5 ms·
I'm curious about the following statement in the README: > The token is durable enough to survive on a key chain for years, even after going through the wash.
by vog 10y ago
I'm curious about the following statement in the README:
> The token is durable enough to survive on a key chain for years, even after going through the wash.
On the other hand, the token is shown as "naked electronics", without a husk.
Is that really sufficient for such a device? Does it really withstand (mineral) water, mechanical stress (key chain), let alone the combination of both (washing)?
- DigitalJack 10y agoLooks like it would do fine to me. You would want to clean it with alcohol if you ran it through the wash, to avoid corrosion, but otherwise it would be fine. I think it would be tough to break the board, so mechanically the worry would be bending some pins such that they shorted. I have no idea what the ESD sensitivity of the parts is, but if it's something your going to walk around with in your pocket, that's something to think about. I'd probably use some heatshrink tubing on it.
- aexaey 10y agoIt would absolutely not survive for very long like this (naked PCB on a key-chain). Mechanical damage from the actual keys on the same chain is what will kill it before water, sweat, washing liquid, pocket lint or ESD do. First things to fail will be ceramic capacitors torn/cracked and leads of SSOP-20 package bent/shorted. That said, it is trivial to protect the board from all of above - just wrap it (except USB connector) with insulating tape or better yet, cover with silicone putty, or similar.
- jacquesm 10y agoCast in epoxy. Cheap and quite durable.
- StavrosK 10y agoDo you have any information on what you need to buy and how it works? Do you need a hot air station?
- spacecowboy_lon 10y agoI think its a combo of two compounds that harden when mixed. http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/potting-compounds/1991402/ http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/potting-compounds/1991402/
- jacquesm 10y agoIt's just a base + a hardener, mix and cast. Make sure you protect switches and connectors before casting. The reaction is exothermal, if you cast larger volumes you may need to cool the whole thing to avoid trouble (such as fire).
- andrewwhartion 10y agoSimilar to this -> http://makezine.com/2012/04/12/the-most-beautiful-homemade-device-ive-ever-seen/ http://makezine.com/2012/04/12/the-most-beautiful-homemade-d...
- mng2 10y agoI'd be very skeptical about that claim without substantial evidence of it surviving in the field. Especially if you use ROHS solder, which is more brittle than leaded solder. There is an ESD diode in the design but it only protects certain pathways -- a zap could come from anywhere if the thing is bare.
- conorpp 10y agoIt's a good question. It's definitely not been through years of testing yet but in the past few months me and some friends have had no problems. All of the parts have a low center of mass with respect to the PCB and are unlikely to catch on anything. Water and/or sweat won't hurt it as long as it's dry when you use it. I've tested it works fine after putting it through a washer and dryer. However, making your own casing or 3D printing something like this [1] is always best [1]: https://github.com/conorpp/u2f-zero/blob/master/hardware/case/u2f-zero-case%20.stl https://github.com/conorpp/u2f-zero/blob/master/hardware/cas...