Design and Route PCB

Today, I created the schematic for and routed my PCB. I decided to use a Xiao ESP-32 for this project, as I can wirelessly control the neopixel color using it. The original design used a ProffieBoard, which has mosfets for high power output to control motors. However, the Xiao doesn't have them, so I had to add some motor drivers. I initially decided to go with DRV8833 motor drivers, but then I realized they couldn't power 12v motors. After looking at the schematics of the ProffieBoard v3, I found the exact mosfets they used and added it to my design. I decided to power the whole thing off a 3S lipo, as that would fall near the 12v range of my motors and neopixel strip. I used a generic 12v to 5v buck convertor off AliExpress to power my Xiao. After making a few footprints and wiring everything together, this is my schematic:

I had initially decided to add a voltage sensing pin to measure battery, but to fit in my IMU, I had to remove it. The schematic has 4 motors, 1 MPU-6050, 1 neopixel strip, and one MAX98357A for sound. I then routed my PCB. I made a few revisions as I changed my schematic while wiring, and this is my final PCB:

DynamicWhiteHat added to the journal 11/3/2025 at 10:07 PM ago

Hilt CAD Finished

I decided to start this project by cadding the hilt, as it determines how much room I have to fit all the electronics inside. I was inspired by HeroTech's video and decided to follow the same structure: A magician's cane saber with a spinning base to create a strobing effect. I found this video that served as a good tutorial on how to model a lightsaber hilt in Fusion. I went with Anakin's lightsaber from AOTC, as it looked good. This is the hilt I cadded: PRISM_Mk1

DynamicWhiteHat started PRISM Mk 1 11/3/2025 at 4:33 PM ago