Invented by Cambridge mathematician John Conway, the Game of Life is a cellular automation game that is a zero-player game. The evolution of the cells is determined by the initial conditions of the cells.
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Step #1: Gather your Materials
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- Open up the Game of Life bag of components and check to make sure that you have all of the necessary parts to assemble the kit.
- Heat up your soldering iron, wet your sponge, and let's get ready to solder the Game of Life Kit!
Step #2: Insert all of the Resistors
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- You have 16 resistors, all of the same resistance.
- In locations R1 through R16, insert the LEDs into the circuit board. Resistors are not polarized, so it does not matter which direction you put them in.
- Solder the resistors in.
Step #3: Clip the Resistor Leads
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- It is important to clip the leads of the resistors to ensure that there are no shorts in the circuit.
- Be sure to save one of these leads, because we will need to use it soon.
Step #4: Insert the IC Socket
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- Note the notch on the end of the socket. Match this up with the notch on the silk-screened circuit board.
- Insert the socket into its holes and make sure that it is flush with the PCB before soldering it in.
- Then carefully solder the socket in, being careful not to bridge any solder pads.
Step #5: Inserting the LEDs
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- You have 16 LEDs that you need to solder into the PCB.
- LEDs are polarized, so it is important that you insert them correctly. The longer lead on the LED is the "+" lead. The shorter lead, also the side with the flat spot on the LED's case, is the "-" lead.
- Insert all of the LEDs in, and solder them in. Once they are all soldered, clip their leads.
Step #6: Insert the Ceramic Capacitor
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- In location C3, insert the small yellow ceramic capacitor.
- This component is not polarized, so it does not matter in which direction you insert it.
- Solder it in and then clip the leads.
Step #7: Jumping IC2
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- Retrieve one of the leads you clipped from your resistors.
- Bend it into a staple shape and thread it through the outer two holes in the location IC2. Refer to the image if you are confused. This is called jumping the chip.
- Solder it in and then clip the leads.
- Make sure that the wire is not in contact with the middle pad.
Step #8: Inserting the ON/OFF/RESET Button
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- In the location marked ON/OFF, press the push-button switch down into the PCB. It should snap into place, and it does not matter in which direction you insert it.
- Solder this switch in.
Step #9: Insert the Chip
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- There is a notch on the chip, so make sure that you match up the notch on the socket with the notch on the chip.
- You may need to bend the leads on the chip slightly in order for it to fit into the socket.
- Press it into the socket and it should fit securely.
Step #10: Inserting the Battery Holder
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- If you feel like the battery holder's leads are too long, feel free to shorten them...but not too much.
- You will need to tin the leads with solder if you do this, however.
- The red wire should go into the hole marked with the "+", while the black wire should be inserted into the hole marked with the "-".
- You can insert the leads from the bottom up if you want the board to look a little cleaner.
Step #11: Test it out!
- Insert two AA batteries into the battery holder.
- You will see the game start. If you press the ON/OFF button, it will reset into a checkerboard pattern.
- Place some sticky tape on the back of the battery holder, and press it on to the back of the PCB.
- Now you can keep it on your desk and play the Game of Life!
