Fab at Home, Open-Source 3D Printer, Lets Users Make Anything - October 1, 2007 12:00 AM Click here to post this video on your blog or website. Click here to post a photo of this winner on your blog or website. Hod Lipson didn't set out to revolutionize manufacturing. "To really let this robotic evolutionary process reach its full potential," says Lipson, a Cornell University computer and engineering faculty member, "we need a machine that can fabricate anything, not just complex geometry, but also wires and motors and sensors and actuators." A Fab at Home kit costs around $2400. MyDIYCNC - Home of the DIY Desktop CNC Machine | The Easiest Way to Desktop CNC Roland iModela Thinkmap visualization software facilitates communication, learn
How to Mesh Point Cloud with SketchUp Let’s confess: not everybody has talent to create an artistic 3D model. I don’t. I can create a couple of cubes in Google SketchUp (SU) and call it Toyota RAV4 (I suspect this is how they did it). But to create something a little more artistic let’s scan a thing, import point cloud into SU and make a polygon mesh model. I am aware of several triangulation tools for point clouds in SU, and though they arel limited to Delaunay triangulation method, these plugins are good! Points cloud triangulation by C. This is great plugin, but it requires delaunay2.rb plugin which you most likely will not be able to find : all the links are dead. Triangulate Points by TIG This is my favorite because it’s a package: you will get all you need in one place . Cloud_V8 (6,7.1) by D.Bur This plugin is essential for point cloud import. Draw a line_V1
Roland’s monoFab Prototyping Solution We had a look at Roland’s new twin machine prototyping solution they call “monoFab”. It’s a series of two different rapid prototyping machines. The ARM-10 provides desktop 3D printing capability, while the SRM-20 provides desktop milling functionality. The two machines together can provide a serious prototyping capability for any small workshop. The ARM-10 is a DLP-powered resin 3D printer, meaning it is capable of printing at pretty high resolution. Using photo curable resin, the DLP light engine repeatedly cures 0.01mm layers in its 130 x 70 x 70mm build volume.
ResourceFurniture Laser Cutting for Fun & Profit » Techspeak Laser Cut Flower I’ve been experimenting with laser cutting lately, and starting to get some results I like. It turned out to be more accessible than I expected, and what started as a single-purpose project is growing into an interesting creative outlet (You can follow my experiments on my Etsy store). Why & What to Laser Cut Laser cutting is awesome. Musical Notes Accent Mirrors Materials I’ve been working mostly with acrylic, which is light-weight, comes in a ton of colors, and relatively inexpensive (the images of my pieces on this page are all mirrored acrylic). Software I started out using Inkscape, an open source vector-based art program. Cutting As A Service I initially sent off the same design to two different cutting providers: Ponoko and Pololu. I now use Pololu exclusively, for two reasons. Profit One cool thing about laser cutting (like other CNC fabrication machines) is that once you have a cool design, you can systematically iterate on the design to improve it.
HP's Sprout uses a smart mat instead of keyboard and mouse For years, the design of desktop PCs has been relatively static when compared to the innovation tablets and smartphones have enjoyed. But now, Hewlett Packard is hoping to shake up the sector with a machine that uses a touch mat and in-built 3D camera as its main controls, leaving a keyboard and mouse as optional extras. The Sprout's projects graphics onto its mat to provide its owners with a limitless range of controls. These can be anything from normal computer icons and alphanumeric keyboards, to piano keys and DJ mixing decks - the only limit is the software developers' imagination. Owners can also capture objects by placing real-world products on top of the surface, allowing the items to be scanned and then reproduced as graphics that appear on the mat and can be manipulated by hand. Alternatively, the machine can create 3D-printer files that can be edited on the main screen before being turned into physical objects or shared with others.
Pricing guide to DIY CNC mill and router kits 18 DIY CNC kits from mini to mega Ponoko offers an online, on-demand CNC routing service where you can upload your design file and we’ll send you the CNC cut pieces. UPDATE: As of 18 February 2013, Ponoko is suspending its CNC routing service. But please check out our 3D Printing service and Laser Cutting service! But we know that lots of you makers would like your own CNC machine. This is a pretty thorough guide with brief introductions, images, and links to 18 different do-it-yourself CNC kits available for purchase. If you know of any other complete CNC kits available for purchase, please leave info in the comments. Also, I couldn’t have put this list together without the wealth of information available at the excellent and very active CNCZone forums. 1. Open hardware CNC & 3D printer kit. Successful Kickstarter project now offers complete kit for under $500. 3. Affordable & well supported project; perfect for beginners new to CNC. 4. micRo-kit™ — $699 6. 7. micRo m3-kit — $999 8. 9. 10.
Sabur XF DIVA - Sublimation InksSublimation Inks Advanced Media Handling The DIVA is ideal for long production runs thanks to its heavy duty media handling system that stabilise printer performance, ensures precision media feeding and support for media rolls up to 50kg. For added functionality, adjustable media holders placed on either side of the take-up system support narrower media rolls. Media loading is a breeze thanks to the DIVA’s new media loading levers, positioned conveniently at the front and the back of the machine. For unattended roll-to-roll printing, a media take-up system is included as standard. Staggered Print Head Technology for Stunning Image Quality The DIVA is equipped with the latest print head technology, featuring two 8-channel piezo inkjet heads with 180 nozzles per channel. Integrated Tri-Heater System Integrated The DIVA’s integrated tri-heater system dries prints quickly even in high-speed modes for immediate finishing, installation or collection by the take-up system. Intelligent Design, Reliably Productive
10 Tips for CNC Router Aluminum Cutting Success « CNCCookbook CNC Blog CNCCookbook CNC Blog Folks often ask whether a CNC Router can cut aluminum. They’re used to seeing the primarily cut wood and plastics. My answer to this question is always, “Yes, if you do it right.” There are a couple of things to remember about how aluminum (and other metals) are different from wood or plastics. Metals have much smaller sweet spots (narrower range of acceptible feeds and speeds) than wood or plastics… The second thing is that for aluminum (and some other metals), there is a “stickiness” factor. Despite these challenges, you can cut aluminum very successfully on almost any router. 1. A CNC Router can cut aluminum, but it isn’t the ideal tool for it. 2. Look, you’re going to approaching the limits of what your machine can do in all likelihood. Once you’ve got one, your first problem will be dealing with the recommended rpms being too low. 3. One way to bump up the recommended rpm is to be sure you’re using cutters that are happy going that fast. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Conclusion
The First Desktop Waterjet Cutter by WAZER Risks and challenges Mechanical WAZER is an incredibly complex machine, combining hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electrical systems. It’s a lot of components that need to work together seamlessly. That’s why we are a team of four engineers, with experience building machines and consumer products. Supply Chain To manufacture such a complex product we inherently will have to work with many suppliers, which will be a challenge to manage and ensure that components are made properly. Quality Assembling each waterjet will be a challenge to ensure that everything works properly. Software WAZER's user-centric software still needs development - currently we run WAZER using modified off-the-shelf CAM software and motion controller. Expertise We are also going to need to grow our team, which is where a portion of the funding we raise will go towards. Learn about accountability on Kickstarter