Digital fabrication tools have revolutionized the way designers, engineers, and artisans express their creativity. With the right resources, you can learn to use these powerful instruments in no time! Whether it’s 3D printing or laser cutting that interests you, these articles will provide useful tutorials and inspiration for makers of all levels. Discover how digital fabrication can open up new possibilities so that your craftsmanship is truly extraordinary!
This is the second-to-last installment of my ongoing series on building the MakerGear Mosaic 3D printer. This part covers assembly of the heated build platform, including installation and adjustment of the leveling plate, mounting the heating element and build surface, and making the associated electrical connections.
To celebrate the release of our latest publication, the Make: Ultimate Kit Guide 2012 (and its companion website), we’re giving away at least one of the cool kits reviewed in the issue each day during the holiday season. Today, we’re giving away our fifth and final MakerBot Thing-O-Matic (a $1,300 value!), featured on the cover of the Ultimate Kit Guide.
The folks over at the Additive Manufacturing Lab, GE Global Research, sent us this video about their 3D-printed jet-engine Christmas tree decoration. They’re looking to see what sorts of other 3D-printed and science-tech-themed tree ornaments makers are creating. If you’ve made any such ornaments, post them to their Edison’s Desk Facebook page.
I love the look of this Prusa Mendel RepRap 3D-printer fork designed by Thingiverse user Mecano. Shown above is a concept rendering of his second prototype, Prusa Air 2, which hasn’t been built yet, and below, the physical prototype of Prusa Air 1. Among Manuel’s stated design goals for the project were “a little beauty,” which I daresay he has already achieved, admirably.
Hi makers! This is my unscientific list of favorite printable projects we’ve blogged about over the past year. What cool projects did I miss? Post in the comments.
If you’re planning on getting a 3D printer for yourself, the decisions about what to buy, and who to buy it from, can be daunting. If you’re trying to buy a gift for a 3D printing enthusiast, and don’t necessarily share his or her passion for the subject, they can be downright overwhelming, not to mention expensive. Fortunately, there are quality gift options short of buying a whole printer, and we’ve listed some great ones, below, from lowest to highest price. On the other hand, if you’re ready to take the plunge and buy a whole printer, our preferred makes and models are listed at the end of the guide, again in order of increasing price.
Almost every time I attempt to shoot video with a handset I end up inadvertently covering up the microphone or lens, which can be a real drag when I go to view it later on. This has led me to develop a rather cumbersome grip that I use when I film something with my phone. This collapsable iPhone Camera Handle from Chris over at TheNewHobbiest seems like the perfect remedy for this situation
