Build a shutter tester for Focal Plane shutters - Cheap, Easy & it Works

[Niglyn]

I see, and for the receivers I just use the diode part of the ky007 module? Or is there a part number for only the diode?

Hi, the sensors are not available separately, only as part of the module.

 

[Pentaconsixguy]

Hi,
At last I have started again the project after recovering from a broken vertebrae.
I am 3d printing everything
Maybe this question came along but the bottom part of the laser setup seems to be to big for the building plate. I am using a 220×220mm building plate commonly under 3d printers.
When I scale to 99,3% it fits so it is just 1 mm to big ! How did you solve his? Scaling X axis to 99,3 or modifying in the settings of the printer the building plate settings?

 

[Niglyn]

Hi,
At last I have started again the project after recovering from a broken vertebrae.
I am 3d printing everything
Maybe this question came along but the bottom part of the laser setup seems to be to big for the building plate. I am using a 220×220mm building plate commonly under 3d printers.
When I scale to 99,3% it fits so it is just 1 mm to big ! How did you solve his? Scaling X axis to 99,3 or modifying in the settings of the printer the building plate settings?

Hi, I have never thought about build plate sizes.

Designed it using my machne & that is about all I can do.

Different manufactures & machines will have different tollerances and quirks.

Mine, for example will always print holes smaller than drawn. I would have thought the post-processor should adjust, to ensure the drawn and printed size is the same, mine does not.

Have just checked the drawing, by coincidence the length is 220mm.

Easy enough to lop off the ends, will do this now. Should be on Github later today.

 

[bm282]

Hi, when you look at the sensors, not only do they have the lens that protrudes, but also a rectangular protrusion.

It is the rectangular protrusion that stops the lens fitting in a hole. Otherwise, the pcb could have the holes drilled for the lens to look through. The sensor could then be easily mounted on the component side of the pcb and look though the hole on the pcb.

The 3d printed enclosure has a recess for the rectangular protrusion and hole for the lens. A cap then goes on the back, to hold it in place.

So, to make a pcb and get all five sensors correctly aligned would be nightmare.

However, as I type this, a genius idea has just popped into my brain, of a simple way to achieve this.
Simple is relative, I would have to spend time designing the pcb and associated 3d printed parts and I am not sure many people would want the added expense of ordering pcbs.

Thank you. My parts arrived today - just checking on the ESP-32 that I was sent - it's an ESP-32D - photo attached. I ordered the CP2102 version - but there is no marking on the chip, so not sure what it is. IT was the link in parts from a builder who said it worked. Will this be ok and work with your software?

 

[Niglyn]

Thank you. My parts arrived today - just checking on the ESP-32 that I was sent - it's an ESP-32D - photo attached. I ordered the CP2102 version - but there is no marking on the chip, so not sure what it is. IT was the link in parts from a builder who said it worked. Will this be ok and work with your software?

Hi, yes that is perfect.

It will undoubtedly be the 2102 USB driver. Even if it is not, it is no great issue. Windows Device Manager will show which driver it is & if your computer has it loaded.

 

[bm282]

Hi, yes that is perfect.

It will undoubtedly be the 2102 USB driver. Even if it is not, it is no great issue. Windows Device Manager will show which driver it is & if your computer has it loaded.

Thank you. I hope to start putting it together this weekend (sans 3D parts) - at least the control part. To get the code, I don't need to build all the sensor component - just the TFT, ESP, switches and rotary encoder?

 

[Niglyn]

Thank you. I hope to start putting it together this weekend (sans 3D parts) - at least the control part. To get the code, I don't need to build all the sensor component - just the TFT, ESP, switches and rotary encoder?

Hi, just the rotary encoder and blue button connected will get you going.

Output can be viewed on the pc screen (using Arduino Serial monitor, or any comms terminal program) so even if the tft is mis-wired or having issues, one can see ifthe esp32 is working ok.

Although, please try not to mis-wire the tft. It has delicate electronics and mis-wiring could easily damage it.

 

[Pentaconsixguy]

Hi, I have never thought about build plate sizes.

Designed it using my machne & that is about all I can do.

Different manufactures & machines will have different tollerances and quirks.

Mine, for example will always print holes smaller than drawn. I would have thought the post-processor should adjust, to ensure the drawn and printed size is the same, mine does not.

Have just checked the drawing, by coincidence the length is 220mm.

