Maker Hobbies: Papercraft mech automaton
In response to Gareth’s post asking readers to share some of their hobbies, J Hodgie shared this fantastic walking papercraft mech warrior. Fantastic work!
Robotics
Making a robot can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s the perfect combination of creativity, engineering and problem solving. However, if you’re just getting started in robotics, it can also be overwhelming. To make things easier for those who are just starting out, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help makers bring robots to life! From the basics of assembling your robot to software implementation, these pointers will give you everything you need to get started on your robotic adventure!
The Mechanical Glory of the IBM Selectric Typewriter
A “whiffletree” is a mechanical digital-to-analog converter. Brilliant science-and-technology documentarian Bill Hammack, professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Illinois, has produced this fascinating video anatomy of IBM’s classic Selectric typewriter, in which a 7-bit whiffletree is employed to convert keypresses (digital) to precisely coordinated tugs (analog) on the control cables that rotate and tilt the type ball. Doubly awesome is the fact that the video features an appendix (yes, a video appendix) which focuses exclusively on the whiffletree itself, closely illustrating its operation with a simple 2-bit case.
Impressive laser-cut wooden Mars rover model
Back in April I blogged about the plans and kits for this and other elaborate laser-cut wooden models available from WoodMarvels.com. At the time, I snarked a bit about how all the images on their website are actually CG renderings, implying that, with models that complicated, it’d be nice to have some reassurance that somebody, somewhere, had put together a real physical version in the real physical world before giving up the green. Well, MAKE pal and dynamite CNC contractor Angus Hines sprung for a set of plans, cut the parts on his own equipment, and took these cool photos of the assembled model on red clay to suggest the Martian surface. [Thanks, Angus!]
Perpet marble machine
Lets Make Robots user David Hasle made this wonderful marble sculpture using a PICAXE microcontroller, servo, battery, and some wire.
Magnificent mech costume
Holy smokes. My personal post-Halloween costume timer officially expired yesterday, but I had to make an exception for this work of art from “friend of a friend” of Redditron This_comment_has. So. Awesome. [via Boing Boing] More: Behold Your Doom: Children’s battle mech Real-life mech awakens, emits flame from appendages Star Wars AT-ST (Chicken walker) costume […]
DIY universal robot gripper
Inspired by the awesome universal robotic gripper, Carlos of Carlito’s Contraptions decided to take matters into his own hands, and built his own using a party balloon, tubing, cloth, coffee, rubber band, and his lungs.
Autonomous armed cellbot sentry
A robot army’s got to start somewhere, right? Not quite an army yet, but definitely in the minion category, Squirt, from cellbot hacker Michael Winter means business. Pesky vermin beware!
