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!

Linear actuators without shafting

Linear actuators without shafting

A major obstacle standing in the way of total self-replication by rapid prototyping machines, notably RepRap, is that certain of the components, particularly ground shafting (or threaded rod) for the Cartesian robot’s linear actuators, require greater precision than the machines are currently capable of. Thingiverse user fdavies is engaged in a noble effort to design printable linear actuators that require no shafting and are instead based on the hinged Sarrus linkage (Wikipedia). Excelsior!

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan

Pepakura-cast Halo helmet

YouTuber utubewarrenj is part of a community of cosplayers that are using a pretty amazing low-tech process to go from digital models to relatively accurate, durable real-world objects. Basically, they print out, fold up, and tape together elaborate paper models (for an idea of how much work this is, check out this video by SeamusRocks99), then fiberglass over and/or cast liquid polymer resin into them to produce durable full-size artifacts, which is what he’s showing here.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan6

3D printable business card case

If you’re going to give out delicate custom business cards that were made using the aid of some fancy machine, you’d better have the geek cred and 3D printed business card holder to back them up. More: Adafruit’s business card makes art! 3D printed business card holder (another one) PCB business cards Business card caliper

Continue Reading Becky Stern2