MAX7219 breakout digit board README

max7219-breakout-digits/README.md

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+# 7-segment display MAX7217 breakout digits board
+
+These digit holder boards are part of the [MobiFlight MAX7219 Breakout System](https://shop.mobiflight.com/product/max7219-breakout-system) available on the [MobiFlight Shop](https://shop.mobiflight.com/product/max7219-digit-pcb-system-50cm). They are not meant to be used alone.
+
+![Segment module](breakout-assembled.png)
+
+
+## Skills required
+If you want to assemble the modules yourself, you should have a basic understanding of electronics and reasonable soldering skills. 
+
+This kit includes basic through-hole components with standard 2.54mm pin spacing, so it's reasonably easy to assemble, but at minimum you should be able to solder pin connections where the solder flows correctly. 
+
+If you are unsure, for a peace of mind we recommend that you get the modules pre-assembled and tested.
+
+## Assembly instructions
+
+### Included parts
+The kit consists of 
+* the printed circuit board (pcb), 
+* a flat cable (IDC) connector, 
+* a pair of female pin headers,
+* a common cathode 7-segment display module
+
+The kit has variants for various number of digits on the 7-segment, but the contents are otherwise identical. 
+
+The pin headers are optional. You can either use them and solder the 7-segment first, remove the display module, and then solder the IDC connector, avoiding soldering next to the connector plastic. Or you can also leave the pin headers out, as it is not a particularly tight fit. And thus is also a reasonable choice that results in a more compact module.
+
+### Let's get started!
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]  
+> Push the female pin headers onto the 7-segment module pins. **If you want to leave the headers out for a more compact module, solder the IDC connector first.** Soldering the 7-segment module directly onto the PCB will cover the IDC connector pins, and they cannot be soldered after the digit module.
+
+#### Segment module
+
+Place the circuit board upright in front of you, so that the MobiFlight logo is upright. Insert the 7-segment module into the holes near the board edge. Make sure the decimal points are also oriented correctly. Even though the image below is missing the pin headers, **double check that you installed the pin headers to the 7-segment module at this point**. The image below does *not* feature them, but your module should!
+
+![Segment module](breakout-digit-assembly.png)
+
+Flip the board over and solder the pin header pins in place.
+
+![Segment module](breakout-digit-soldering.png)
+
+After you have soldered the headers in, remove the segment module from the headers and proceed to install the flat cable connector.
+
+#### Flat cable connector
+
+The IDC connector goes on the bottom side of the pcb. There is a white silkscreen image of the connector outline that matches the orientation of the cutout in the connector:
+
+![Breakout connector](breakout-connector-assembly.png)
+
+Check that the connector is oriented correctly, paying attention to the cutout, then flip the board over.
+
+This image shows how the connector pins are visible between the two pin headers we installed earlier. Again, solder all the pins of the connector in place.
+
+![Breakout connector](breakout-connector-soldering.png)
+
+After this you can insert the 7-segment digit module, checking that it is oriented the same way as the MobiFlight logo. 
+
+Your breakout digit module is now assembled.