How to assemble the split-flap controller PCB

Tutorial on how to assemble the controller PCB for a DIY split-flap display module. Soldering is required, and this video assumes you have some experience already; if not, I'd recommend watching some tutorial videos first.


A completed DIY split-flap display that uses this controller can be seen here: https://youtu.be/vq4o_88kN8g

The component list and instructions for ordering parts can be found on the split-flap ordering guide here: https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Ordering-Splitflap-v0.5-iCwwMo0hRkkAlwdutccWf

This entire project is open-source, so you modify/make the PCBs yourself, or I sell the blank PCBs in my Tindie store: https://www.tindie.com/products/scottbez1/splitflap-control-board-pcb-bare/

Recommended assembly order:
- 0:29 4 WS2812b RGB LEDs - U5, U6, U7, U8 - center near A B C D labels
- ⚠️ Make sure to get polarity correct - LED notch aligns with right-angle silkscreen line - top left corner
- 1:02 Arduino pin headers (BOTTOM SIDE):
- 3 pin straight male header - “Arduino D4 D5 D6” label on bottom
- 2x3 Female header - ISP label on bottom
- 2 pin straight male header - VIN label on bottom
- 1:40 470 resistor (Yellow Purple Brown) - R9 (center top side, between the two MIC5842 spots)
- 2:10 Top left corner:
- 2 pin straight male header - JP1
- Yellow LED - D1 (Mot+) - ⚠️ make sure to get polarity correct - match flat side to silkscreen
- Green LED - D2 (5V)- ⚠️ make sure to get polarity correct - match flat side to silkscreen
- 2.2k resistor (Red Red Red) - R1
- 220 resistor (Red Red Brown) - R7
- 3:10 Capacitors:
- 100uF electrolytic capacitor - C1 - ⚠️ make sure to get polarity correct
- 100uF electrolytic capacitor - C3 - ⚠️ make sure to get polarity correct
- 0.1uF capacitor - C2 (to the left of “A” LED)
- 3:59 Sensor connectors (place all of these at once with a sensor cable plugged in across all 3 to ensure proper alignment when soldering)
- 4 pin straight male header - “GND” label
- 4 pin straight male header - “5V” label
- 4 pin straight male header - “A” and “D” labels
- 4:26 47k resistors (Yellow Purple Orange) - R3 R4 R5 R6 R10
- 4:54 Barrel Jack Connector - top right “5-12V” label
- 5:21 Motor connectors - P1 P2 P3 P4 - ⚠️ make sure to get polarity correct (match silkscreen)
- 5:49 ICs - make absolutely sure to get the polarity correct!!!!
- MIC5842 - U2 - ⚠️ make sure to get polarity correct (match silkscreen - notch facing left)
- MIC5842 - U4 - ⚠️ make sure to get polarity correct (match silkscreen - notch facing left)
- 74HC165 - U3 - ⚠️ make sure to get polarity correct (notch facing bottom - see right-angle silkscreen line near pin 1)


This is part of the documentation of how you can build your own split-flap display - check out the open-source project here: https://github.com/scottbez1/splitflap