Easy enough to lop off the ends, will do this now. Should be on Github later today.



View attachment 425703

Thank you,

 

[bm282]

Hi, just the rotary encoder and blue button connected will get you going.

Output can be viewed on the pc screen (using Arduino Serial monitor, or any comms terminal program) so even if the tft is mis-wired or having issues, one can see ifthe esp32 is working ok.

Although, please try not to mis-wire the tft. It has delicate electronics and mis-wiring could easily damage it.

Hi, so I sent a message to request an authorisation code.

My TFT is a white background and not black - have I done something wrong? Very hard to see the yellow writing.
I checked the wiring several times, and it appears to be correct.

Please let me know.
Regards

 

[Niglyn]

Hi, so I sent a message to request an authorisation code.

My TFT is a white background and not black - have I done something wrong? Very hard to see the yellow writing.
I checked the wiring several times, and it appears to be correct.

Please let me know.
Regards

HI, alas you tft is faulty.

I have had reports of two 3.5" tft screens showing a white background (one on a shutter tester and one on my weather station) but have never had a report of it on a 4" screen.

If there is a way to correct this within firmware, I do not know, will look into it.

DM sent with your pass key.

 

[Niglyn]

Hi, so I sent a message to request an authorisation code.

My TFT is a white background and not black - have I done something wrong? Very hard to see the yellow writing.
I checked the wiring several times, and it appears to be correct.

Please let me know.
Regards

Hi, I have put a new file for you on github. In the firmware folder, there is a folder called bm282

use the firmware.bin file in this folder, to replace the original and re-flash your esp32.

Please post some photos of the screen to show if the colour has changed.

 

[bm282]

Thank you. Will try in the next hour or so.

 

[bm282]

Hi, I have put a new file for you on github. In the firmware folder, there is a folder called bm282

use the firmware.bin file in this folder, to replace the original and re-flash your esp32.

Please post some photos of the screen to show if the colour has changed.

Have flashed the new firmware. Thank you for a quick update! You are amazing!!
Here are photos of the result. It all seems ok - so is the TFT ok to keep?

 

[bm282]

So progress - have finished putting the control unit together. Next is to start on the sensors and lasers setup... Such a great system...

 

[Niglyn]

So progress - have finished putting the control unit together. Next is to start on the sensors and lasers setup... Such a great system...

Hi, looking good so far )

Aliexpress is normally ok, but one does have to check the quality of the items. Some are worthless junk, but there are also great bargains and prices for the same item, if bought locally, are often much cheaper. Was even better before the tax man cottoned on. We now have to pay tax at 20% on all purchased items (

The sellers use a model similar to Amzon, where stock is held centrally and often mixed with other sellers with the same item.
So it is often difficult or impossible to get any more detail than available on their listing and if there are changes by the manufacturer, these are often not updated on the seller's listing.

The mix-up with the expansion boards is a case in point. With a listing showing the correct board, but gets substituted with the board with the wider pin spacing.

In the production world, one would never use parts from Aliexpress. Whilst it might be the same part but at a higher price, listed on Farnell etc, there is a better chain of purchase, with any changes noted.

I have no idea why your screen is white. It has been seen on two 3.5" screens, but not, to my knowledge on a 4" screen.

If it is a fault with the tft or driver chip, or the chip/display is a different variant and the manufacturers used them anyway, I have no idea, but would love to know.

Your code is bespoke, but I will have to see if the code for any future updates can be adjusted to cater for inverse screens.

Happy building )

 

[bm282]

Hi, looking good so far )

Aliexpress is normally ok, but one does have to check the quality of the items. Some are worthless junk, but there are also great bargains and prices for the same item, if bought locally, are often much cheaper. Was even better before the tax man cottoned on. We now have to pay tax at 20% on all purchased items (

The sellers use a model similar to Amzon, where stock is held centrally and often mixed with other sellers with the same item.
So it is often difficult or impossible to get any more detail than available on their listing and if there are changes by the manufacturer, these are often not updated on the seller's listing.

The mix-up with the expansion boards is a case in point. With a listing showing the correct board, but gets substituted with the board with the wider pin spacing.

In the production world, one would never use parts from Aliexpress. Whilst it might be the same part but at a higher price, listed on Farnell etc, there is a better chain of purchase, with any changes noted.

I have no idea why your screen is white. It has been seen on two 3.5" screens, but not, to my knowledge on a 4" screen.

