FumeSucker Powered By Bolt IoT

Unless you're addicted to the lead fumes released while soldering (and lost a few braincells), you could totally use one of these.

IntermediateProtip1 hour1,373

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Bolt IoT Bolt WiFi Module

Temperature Sensor

Jumper wires (generic)

Breadboard (generic)

RobotGeek Relay

Software apps and online services

Bolt IoT Bolt Cloud

Story

For anybody who's worked with hardware and electronics, the sweet nauseating smell of solder is quite familiar (lead-free is for the weak B) *just kidding*). However, we at Bolt IoT, figured it might just be healthier to have an exhaust/fume extractor when we solder.

Hence, keep in line with our Olfactory System Protection series of projects (check out our TrashTalker) with the Bolt IoT, we present, the FumeSucker powered by Bolt IoT.

The basic premise is to build a quick and easy IoT project with the Bolt which can actually benefit other hardware folks as well.

Hardware Setup

We place an LM35 Sensor close to the soldering iron stand to check if it's hot indicating somebody is using it. In case it is, we switch on the fan which acts as an exhaust to suck the fumes away. The fan we're using is a 12Vx 1Amp scavenged PC cooler fan which is controlled via a 5V relay.

The hardware connections are as follows:

Software Setup

The software for the FumeSucker requires only basic GPIO control on the Bolt Wi-Fi module. The LM35 is one of the most painless sensors to interface with MCU boards and a simple AnalogRead() call suffices to give the degree Celsius temperature reading.

On the output side, switching on a relay is as easy as a digitalWrite(1) to switch a pin high.

This is easily explained in the Python script linked in below.

Go ahead! Build the project, experience the satisfying click on the relay as the FumeSucker enriches your next soldering session.

That's it! Have a go at this project and in case you like our little FumeSucker, check us out on Indiegogo, back us, and spread the word! We have exclusive discounts for developers and the first batch of Bolts ships out in Februrary 2018.

Code

FumeSucker.py

import time
from boltiot import Bolt
import json

api_key = "Your_API_key"
d_id = "Your_device_id"

solder_temperature_threshold = 26.8 # in C
client= Bolt(api_key, d_id)
offset_magic_number = 0 #needed sometimes when sensor mis-behaves :\

def get_solder_temperature(pin):
    """
    Get CPU temperature.
    """
    response = client.analogRead(pin)
    print response
    data = json.loads(response)
    return int(data['value'])

def control_fan(pin, value):
    """
    Control the Fan
    """
    response = client.digitalWrite(pin, value)
    print response

while True:
    solder_temperature = get_solder_temperature("A0")
    temp = float(solder_temperature)/1023.0*100 - offset_magic_number
    print "Solder temperature is", temp
    if temp > float(solder_temperature_threshold):
        control_fan('0','HIGH')
    else:
        control_fan('0', 'LOW')
    time.sleep(5)