc/_images/Cases/bricklet_ambient_light_case_built_up_600.jpg

The LCD 20x4 Bricklet case has extensions for the buttons. It is possible to press the buttons from the outside of the case!

https://www.tinkerforge.com/en/doc/_images/Cases/bricklet_lcd_20x4_case_600.jpg

A question that was often asked regarding the Dual Relay Bricklet was how one can protect against accidental access. One possible solution is now the Dual Relay Bricklet case . The internal wiring is done with WAGO clamps. A cable relief is also available. If a cable with protection conductor (PE) is used, it should be crimped according to the documentation. This ensures that the protection conductor is the last wire that is seperated.

https://www.tinkerforge.com/en/doc/_images/Cases/bricklet_dual_relay_case_top_open_2_600.jpg