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!
Check out these sweet laser-cut MAKE back issue boxes that Jonathan Danforth made and loaded onto Thingiverse. I like the look of MAKE magazine on my bookshelves but I wanted something to store them in that was similar to the holders I use for other magazines. MAKE’s (and CRAFT’s) unique form factor require a custom […]
Thiingiverse user natetrue created this printable version of user stickoutrock’s laser-cut cross-linked elliptical gear toy. Somebody post some video, please!
Sketchup is an easy-to-learn program for 3D modeling. While it gives you an easy way to design creatively, it is a bit more challening to design accurately. If you are going to make physical models of your designs, you will need to make them small enough to fit on the tool that will make the part. You can send the 3D models to a number of toos, including the ShopBot, CNC Mill and MakerBot, among others.
If you follow these pretty easy steps, you can get yourself and your students into the habit of designing accurately dimensioned objects. Here is a set of screenshots and a sample file that show the steps of this process.
Check out the work of Ottawa maker Andrew Plumb. A few months ago, he created the .stl of a four-stud disk, uploaded it to Thingiverse, prototyped it on his Makerbot and then sent it off to fabbing service Shapeways to be output in plastic as well as bronze-infused steel. In more recent experiment, Plumb used […]
I just found out that Shapeways is offering full color 3D printing using a Zcorp 650 3D printer. This isn’t painted, but rather embedded in the materials (there are binder, powder and five inkjet color cartridges used at print time).
According to Thingiverse user mappum, who recently published an STL version of a similar gizmo these beautiful do-nothings are printed to test commercial rapid prototyping machines.
This fun chess set ostensibly can be printed by a 3D printer, though there seem to be a lot of overhangs to me. Nevertheless it’s a fun idea. Basically, creator laird designed each piece to display what moves it can make in order to “make Chess approachable for kids.” The king has the tallest ‘body’ […]
