A custom-designed PCB that creates a visually appealing animated light sequence in the shape of the letter 'J'. This project documents the complete journey from initial concept and schematic capture to a final, manufactured, and assembled electronic device, built on my path to becoming an embedded engineer.
This project was brought to life thanks to the generous sponsorship of PCBway.
As someone who works in the industrial sector at a car service center, I have personally seen and handled thousands of PCBs—from Engine Control Modules and transmission units to airbag and ABS controllers in high-end vehicles like Mercedes. I can honestly say that the manufacturing quality of the board I received from PCBway is in a class of its own. The finish, the precision, and the overall feel are superior to many of the automotive-grade electronics I see every day. This board isn't just a prototype; it's a testament to their commitment to exceptional quality.
This project is a classic electronics learning exercise brought to life on a custom-designed Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The circuit is driven by a timeless NE555 timer, configured in astable mode to generate a stable clock pulse. This clock signal is then fed into a pair of daisy-chained CD4017 decade counters, which sequentially activate 20 individual LEDs to trace the shape of the letter 'J'.
The board is a two-layer design created in CircuitMaker, meticulously routed to ensure both functionality and a clean aesthetic.
- Custom PCB designed in CircuitMaker.
- 20-LED animated sequence in the shape of a 'J'.
- Classic NE555 timer for clock pulse generation.
- Daisy-chained CD4017 decade counters for sequential logic.
- Two-layer design with full ground pours for stability and noise reduction.
- Custom "BAVREX" logo and branding on the bottom silkscreen.
- M3 mounting holes for easy integration into an enclosure or stand.
To build this project, you will need the following components:
| Reference | Component | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| IC1 | NE555 Timer | 1 |
| C1, C4 | CD4017BE Decade Co | 2 |
| LED1-LED20 | 5mm Blue LEDs | 20 |
| R1-R22 | Resistors(Assorted) | 22 |
| C2, C3, C5, C6 | Capacitors (Assorted) | 4 |
| CN1 | 2-Pin Screw Terminal | 1 |
| SW1 | SPDT Slide Switch | 1 |
(Note: Please refer to the schematic for exact resistor and capacitor values.)
link to my circuitMaker
https://workspace.circuitmaker.com/Projects/Details/bavinhamaali/J-letter-sequence
- Get the Design Files: Clone this repository or download the Gerber files from the
/Gerberdirectory which i provided the link of the circuit maker you can fork it and do customazation of your choice. - Order the PCBs: The PCBs for this project were professionally manufactured by PCBway. You can upload the provided Gerber files directly to their website to order your own boards. Their online Gerber viewer is also a great tool to double-check the files before paying.
- Solder the Components: Once your boards arrive, gather the components listed in the Bill of Materials and begin soldering. I recommend starting with the smallest components like resistors first and finishing with the larger ones like the IC sockets and capacitors.
Here are some images from the build process.
The custom BAVREX branding on the bottom of the board:
The moment of truth - it works!
Bavin Kawa. (BAVREX)
- This project is a milestone on my journey to becoming a Full Stack Embedded Engineer, Inshallah.
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.