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!
Have you seen the rad pentominoes animal puzzle that Make: Online Contributing Writer Sean Ragan made using OpenSCAD? Check out his tutorial for this open solid 3D modeling software and then join us on Ustream at 1pm EST (10am PST) where we’ll be printing the puzzle pieces in a live webcast. Sean and I will […]
In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to use OpenSCAD to produce a simple 3D model by extruding a part profile produced in normal drawing software. I use Adobe Illustrator CS3 because I have access to it and am familiar with its interface, but the popular freeware drawing program InkScape will read and write DXF files natively, and there’s no reason why it couldn’t serve just as well if you prefer it. There are a number of other free and low-cost programs that will export DXF files. OpenSCAD’s developer mentions QCAD, which is available from its developer RibbonSoft for 24EUR.
Join me and fellow Make: Online contributor Sean Ragan this Friday for some LIVE 3D printing action using my MakerBot CupCake CNC machine. This will coincide with a Make: Projects 3D modeling tutorial using OpenSCAD, and will give you a chance to ask us questions about the models, the machine, and see it BZZTREEAAOOWWWing live […]
My first print! OK, this really isn’t my first print, it’s actually my second print. Not bad, huh? My first print was a “raft” that didn’t stick. I did a little research online and found that my temperature was probably too cold. I increased the temperature by about 15 Degrees C and it worked perfectly […]
Lets jump right in here. We’re getting close to the end! Start by attaching the motherboard and stepper driver boards to the right side of the CupCake CNC. Make sure to use the included plastic spacers to keep the electronics away from the wood. Now you can connect the four-pin Molex connectors from the power […]
Building the Plastruder isn’t too difficult, but it does take about two hours. I’m highlighting the general build process. You are going to want to follow the official directions carefully, double-checking everything. It’s not hard to build, but having a short, or other problem, can lead to disastrous results. I like how MakerBot Industries describes […]
Next up, is building and installing the Z stage. This is one of the easiest parts of the build. Start by attaching the wooded brackets to the Z stage. There are (4) “U” shaped brackets. The shape allows you to remove the entire Z stage easily for maintenance or part replacement. Also, it makes adjusting […]