If it is a fault with the tft or driver chip, or the chip/display is a different variant and the manufacturers used them anyway, I have no idea, but would love to know.

Your code is bespoke, but I will have to see if the code for any future updates can be adjusted to cater for inverse screens.

Happy building )

Thank you. I hope you might be able to code for dealing with inverse screens in future updates - it would be good not to have an orphan branch to cover future changes/ improvements you might make. It seems it might be getting potluck to have people get TFTs now that don't have "quirks"

I would prefer not to return this one and buy another - who knows if it will have the same problem.

Agree - it's the tradeoff about cheap pricing, but then inconsistent quality. For a non-production solution, its a risk with financial benefit, but if one were selling them as a business, a different story.

Just really appreciate the enormous effort you put into this system.

 

[bm282]

Hi, looking good so far )

Aliexpress is normally ok, but one does have to check the quality of the items. Some are worthless junk, but there are also great bargains and prices for the same item, if bought locally, are often much cheaper. Was even better before the tax man cottoned on. We now have to pay tax at 20% on all purchased items (

The sellers use a model similar to Amzon, where stock is held centrally and often mixed with other sellers with the same item.
So it is often difficult or impossible to get any more detail than available on their listing and if there are changes by the manufacturer, these are often not updated on the seller's listing.

The mix-up with the expansion boards is a case in point. With a listing showing the correct board, but gets substituted with the board with the wider pin spacing.

In the production world, one would never use parts from Aliexpress. Whilst it might be the same part but at a higher price, listed on Farnell etc, there is a better chain of purchase, with any changes noted.

I have no idea why your screen is white. It has been seen on two 3.5" screens, but not, to my knowledge on a 4" screen.

If it is a fault with the tft or driver chip, or the chip/display is a different variant and the manufacturers used them anyway, I have no idea, but would love to know.

Your code is bespoke, but I will have to see if the code for any future updates can be adjusted to cater for inverse screens.

Happy building )

So I have got to the bottom of the issue with the TFT screen. They have two types - one is IPS that comes with the white background, the other is as you normally receive - black background. The wrong one has an IPS sticker on the back - see photo. The challenge I think is for them to send the right one when ordering. They sent me the wrong one!
They advised this is the code needed - but iso this permanent? IS this the code you added?
"It is also important to invert the colors, but it is simple, anyone can do it.
writecommand (0x21);

writecommand(0xC5);
writedata(0x00);
writedata(0x4D); // <--- important!!! -VCOM = -0.79688V
writedata(0x80);

writecommand (0x21); //inverse colors for IPS"

 

[bm282]

Further to the issue of the IPS, I am advised that the YMKJ Store is via the Aliexpress warehouse for the product. The warehouse can pick the wrong item and send an IPS version instead of a TFT version of the display.
To order the TFT version directly from the supplier and not via Aliexpress warehouse, they said to use the link below. IF you want touch, order the RTP version.
Hope this helps folk.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005012025271169.html?gatewayAdapt=tha2glo#nav-specification

Regards

 

[Niglyn]

Further to the issue of the IPS, I am advised that the YMKJ Store is via the Aliexpress warehouse for the product. The warehouse can pick the wrong item and send an IPS version instead of a TFT version of the display.
To order the TFT version directly from the supplier and not via Aliexpress warehouse, they said to use the link below. IF you want touch, order the RTP version.
Hope this helps folk.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005012025271169.html?gatewayAdapt=tha2glo#nav-specification

Regards

Hi, thanks for the info.

IPS is still a tft technology and has some benefits & disadvantages over regular tft.

One being price, IPS being more expensive. What is the bet most screens on Aliexpress having IPS in the title are regular tft?

Read all about it here.

TFT vs IPS: Is There a Difference?

Explore the difference between TFT vs IPS displays. Newhaven Display explains key features, advantages, and use cases for your designs.

newhavendisplay.com

Below, is the standard configuration used for the tft display and is embedded within The Shutter Tester firmware.
It is not flashed to or held separately on the tft. The configuration does not remain on the tft after power-off.

It is obviously not possible to make changes to individual bit settings on an ad-hoc basis.

