Custom LCD Module Is Unexpectedly Cheap And Easy

09 Dec.,2024

 

Custom LCD Module Is Unexpectedly Cheap And Easy

Looking to take your project to the next level in terms of functionality and appearance? A custom LCD display might be the thing that gets you there, at least compared to the dot-matrix or seven-segment displays that anyone and their uncle can buy from the usual sources for pennies. But how does one create such a thing, and what are the costs involved? As is so often the case these days, it&#;s simpler and cheaper than you think, and [Dave Jones] has a great primer on designing and specifying custom LCDs.

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The video below is part of an ongoing series; a previous video covered the design process, turning the design into a spec, and choosing a manufacturer; another discussed the manufacturer&#;s design document approval and developing a test plan for the module. This one shows the testing plan in action on the insanely cheap modules &#; [Dave] was able to have a small run of five modules made up for only $138, which included $33 shipping. The display is for a custom power supply and has over 200 segments, including four numeric sections, a clock display, a bar graph, and custom icons for volts, amps, millijoules, and watt-hours. It&#;s a big piece of glass and the quality is remarkable for the price. It&#;s not perfect &#; [Dave] noted a group of segments on the same common lines that were a bit dimmer than the rest, but was able to work around it by tweaking the supply voltage a bit.

We&#;re amazed at how low the barrier to entry into custom electronics has become, and even if you don&#;t need a custom LCD, at these prices it&#;s tempting to order one just because you can. Of course, you can also build your own LCD display completely from scratch too.

[via r/TheAmpHour]

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How To Make A Custom LCD From Scratch

If you have ever wondered what it took to make your own custom graphic LCD from scratch, this video from [Applied Science] is worth a watch. It&#;s concise and to the point, while still telling you what you need to know should you be interested in rolling your own. There is also a related video which goes into much more detail about experimenting with LCD technology.

[Applied Science] used microscope slides and parts purchased online to make an LCD that displays a custom graphic when activated. The only step that home experimenters might have trouble following is coating the glass slides with a clear conductive layer, which in the video is done via a process called sputtering to deposit a thin film. You don&#;t need to do this yourself, though. Pre-coated glass is readily available online. (Search for Indium-Tin Oxide or &#;ITO&#; coated glass.)

The LCD consists of a layer of liquid crystal suspended between two layers of conductive glass. An electrical field is used to change the orientation of crystals in the suspension, which modulate the light passing through them. Polarizing filters result in a sharp contrast and therefore a visible image. To show a particular shape, some of the conductive coating is removed from one of the layers in the shape of the desired image. The process [Applied Science] uses to do this is nearly identical to etching a custom PCB.

Parts of LCD technology can be quite hackable. Neither of these videos are brand-new, either. Have any of you taken on the challenge of DIY LCD displays? We&#;ve seen experiments with electrochromatic glass using old LCD displays, as well as experiments in playing with polarized light to hide secret messages on LCD screens.

Thanks to [Samuel A. Falvo II] for the tip!

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