instructables

Wooden RPN Calculator

by shiura

A RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) calculator of billet walnut case.

There are multi-functional RPN calculators with numbers of small keys. However, daily use RPN calculators
with large and light touch buttons are rare. So I made it by my own.
This calculator also has trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions. It is hidden but appears on
the LCD as function key style by pressing the silver key (or long press of keys).
Comfortable and traditional look made from wood billet.

Supplies:

The schematic diagram and case design depends on what parts you select. The following data (STLs, gcodes) are just for
my case. I used
USB Numeric keypad (I used Bu alo BSTK08MSV)
Dot matrix LCD display (I used IIC LCD2004 type LCD)
Arduino nano
DC-DC up converter (3v to 5v)
Walnut billet wood
Blank PCB
Acrylic plate
Short parts (screws, electric wire, solder, etc.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UtOKNSkFMM

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Step 1: Reverse Engineering of Keypad

Disassemble the keypad.

Check how the switches are connected to the PCB. In my case, the conductor on a lm and PCB just
contact with some pressure of rubber tip.
Check the wiring (key map) of the numeric keypad.

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Step 2: Test the LCD Module

Connect the LCD module to your micro controller.

Flash the test code supplied by the LCD module manufacturer to the micro controller and watch what
happens.

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Step 3: Make PCB

Make PCB to connect the micro controller and the keypad.

The PCB is also used to support the keypad to the case (body).

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 View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F8N/M4PS/L9ZNH417/F8NM4PSL9ZNH417.stl

Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F04/QA5H/L9ZNH418/F04QA5HL9ZNH418.nc

Step 4: Design the Case

Design the case using your CAD software. I use Blender to design the case.
The case is also designed to cope with CNC machine. The corners of the pockets are rounded to use 4mm
square end mill.
Print the case and test it.

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 View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F93/QTTJ/L9ZNGXCR/F93QTTJL9ZNGXCR.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FQF/XB49/L9ZNGXDL/FQFXB49L9ZNGXDL.stl

Step 5: Machine the Case

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To machine the case, I used 4mm square end mill because the radius of the shank is same to the end of
the mill. It can machine deep pocket and vertical walls.
Attached les are the examples of the tool paths.

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 Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F40/J5GQ/L9ZNGYBF/F40J5GQL9ZNGYBF.nc

Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FAD/EERD/L9ZNGYBG/FADEERDL9ZNGYBG.nc

Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FYI/F2BD/L9ZNGYBH/FYIF2BDL9ZNGYBH.nc

Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FPP/WG66/L9ZNGYBI/FPPWG66L9ZNGYBI.nc

Step 6: Machine the Window

Machine the window from an acrylic plate.

To suppress heating, I use drops of the water.

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 View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F03/313V/L9ZNGYQM/F03313VL9ZNGYQM.stl

Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FKZ/DHUD/L9ZNGYQN/FKZDHUDL9ZNGYQN.nc

Step 7: Asssemble

Apply oil stain to the case.

Assemble the all parts.

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Step 8: Flash the Code

Flash the RPN calculator code to the micro controller.

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 Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FRA/BEVE/L9ZNGZ3Q/FRABEVEL9ZNGZ3Q.ino

Step 9: How to Use

You can use it with RPN style operation.

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 Functions appears with long press of keys or silver key.

Looks great!

Very nice! I have a fondness for calculators as well as wood.

That is very well done. Lovely project.

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