At the moment, HHS has a microelectronics workstation for prototyping, repairing, and tinkering with low-voltage electronics. It is equipped with ESD protection, test gear such as the DSO-200 oscilloscope, and a range of Arduino boards and components. Work can either be self-serve, or a Hackerspace member can guide you through it.
ESD stands for electrostatic discharge — the sudden flow of static electricity between two objects at different charge, like the small zap you feel after walking across a carpet. While harmless to you, even a discharge too small to feel can quietly damage or destroy sensitive electronic components, sometimes without any obvious sign until later.
To help prevent this, the space provides a grounded ESD mat as well as ESD wristbands at the workstation. Used together, these keep you and the bench at the same safe potential, so static does not pass through the components you are working on.
A selection of microcontrollers and development boards is available to borrow for use at the workstation, so you can prototype without having to buy everything up front. Just ask a Hackerspace member to sign something out, and please return it in working order when you are done.
You are also welcome to bring your own components. For ongoing projects, the space provides storage so your parts and work-in-progress can stay safely on site between sessions.
The workbench is available for individuals to carry out their own microelectronics work, at their own pace. Whether you are prototyping, repairing, or simply tinkering, the workstation and its tools are there for you to use.
Access to the space can be arranged by contacting a Hackerspace member by email. Just get in touch to let us know what you would like to work on, and we will help get you set up.
If you would like a hand, Hackerspace members are happy to assist with instructing, assembling, and programming your project. Whether you are starting from a blank breadboard or stuck on a tricky bit of firmware, there is usually someone around who can help you move forward.
Our aim is not just to get the project finished for you, but to share the knowledge along the way — so that you ultimately have the know-how to build it yourself next time.
Please note that the microelectronics workstation is only used while a Hackerspace member is present to supervise setup and make sure the equipment is used safely. Once you are set up and working comfortably, you are welcome to continue on your own. This is for safety, as well as ensuring the equipment is maintained and properly used.
For safety reasons, high voltage projects are not permitted in the space. The workstation is intended for low-voltage electronics work, and the risks associated with high voltage — to you, to others nearby, and to the equipment — are beyond what we can safely accommodate here. If you are unsure whether your project qualifies, please check with a Hackerspace member before you begin.
We want everyone to feel comfortable working at the bench, so this policy is about fairness and safety, not blame. Ordinary wear on tips, probes and consumables is part of electronics work and is never charged to users. Mistakes happen, and a failed project is simply part of learning.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is one of the few hazards that can quietly ruin both components and equipment, so we ask everyone to use the provided ESD protection correctly while at the workstation. Improper use includes, for example:
If damage does result from clearly improper use of the equipment — such as damaging components or instruments by skipping the required ESD precautions, or operating tools outside their posted limits — we would simply talk it through with you to find a fair way to put things right. Our focus is on keeping the equipment available for everyone, not on penalising honest mistakes.
Damage that happens while following the guidelines in good faith is on us, not you. If anything goes wrong, or you are unsure how to use the ESD protection, please ask a Hackerspace member — there are no bad questions, and we would always rather help than see equipment harmed.
The microelectronics equipment has been lent to the space by Russell Gill for free community use. It is not run as a business, and no one profits from it. For any questions about the workstation, the available parts, or arranging access, please email a Hackerspace member at hafnarhackerspace [at] proton.me.