Digital Fabrication

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!

MakerBots at Cambridge Mini Maker Faire

At the Cambridge Mini Maker Faire, we had a whole mess of Makerbots. People were very curious about all the plastic being extruded and had lots of questions of the hardy Makerbotters. I had a chance (since I was in the next booth over) to ask a few questions of my own.

Want to know more about the Makerbot? Get your hands on a copy of MAKE, Volume 21. The Makerbot site is full of good info, and you can see and share lots of designs for parts that can be made over at Thingiverse.

Computer-assisted ice construction

Computer-assisted ice construction

Scholars from Québec’s McGill University converted a FAB@HOME 3D printer to output in ice. Currently, the practical applications of this project include commercial and industrial part modeling, and construction for the ice-tourism industry. For instance, small-scale ice models represent economical alternatives to intricate 3D models of architectural objects, be they scale models of buildings, site […]

Bottle opener ring for bartenders

Bottle opener ring for bartenders

Dustin Wallace, whose Oriboto Robotagami I am always raving about, also makes this wicked-looking wearable bottle opener intended for beverage-slangin’ professionals. You can wear it on the top or bottom of your palm. It’s good-looking, provides plenty of leverage, and seems like it might come in handy when the guys in black cowboy hats start smashing bottles over people’s heads.

MAKE/MakerBot giveaway update

MAKE/MakerBot giveaway update

We’re racking up the entries for the MAKE/MakerBot CupCake CNC kit giveaway! Design a 3D object and put it on Thingiverse for a chance to win your own 3D printer! Bre’s been tagging Thingiverse things with “makeentry” (169 so far) to organize them on their end, but you can also see all the entries so […]

Makerbot heated conveyor belt

Makerbot heated conveyor belt

Charles Pax of NYC Resistor is working on a neat project, a heated conveyor belt allowing you to print multiple objects without having to manually remove each output — the conveyor rolls the items off into a hopper as it’s completed, while still packing the same benefits as the heated build platform. The secret is […]