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3D crap
I got a 3D printer (a PrintrBot Simple Metal model 1403), and it’s been great. I don’t have time to write much, so I’ll share highlights: I’m on Thingiverse here. I’ve already put up a bunch of crap,...
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Fixing a PrintrBot with open source parts
I really like my PrintrBot. It’s compact, reliable, and straightforward to build. Unfortunately, when I started getting ambitious with experimentation, I got into trouble. Basically, I started...
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Using Nylon trimmer line with a PrintrBot and Gaffer’s Tape
People have been experimenting with Nylon trimmer line for a while, and I wanted to give it a shot, since nylon is tougher, more flexible, smoother for moving parts, and can handle higher temperatures....
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Here’s some huge wallpapers made of math
I don’t feel like writing a big post explaining all of it, so the summary is that I spent a few hours playing with colorspaces, Hilbert curves, and image generation, and produced some stuff that looks...
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Generating 3D-printable pieces directly from EAGLE PCB designs
NOTE: Everything involved in this post is available for download here. I while back, I made this PCB that acts as a big daisy-chainable two-digit 7-segment display using the WS2803D and discrete LEDs....
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How to make a ton of clear LEDs into diffuse LEDs
Step 1: Make a rock tumbler out of some threaded rods, bearings, a motor, and a spaghetti jar: Step 2: Get sand. If you don’t live in a beach/desert, you can probably get some for free from a...
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AC power control without touching AC power
In this article I’ll show a simple 3D design for a servo mount to control a light switch for about $3, plus some electronics to drive it with a neat little interface. This article explains how I used...
View ArticleDIY Hall Effect Tachometer
Magnet sensor (A3144’s) + magnets + spinny disc = tachometer. Here’s the quick and dirty code I used — it’s good enough for a demo. EDIT: Ha, I found a video of someone else doing the same thing, but...
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MC Escher “Concentric Rinds” in 3D
I recently saw the M.C. Escher exhibit at the NC Museum of Art, and one piece that stuck with me was Concentric Rinds: The geometry bugged me for a while until I finally figured it out and sketched it...
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Adapting an mSATA card to a 2.5″ laptop bay
Here’s the short story in picture form: Model available here. More pictures:
View ArticleMostly Printed CNC: Plotting
If you like clumsily drawn squares, you will like this video. http://discspace.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2016-07-05-02.50.54b.mp4
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Mostly Printed CNC: IT WORKS
I strapped an incredibly crappy Harbor Freight Cutoff Tool to the MPCNC (related posts) thanks to this mount, and I was actually able to mill something! It worked! I crudly cut the hand-drawn letters...
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MPCNC: Custom mods and part of a dickbutt
I’ve posted two custom parts for the MPCNC: a wire harness and a customizable end-stop holder. This test model works as well in 2D as it does in 3D! I tried a test run of the Optimal Fabrication Test...
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MPCNC: A relay-switched outlet box
On Thingiverse I’ve posted a model and schematic for a relay-switched outlet box. This will let you switch an outlet on/off with an Arduino pin. That’s nothing new, but it’s a box that puts all the...
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MPCNC: it drew this
The MPCNC with my rudimentary pen holder was able to draw this. I need to add some kind of spring downforce on the pen to deal with small differences in depth (which is why the lower left is faded)....
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MPCNC: new pen holder and trochoidal milling
I improved the Z coupling, made a much better pen holder, and discovered trochoidal milling, which, in addition to making actual milling easier, draws cool pictures if used with a pen. The pen holder...
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MPCNC: Lumber ID
If you’re like me, you live in constant fear of criminals breaking into your backyard shed and stealing your valuble scrap pieces of 2×4. Well, worry no longer: Now you can protect your lumber scraps...
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MPCNC: Adding threaded hold-down holes
To easily hold stuff in place on the MPCNC, I used OpenSCAD to script it to drill a grid of 9mm holes in the bed, then I installed 1/4-20 threaded inserts into them. This lets me tighten down simple...
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