introduction plus question

[hafsa]

Good Morning! I'm sorry about my bad English but i don't know how to write a correct English.
I am from Portugal, I don't bring a lot to the table since I know little to nothing of electronics. I have been putting together my small lab and I have lots of parts , a hantek scope DSO4254C "I know but is what i can pay" DC power supply autotransformer solder station ...
I need help with two things:
first I'm studding mechatronics, not the fancy university course, a professional course 1and a half year +-.  knowing what I have, does anyone have a suggestion about what should I invest next for my  electronics kit next?
second I have a problem with mu scope, I actually don't if it is a problem, maybe one of you have experience with Hantek, the fan keeps working continually  from the moment I turn it on, even when is really cold and I don't know if this is something normal because I dot think or  I don't remember of it to doing this before.

This is all, thank-you !!!

[Grandchuck]

It is normal for the fan to be always on in many instruments.  Does the manual mention it?

Do you have a decent DMM?

[hafsa]

Hi Grandchuck.
the manual does not mention anything about the fan.

I do have a DMM, a uni-t 181A, I am planning to buy another one soon.

Thank-you

[Grandchuck]

The 181A is an excellent meter.  I have one and am impressed by it.  Having two DMMs is an excellent idea.

I would say, for now, continue experimenting and learning.  If something comes up that you can't do, then you can decide if another purchase is warranted.

Welcome to the forum, by the way!

[rstofer]

Welcome!

I wouldn't worry about the  fan, it is quite common that they run full time.

The very popular Rigol DS1054Z scope fan runs full time and the factory fan is quite loud.  Many people, myself included, change the fan at the earliest opportunity.

[rstofer]

You will eventually need a function generator, perhaps even a two channel unit.  You might start a thread about entry level function generators because they are priced all over the place.

Here is an inexpensive unit that I know nothing about:

https://www.amazon.com/DOMINTY-Generator-AC100-240V-Arbitrary-Frequency/dp/B07N3WJRDM

You might try the search feature for FY6900 because this looks like a rebrand of another manufacturer - Feeltech, I think.  It isn't highly regarded but I wonder if there is something similar in the same price range.  The Test Equipment forum here on eevBlog might have a few threads.

For simple square waves, a microcontroller does a fine job.  Add a digital to analog converter and it will produce just about any waveform at relatively low frequencies.  An Arduino will do this.  Look at the tone() function for generating a square wave of some arbitrary frequency.

Mechatronics will inevitably use PWM for servos.  Most uCs can do  a decent job of creating these signals.

I would certainly have an Arduino Uno and a Raspberry Pi 4 on my bench as universal tools.