ALTOIDBOY
a personal project!
The AltoidBoy is a personal project I began simply because it seemed fun! It is based off the Arduboy, a credit-card sized gaming device that can be bought commercially. However, because it is open-source and based on the Arduino Micro, the Arduboy has a community of people who have created homemade versions, and I decided I wanted to be one of those people, and fit my Arduboy in an Altoids tin.
RESEARCH, INITIAL TESTING
After reviewing online resources I ordered the electrical components I would need, and started by connecting everything together temporarily on a breadboard. To do so I had to translate a factory schematic of the official Arduboy into something I could reference.
 My version of the circuit schematic |
|---|
 Breadboard attempt one |
 Now the screen works! |
PCB DESIGN AND FABRICATION
After success with the breadboard version, I designed a PCB that fit into an Altoids tin that I could mill out myself. After milling the PCB, I soldered everything together, achieving functionality using the board I designed.
I also designed a small board to redirect the connections for the OLED screen, the piece that mounts the screen to the top of the Altoid tin, as well as part to hold the battery underneath the tin.
 My PCB schematic made in Autodesk Eagle |
|---|
 The PCB ready to be milled on the Bantam Tools software |
 Mostly soldered together |
 Now the screen has a case |
 A view of the bottom |
FINAL TOUCHES
Although the project is functional, it is still a work in progress in terms of aesthetics.
 A rough layout of how I plan to finish up the project |
|---|
 The current status of the altoidboy |