Hi friends - still sick, feel like ass, but I did a lot of work recently, and if everything goes according to plan, within 2 more journal entries, I’ll be able to report on my very first hair removal test!
What I’ve been up to
This week was mostly board and circuit design. I just ordered two more circuit boards I designed, here they are:
Current pump, mk2
Schematic:
PCB:
3D PCB:
I talked about this one in Journal Entry #1 - since then, I received the board and the parts for mk1, and it works 
Technically, this means I can test hair removal on myself, but I’m going to try and wait until I have the new board, for a lot of reasons. Here’s what I changed:
- Before, the current went out a current pump and went in to ground. If the current pump were to malfunction, it would cause more current than expected to leave the probe, which is a safety issue (not electrocution level, but possibly a scarring issue - very bad). I added a current sink hard-wired to 2 mA on the return of the current probe so that even if the current pump fails, the current sink will still cap the max current at 2 mA.
- I added feedback so that I can measure the output current from a microcontroller. This is pre-work for the Sphynx Uno, and it can also be used as a safety measure - if the current goes too high, I can cut board power and flash an angry red LED as an error light.
- I added a current knob! This is one more thing to test for the final version.
- I broke out and very neatly labeled parts of the schematic so that this is an easier resource to learn from as an outsider.
- I changed up some resistor values to make the current pump and current sink more stable.
My highly scientific outlook on this one is that there’s a 75% chance it works as intended first shot.
This is the board I’m going to use to test hair removal on myself (if it works)! If it works, there aren’t really any other current pump related changes to make and this one can get incorporated into the Sphynx Lite!
Digital timing, mk1
Schematic:
PCB:
3D PCB:
@macerated_baby_presidents@hexbear.net game me some really good feedback on this one in Journal Entry #2. I since figured out a better way to make the timer work by actually reading the manual for the part I’m using. This means the knob I’m using will actually be accurate and not have a dangerous failure mode! yay!
This one is a little less likely to be perfect on the first try - it is all new, unlike the current source, it’s also a little more complicated, and because of that, I’m giving it 40% odds to work on the first try.
When I get these two boards, if they both work as designed, I will be able to plug in a benchtop power supply, rig up some kind of weird holder for an electrolysis needle, and go for a spot of hair on my thigh I’ve been growing out for this moment! Journal entry 4 will probably be me designing and ordering the battery submodule, so journal entry 5 will be my first report of actual hair removal!
New Developments
We’re on git! Specifically sourcehut! https://git.sr.ht/~_410bdf/sphynx
It’s somewhat empty right now, it’s also especially clunky because I just set it up and all of my commits are just dumping in all of my files, but now people can actually look at my files and mess with them for themselves, or even contribute if there’s anything that anyone feels comfy adding!
Next up
As mentioned above, steady progess, waiting for boards to come in, making the battery board, and probably before the end of March I’ll be starting to get rid of some body hair. End of April is a very reasonable timeline for a beta version of the Sphynx Lite to be available for enthusiastic individuals to order, build, try, and review! We’re getting there!
Any ways to help?
Calls are out for a Sphynx logo for sure! Design review is always appreciated as well! Besides that, I’m just working through the early stuff, things are a little too turbulent at the moment for me to ask for much because things are moving too fast. Once I’m working on the Lite, it’d be SO sick if anyone artistically inclined would want to design some cool silkscreen for the Lite, maybe with a Blahaj, some trans/commie logos, possibly some original artwork - the possibilities are endless 
This one’s a little terse because I’m sick and tired, but as usual, from last time - If you have any questions, please ask below! It doesn’t matter if they’re technical or non-technical, it doesn’t matter if you think they’re basic, dumb, not worth my time, or anything else - I want people to get excited about this and I would love to take the time to communicate the inner workings of this to y’all so that everyone can be included! I can’t guarantee I’ll reply to everyone but I’ll do my best to reply to comments that are asking something directly or I have something to add to!
Is there a reason to make it small and dense vs larger and more spread out? I would guess that the tighter the board is, the more difficult it will be to solder on components. And will heat management be a problem? How much heat do you think the components will generate? If there is a buildup of heat, it could warp or melt a 3d printed enclosure. PLA softens at 60C. So if it does generate heat, perhaps a header for a small fan would be a good addition.
The small size does make it easier to find a suitable off the shelf enclosure, or print one. I think most printers have a 8"x8" build area at a minimum. So that gives you some room to make a larger PCB so long as cost isn’t a concern.
Hi thanks for engaging!
You honestly have a pretty good point about the board size, my original motivation was that ordering PCBs goes into price tiers - if I can keep it in a 100mm by 100mm square, it’ll be cheaper, but I think going up to 100mm by 200mm doesn’t add much more than a few bucks, so if it gets too cramped you’re right and I should definitely go up. Solderability is a real thing and you’ll hear some more about it when I make another post in a couple hours
As for thermals, I think we’ll probably be okay in that regard, the whole board - LEDs, beeper, electrolysis front end, everything - should probably come in in the neighborhood of ~ 100 mW peak and ~20 mW average, so thermally it’s pretty chill and heat buildup won’t be too much of an issue - good looking out though!