Linkdump: March 2016

By Lenore Edman on March 31, 2016

concrete head, from Ponoko

Stripping a multilayer PCB, one layer at a time.
DIY Backyard Bowling Alley
Make a plaster cast from a laser cut mold
Electronic design for a Business-card sized ECG machine
Make a Candy Terrarium
A Plagiarism Scandal Is Unfolding In The Crossword World
A controversy in 3D scans of an already controversial bust of Nefertiti
Magnificent marble music machine Wintergatan.
How it works: Part 1, Part 2
Cover song: Apostle Of Hustle x Zeus – Bizarre Love Triangle
While we’re at it: Blue Monday, 1930’s style
A compact new spaceship discovered in Conway’s game of life
The FSF rates single board computers
The Practical Limits of Trip Times to the Planets

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Instructables Egg Contest

By Lenore Edman on March 27, 2016

We’re excited to be partnering with Instructables for the Egg Contest 2016.

It’s springtime, the season when eggs traditionally get their moment of glory. In the Egg Contest we want to see what happens when you scramble up your creativity with this theme. Any and all entries highlighting or featuring eggs (or egg-like creations) are eligible.

Prizes include the EggBot Pro and Deluxe EggBots. We’re looking forward to seeing your entries!

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Stroboscopic patterns for Easter eggs

By Lenore Edman on March 24, 2016

Jiri Zemanek from Prague sent in this fabulous video of eggs decorated using the EggBot, some with markers, and some with the Electro-Kistka.

Various patterns are generated in Matlab using mathematical equations similar to ones describing Spirograph (or harmonograph) and Phyllotaxis. The patterns are calculated in such a way that when rotated under a stroboscopic light of suitable frequency or when recorded by a camera, they start to animate. It is kind of zoetrope— early device for animation. … Eggs are rotated at a constant speed, special for each pattern, by a brushless motor. No computer graphics tricks are used in the video.

Additional information is available at their site.

This entry was posted in CNC, Eggbot, Mathematics. Bookmark the Permalink.

Introducing the AxiDraw

By Windell Oskay on March 9, 2016

We are very pleased to introduce our newest art robot: the AxiDraw.

The AxiDraw is a simple, modern, precise, and versatile pen plotter, capable of writing or drawing on almost any flat surface. It can write with your favorite fountain pens, permanent markers, and other writing implements to handle an endless variety of applications. Its unique design features a writing head that extends beyond the machine, making it possible to draw on objects bigger than the machine itself.

The AxiDraw is a fantastic machine for making art — along with all those other things that you might use a pen-wielding robot for: Making “hand written” invitations, signing forms, or making neater whiteboard art than one might otherwise be able to.

AxiDraw is available to order today, and begins shipping next week. See it in action and learn more on the product page.

This entry was posted in CNC, EMSL Projects, Engineering, Evil Mad Scientist Shop, Robotics and tagged AxiDraw. Bookmark the Permalink.

Make Vol. 50

By Lenore Edman on March 7, 2016

I was very excited to get Make: Vol. 50 in the mail today. I’m included in the article A Decade in the Making by Gareth Branwyn.

For our 50th issue, we’ve collected a small sampling of these Makers who’ve had great influence in the Maker Movement.

It is an honor to be pictured alongside such awesome people as Jie Qi and Kate Hartman.

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HackerBoxes

By Lenore Edman on March 4, 2016

H4X0R SK00L picture of kit contents for HackerBoxes #0004

HackerBoxes are a monthly kit subscription for a box of electronics to learn from and hack on. This month, they included our Three Fives board as part of a 555 timer themed box. They post a monthly set of instructions over at instructables, which contain projects you can do even if you’re not a subscriber.

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555 Teardown

By Lenore Edman on March 3, 2016

Ken Shirriff has posted a teardown of the beloved 555 timer IC. He sawed the top of a metal can packaged 555 to expose the die underneath.

On top of the silicon, a thin layer of metal connects different parts of the chip. … Under the metal, a thin, glassy silicon dioxide layer provides insulation between the metal and the silicon, except where contact holes in the silicon dioxide allow the metal to connect to the silicon. At the edge of the chip, thin wires connect the metal pads to the chip’s external pins.

He goes on to explain how it works and its cultural significance. He even mentions our discrete 555 and 555 footstool in the footnotes.

This entry was posted in Electronics, Engineering. Bookmark the Permalink.

The Adafruit Dronies

By Lenore Edman on March 2, 2016

I’m pleased to announce that I’m on the judging panel for the new Adafruit Drone Film Fest, the Adafruit Dronies 2016.

The Adafruit Dronies celebrates videos taken from drones. The contest is open to everyone in the United States to show and share their amazing drone videos. You’ll be judged on creative use of technology, storytelling, and cinematography.

Entries are limited to five minutes and winners receive trophies as well as gift certificates to the Adafruit store. The lineup of judges is amazing, and we’re looking forward to seeing your entries!

This entry was posted in Art, Engineering. Bookmark the Permalink.