Shawn Thorsson explains the build process for his props and costumes at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. First he starts with a digital 3D model, then cuts the pieces out with a CNC machine, assembles them and fine tunes with wood shaping techniques, then casts molds so he can reproduce them. The result are authentic looking reproductions of popular costumes.
Continue ReadingIra Sherman is an artist who sculpts work that has been shown worldwide in museums such as the Smithsonian. At Maker Faire Bay Area 2011 he brings structures that are created from tubular frames in curvilinear shapes that are meant to fit the contours of the human body.
Continue ReadingMichael Schiess shows the exhibits in his Lil Juju Mobile Pinball Museum. The centerpiece on display at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011 is his vintage machine that’s been refitted completely in clear plexiglass, so that attendees can see the inner workings of the pinball machine while its being played.
Continue Reading
The Digi Comp II is a replica of a binary mechanical computer that can perform basic mathematical functions. As shown by Windell Oskay of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011, it uses billiard balls as its counters and performs calculations in real time as the balls make their transit down a ramp with specially places guides and levers.
Continue ReadingTony Regalbuto’s father has a penchant for decorating the family’s front yard with whimsical, sometimes frightening, humanoid decorations. Many of the characters are based around Posables, a system of configurable mannequins demonstrated at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. These seem to be the perfect template for creating scary (animatronic?) ghouls, monsters, and goblins for this Halloween season.
Continue ReadingJeffrey Lipton of Fab@Home demonstrates their 3D printing system at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. This open source personal manufacturing machine can print with many different materials from plastic to cookie dough. When used in a classroom, Fab@Home furthers STEM education by making students comfortable with the software, hardware, fabrication, and materials.
Continue ReadingEd Haas shows his Calliope #5, a handmade pyrophone, at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. Controlled by a midi keyboard, this wind instrument is similar to an organ, but has the ability to shoot fire if propane gas is used in addition to air when sounding the pipes.
Continue Reading
