SplineScan is a low-cost, cross-platform 3D scanning system. Although this project is not confined to a single method of scanning, the primary project at the moment is a motion controlled laser line scanner, which is now in phase two of a three phase development cycle. Less than $100. Will be exhibited at lugradio live 2005 in Wolverhampton, UK, on the 25th of June. Thanks monkeysailor! Link.
Back in February Lexmark lost their attempt to stop companies making less expensive printer cartridges, they tried to use the DMCA but luckily the courts threw it out. But that’s not stopping Lexmark, they’re still trying and went to the supreme court to stop Static Control Components (again) but it doesn’t look like they’re getting an audience. If Lexmark wins a case like this it would be hard to get less expensive cartridges, kits, power supplies and batteries since everyone would just add a chip in them with “copyrighted” programs Link.
Science Friday’s latest audio is up. Joshua Bloom Assistant Professor of Astronomy and the University of California, Berkeley talks about the mysterious gamma ray bursters, they also talk about using elevators to get to space and then engineering needed, along with some really neat research in how our eyes work. The more rare an object is, the less likely you’re going to recognize when you’re looking for it… Link.
Altoids tins are one of favorite projects cases (seen here). Now Altoids is having a very neat Maker-like contest. To enter you just need to make something out of the Altoids Tin, it can be techy or arty, it can also be the tin from mints, sours and chewing gun. I really like that Altoids is encouraging reuse of their containers. First prize is $1000! Update: Just be aware they’ll own the copyright to it. They should do a Creative Commons License Link.
Encouraging. According to AUTOSAR, replacing an evil stew of proprietary automotive software with open code could save OEMs and suppliers millions of dollars and improve systems’ efficacy and functionality. What’s more, if vehicles’ discrete systems were able to share standardized data, a car would become a kind of distributed computing platform — rather than a series of independent modules — allowing for far more efficient processes. Link.
These look really amazing. Free Spirit Spheres has commenced limited production of the 3.2 metre fibreglass sphere tree houses and now has sphere shells and kits available for the DIY market. Orders are now also being taken for the wooden shells and component kits and fully-finished made-to-order wooden Free Spirit Spheres. Shells can also be rented for the night (if you’re in Canada). Link.
More art with paper platers! Here are pictues of more recent models over the last four years. They are all folded from 9″ paper plates. They represent one direction in exploring the potential of folding circles. The one constraint I adhere to is never cut the circle. To do so would be to destroy the wholeness and limit potential. These are all expressions of the folded circle in multiples to itself. How-to and gallery.
