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Category: Communicators

DIY Speech Device

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The DIY Speech Device provides techniques for creating a disability standard switch use for individuals with limited individuals with communication disabilities due to neurological impairments such as traumatic brain injury or stroke. Material Needed: 'Talking Tins' unit; 3.5 millimeter mono headphone socket. Thin wire (e.g 7strand 0.2 millimeter). Soldering iron (15 to 30 Watt power). Thin solder Soldering flux. Desoldering braid. Cordless drill with 2 drill bits (1x ¼ inches; 1x 2 millimeter); knife or wire strippers. Small screwdriver set. Directions: Step 1: Drill a hole Open up the casing. Make a small pilot hole where there is enough space to house your 3.5 millimeter socket. Drill a ¼ inch hole (please refer to diagram for location of the hole) being careful to stop as soon as you are through the surface. Step 2: Remove this contact Removing this switch contact renders the black 'speak' switch useless, but is essential. Step 3: Switch contacts The Green and Orange circles mark the points of the 'speak' switch circuitry that you need to solder a 3.5 millimeter mono switch socket to. You will need to drill a hole through the encircled Green point... Step 4: Drill a hole Scribe a small pilot hole in the board, then very carefully drill a 2 millimeter hole as pictured. Step 5: Solder your socket As not all sockets are connected alike, you will need to find which 2 of the 3 contacts you need to solder to. Attach a test lamp or multi-meter to any 2 contacts. Plug in your switch and then press it. If the lamp comes on when pressed you have the right connections, otherwise try a different combination. There are only 3 possibilities. Solder two lengths of wire to the socket. Expose the ends, tinning them if you wish. Step 6: Solder to the PCB Solder your socket to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) switch connections, aiming to have nothing jutting out from the board. Blow on the board to cool it down as soon as the solder flows. Too much heat could damage the workings of the device. Step 7: Reassemble Put the PCB back in place, and screw the 3.5 millimeter socket into the casing. Test the device with a switch. If all seems OK, put it all back together being careful, when tightening up the socket, not to twist the wires too much. If the unit won't screw back together neatly due to the socket spoiling on the casing, try cutting a little away from the casings inner lip. Step 8: Full Test Test the unit with a switch several times, then leave it alone for a few minutes. If it activates by it's self repeatedly, there's probably a short circuit. Pull it apart again, and examine the accuracy of your soldering carefully, especially on the socket. If the sound seems quite muffled, open the unit up again, and move the wires away from the speaker vents. Author: Text and images PUBLIC DOMAIN 2004 - www.OneSwitch.org.uk TalkingTins (c) Talking Products Ltd. - www.TalkingProducts.co.uk

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as of: 
01/09/2014
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