[dorkbotpdx-blabber] accellerometers!

[krux at thcnet.net]

> that looks easy and all, but i was hoping to just buy a little chip,
> since i'm like the one person on this list who doesn't already
> own a Nintendo Wii.  =)
>
> i see that there are many competing chips now.  SparkFun has
> this one:
>
>  http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=308
>
> ... it seems to come in a surface-mount package, but they also sell the
> same chip on a break-out board, just for arduino-heads.
>
>  http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=252
>
> which is probably what i'll start with.  my goal for my next project is to
> design a complete board, but i admit i have no idea what's involved in
> getting a surface-mount chip mounted to a surface.  is that something
> humans can do in homes?  or do i need to make friends with a robot
> factory worker?

The MMA7260Q was hand solderable, but it was tricky.  I used a 12 watt weller
iron, and some really fine solder.  If you're unsure of your soldering
abilities, you can get the sparkfun one that's already soldered, but it'll of
course cost a bit more for the convenience.

Some tutorials on SMD soldering techniques

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/tutorial_info.php?tutorials_id=59

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