// Configure ILI9488 display
writecommand(0xE0);
writedata(0x00);
writedata(0x03);
writedata(0x09);
writedata(0x08);
writedata(0x16);
writedata(0x0A);
writedata(0x3F);
writedata(0x78);
writedata(0x4C);
writedata(0x09);
writedata(0x0A);
writedata(0x08);
writedata(0x16);
writedata(0x1A);
writedata(0x0F);
writecommand(0XE1);
writedata(0x00);
writedata(0x16);
writedata(0x19);
writedata(0x03);
writedata(0x0F);
writedata(0x05);
writedata(0x32);
writedata(0x45);
writedata(0x46);
writedata(0x04);
writedata(0x0E);
writedata(0x0D);
writedata(0x35);
writedata(0x37);
writedata(0x0F);
writecommand(0XC0);
writedata(0x17);
writedata(0x15);
writecommand(0xC1);
writedata(0x41);
writecommand(0xC5);
writedata(0x00);
writedata(0x12);
writedata(0x80);
writecommand(TFT_MADCTL);
writedata(0x48);
writecommand(0x3A);
writedata(0x66);
writecommand(0xB0);
writedata(0x00);
writecommand(0xB1);
writedata(0xA0);
writecommand(0xB4);
writedata(0x02);
writecommand(0xB6);
writedata(0x02);
writedata(0x02);
writedata(0x3B);
writecommand(0xB7);
writedata(0xC6);
writecommand(0xF7);
writedata(0xA9);
writedata(0x51);
writedata(0x2C);
writedata(0x82);
writecommand(TFT_SLPOUT);
delay(120);
writecommand(TFT_DISPON);
// End of ILI9488 display configuration

 

[bm282]

Hi, thanks for the info.

IPS is still a tft technology and has some benefits & disadvantages over regular tft.

One being price, IPS being more expensive. What is the bet most screens on Aliexpress having IPS in the title are regular tft?

Read all about it here.

TFT vs IPS: Is There a Difference?

Explore the difference between TFT vs IPS displays. Newhaven Display explains key features, advantages, and use cases for your designs.

newhavendisplay.com

Below, is the standard configuration used for the tft display and is embedded within The Shutter Tester firmware.
It is not flashed to or held separately on the tft. The configuration does not remain on the tft after power-off.

It is obviously not possible to make changes to individual bit settings on an ad-hoc basis.

// Configure ILI9488 display
writecommand(0xE0);
writedata(0x00);
writedata(0x03);
writedata(0x09);
writedata(0x08);
writedata(0x16);
writedata(0x0A);
writedata(0x3F);
writedata(0x78);
writedata(0x4C);
writedata(0x09);
writedata(0x0A);
writedata(0x08);
writedata(0x16);
writedata(0x1A);
writedata(0x0F);
writecommand(0XE1);
writedata(0x00);
writedata(0x16);
writedata(0x19);
writedata(0x03);
writedata(0x0F);
writedata(0x05);
writedata(0x32);
writedata(0x45);
writedata(0x46);
writedata(0x04);
writedata(0x0E);
writedata(0x0D);
writedata(0x35);
writedata(0x37);
writedata(0x0F);
writecommand(0XC0);
writedata(0x17);
writedata(0x15);
writecommand(0xC1);
writedata(0x41);
writecommand(0xC5);
writedata(0x00);
writedata(0x12);
writedata(0x80);
writecommand(TFT_MADCTL);
writedata(0x48);
writecommand(0x3A);
writedata(0x66);
writecommand(0xB0);
writedata(0x00);
writecommand(0xB1);
writedata(0xA0);
writecommand(0xB4);
writedata(0x02);
writecommand(0xB6);
writedata(0x02);
writedata(0x02);
writedata(0x3B);
writecommand(0xB7);
writedata(0xC6);
writecommand(0xF7);
writedata(0xA9);
writedata(0x51);
writedata(0x2C);
writedata(0x82);
writecommand(TFT_SLPOUT);
delay(120);
writecommand(TFT_DISPON);
// End of ILI9488 display configuration

Thank you, that is very helpful to understanding the display - with this sequence and reading the ILI9488 specification, I now know so much more than when I started - not that I really wanted to learn more - I just want to use your tester firmware!
Still, it means one day I might blow out the cobwebs from development done decades ago and have some building projects in my old age! Not many days left though....
As you have said, it's always a challenge buying parts from Aliexpress and getting what the ad says - and interaction with the supplier when raising a return request is lets say "less than helpful" when they make incorrect claims but one doesn't have the experience to question. Thanks to you, I now do!!!
Hopefully the replacement TFT is correct, otherwise it will be a second return!!!