Tools

Experimental reciprocating laser cutter with low-power diode

Experimental reciprocating laser cutter with low-power diode

Interesting concept from Peter over at the RepRap: Builders blog, who has successfully made some cuts in a CD case using an experimental 1W laser cutter with a Z-axis control that allows the laser diode itself to reciprocate up and down, kinda like a saber saw. This action moves the beam’s focus, where it cuts most effectively, up and down through the material at each point along the cutting path. I have wondered about dynamically-variable-focal-length CNC lasers before, and although I’m probably in over my head, here, it seems like there should be some way to do it optically without having to physically move the whole laser head up and down. Everyone’s a critic! Nice work here, Peter. [via Hack a Day]

Toolbox: The tools of summer

Toolbox: The tools of summer

In the Make: Online Toolbox, we focus mainly on tools that fly under the radar of more conventional tool coverage: in-depth tool-making projects, strange, or specialty tools unique to a trade or craft that can be useful elsewhere, tools and techniques you may not know about, but once you do, and incorporate them into your […]

Open music labs introduces the MICrODEC A Microcontroller and a Codec – A Reprogrammable Audio Processor

Open music labs introduces the MICrODEC A Microcontroller and a Codec – A Reprogrammable Audio Processor

Open music labs introduces the MICrODEC – A Microcontroller and a Codec – A Reprogrammable Audio Processor. Clean design, with an AVR performing all the CODEC functions (handwritten in assembly!). Engraved aluminum case is available, the box is a semi-kit, so all the SMT stuff is soldered on for you already – This could easily […]