Learn to Solder With QB!

Learn to solder with QB!

QB is the mascot of First Robotics Competition Team Force Fusion. This kit is made to promote our motto: "Inspire them and let them amaze you" since our goal is to inspire children to explore the field of STEAM at a young age. This kit will be a great introduction to soldering by making a blinking QB.

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We would like to thank JLCPCB for sponsoring the PCBs for this project, allowing us to share this kit with everyone! JLCPCB manufactures high quality PCBs with a great turn around time. They give back to society and are committed to inspiring students' creativity and developing new ideas by giving free PCB sponsorships.

This PCB is developed using the Fusion 360 modeling and electrical capabilities, using the SVG import function it was possible to create a custom board outline for the Fusion 360 electrical capabilities.

Start by gathering all the components and tools needed for this project. Don't worry if you don't know the name! The components are listed below. The numbers correspond with the number in the picture. Each step will explain the part you will be using.

Electrical components:

1. 1x CR2302 Battery Holder
2. 2x Green LED
3. 2x 100 μF Capacitor
4. 1x Switch
5. 2x 10kΩ Resistors
6. 2x 100Ω Resistors
7. 2x 2N2222 NPN Transistor

Tools and materials:

• Soldering Iron
• Solder
• Side Cutter

If you have all the materials it's time to let the fun begin! Let's start soldering.

When soldering it's always a good strategy to start with the lowest profile components. Most of the time this will be the resistor. A resistor is a component that restricts current flow so other components won't break.

Resistors have a resistance value represented in Ohms. The resistors used in this kit are color coded and the value can be found using the table above.

1. Identify the 10K Ohm (Brown - Black - Orange - Gold) and 100 Ohm resistors (Brown - Black - Brown - Gold).
2. Look at the backside of the board to determine where to place the resistors .
3. Take the 10K Ohm resistors and put them in the R2 and R3 holes.
4. Take the 100 Ohm resistors and put them in the R1 and R4 holes
5. Keep the resistors in place by bending the leads.
6. Turn the board back to the frontside.
7. Solder the leads.
8. Cut the leads flush.

That's it for the first parts, Good job! Let's go to the next part.

Up next are the LEDs. These green components will be the blinking eyes of QB. LEDs are polarized components. This means that you should keep an eye on the orientation! If these are placed the wrong way around they won't light up.

1. Start by identifying the longest leg of the LED. This leg should align with the + on the backside of the board.
2. Place the LEDs on the frontside of the board.
3. Turn the board to the backside
4. Solder the leads.
5. Cut the leads flush.

The battery holder will hold the battery to provide QB with power. This one is not to hard now you have practiced.

1. Place the battery holder in the "battery" outline on the backside of the board.
2. Turn the board to the frontside..
3. Solder the leads.
4. Cut the leads flush.

The power switch makes it possible to give QB some rest and save energy, by disconnecting battery from the circuit.

1. Turn the board to the backside and place the switch in the "switch" outline.
2. Turn the board to the frontside.
3. Solder the leads.
4. Cut the leads flush.

Capacitors are polarized parts that are just like batteries. That's why you have to pay attention to the orientation of the part!

1. Turn the board to the backside.
2. Place the parts by matching the white side of the capacitor to the white stripe on the board in C1 and C2.
3. Turn the board to the frontside and bend the lead to keep the part in place.
4. Solder the leads.
5. Cut the leads flush.

Transistors are just like digital switches. Instead of toggling the switch manually it is switched electrically. This part has three pins that all have a different functions. So pay attention to the orientation!

1. Turn the board to the backside.
2. Place the part by matching the shape to the outline of the board.
3. Turn the board to the frontside and bend the lead to keep the part in place.
4. Solder the leads.
5. Cut the leads flush.

If everything went well you will now have a fully functional blinking QB! Compare your board to the pictures. If it checks out you can put the battery in and switch it on. It should directly start blinking. Well done!