Circuit design needed.?

Question

I want to design a small circit.
Basically I want a timer, which when activated, counts from 1 to any variable (in this case lets say 100).

Each count should be 60 seconds apart, so we get a Beep or Buzz every 60 seconds. At each interval, I want a small display to count how many buzzes we have had, so at 30 minutes the display would say 30!

Simple. Or not??

I've built a few Maplin's kits in the past and I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron, but I dont know anything about how to make things like this.

Any help would be great - or if you know of a pre-made time like this, that would also do.

Answer 1

Have you considered using a microprocessor? I think the complexity of what you want would justify one.

A simple one such as an ATtiny or PIC can have a fairly accurate internal timer, and would also make it easy to interface with an LCD (if that's what you want for a display), a switch or button for starting or resetting the timer, and some circuit to drive a buzzer.

As far as a pre-made one, you might find an egg timer or stopwatch with the features you need.

Answer 2

This is a great project for a microcontroller, like a PIC, Parallax Basic Stamp, or other similar small microcontroller.

Not only will you learn a little about electronics in general, but you'll also get experience in programming microcontrollers.

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=64

http://www.parallax.com/

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Answer 3

Have you considered using flip-flos, there are no moving parts and are easily constructed, they will have to be series connected with a reset at the desired count.

Answer 4

for just modelling u can go with autocad., for analysis & further go for matlab with simulink. this will b great