REMOTICON 2020 SMD Challenge

Being remote can't stop the Hackaday SMD Challenge! Join this friendly competition from wherever you are. Watch and learn the techniques others use. The SMD Challenge isn't just a test of skills, the main goal is to come together and celebrate everyone who tries, whether it's their first time or they're decades-long profession.

REMOTICON 2020 SMD Challenge Rules

The Challenge will start, Friday, Nov. 6th at a time TBC, and conclude on Sunday, Nov. 8th at a time TBC. The SMD Challenge Kits are free, participants only need to pay for shipping.

Official Rules:

1. You can only compete in one heat.
2. You must have a way to video stream your workspace using Zoom (or TBD).
3. Prior to each heat, we will provide a key number that you must write legibly somewhere on camera and leave it for the entire heat.
4. Your video must show all work and your demonstration of successful completion.
5. You must show the sealed kit before the heat and open the box on camera.
6. You must disclose all equipment you are using or plan to use prior to the heat.

Scoring is based on time, completion, functionality (of the circuits you attempted to complete), neatness, and solder joint quality. If the top score is a tie, the fastest time across all the heats will be the winner.

IMPORTANT:

You must have a ticket for the main Remoticon to join the SMD challenge. In addition to the kit, you will need tools and a CR2032 battery as they are not included in the kit. Full list below.

Free kits for REMOTICON challenge participants

These SMD Challenge Kits are free for participants who sign up for the REMOTICON challenge in advance. You will only need to pay for shipping.

• Participants will be sent an automatic email from tindie.com with a discount code for one free kit. Apply the code at checkout. Email hello@tindie.com if you have trouble using the code.
• You can apply more than one SMD Challenge code at checkout so you can save on shipping with your friends.
• We are unable to refund orders where the code has not been applied, so double-check the confirmation details when checking out.
• We cannot be responsible for delays in shipping or orders that are placed too late to arrive in time.
• There is a limited supply of 200, so the kits are only free while stocks last.

The original SMD Challenge Kit can be bought for $12 each here: www.tindie.com/products/makersbox/smd-challenge/

More about the kit, written by the creator MakersBox

In trying to design a beginning surface mount kit, I began to wonder just how small a surface mount part you could hand solder. This project, as titled on Hackaday.io, "An Unfortunate SMD Project", is ultimately designed to make you fail.

In case you didn't read the above description, let me reiterate: I can almost guarantee you will fail, even though I provide extra components so you can take more than one try.

Should you succeed, and that, as stated above, is unlikely, you are eligible for inclusion for the exclusive 0201 Club and a digital copy of a Certificate of Membership.

What you get

• Attiny SOIC-8 package
• Resistors and LEDs: 1206, 0850, 0603, 0402, and 0201 packages
• Extra 0201 LED and resistors because you will loose them, guaranteed
• CR2032 Coin Cell holder (you supply battery)
• Detailed BOM at https://hackaday.io/project/25265-an-unfortunate-smd-project

What else you will need

• CR2032 battery
• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Solder wick
• Wire nippers
• Tweezers
• A steady hand
• Magnification
• Datasheets for the LEDs to determine orientation.
• A lot of patience, persistence, and a positive attitude!