New Product Discoveries — SparkFun PIR Breakout Boards and LulzBot TAZ Pro S

This installment of New Product Discoveries takes a look at SparkFun’s breakout boards for the Panasonic EKM series of PIR sensors, along with the LulzBot TAZ Pro S desktop 3D printer.

Panasonic EKM passive infrared sensors are low profile with a wide 90° x 90° detection area featuring 32 detection zones. These sensors are optimized for small movement detection, and their low power consumption makes them ideal for energy-saving applications.

SparkFun offers breakout boards featuring either the EKMB1107112 or EKMC4607112K sensor. The EKMB sensor offers digital output at 1uA, perfect for battery-powered applications. The EKMC has digital or analog output and consumes 170uA. Both sensors showcase the black lens option.

Breakout boards are available in either a standard, breadboard compatible version, or a Qwiic version which provides the sensor output via I2C from either a standard 0.1” (2.54mm) pinout or SparkFun’s standard Qwiic connector ecosystem.

The LulzBot TAZ Pro S features their M175 tool head, capable of printing a wide variety of materials up to 290°C. The large 280 x 280 x 285 mm print volume utilizes a modular heated borosilicate glass bed with a PEI coating for better print adhesion.

Powered by a 32-bit based motherboard, the printer provides automatic bed leveling and offset calibration using the onboard calibration cube. Trinamic TMC2130 motor drivers provide reliable, quiet movement of the Bondtech extruder. The TAZ Pro S has a 5” color touchscreen controller and USB-A jack for standalone printing from a flash drive.

Dual filament sensors and LulzBot’s universal tool head design, combined with open hardware assembly guides, allow for the versatility of upgrades if multi-material print needs should arise.

This is just a brief overview of the products featured, so be sure to check out these suppliers and the individual products for more information with the links provided.