Reader Input
Thoughts, tips, and musings from readers like you.Page 06
Make: Volume 57 – All Hands on Boards
Make: Volume 57 is all about cheap computers and microcontrollers! First, go in depth with maker luminary Limor Fried and the rockstars at Adafruit in our cover story. Then, take a look at the coolest new boards that should be on your radar this year, or make your own with the new Voltera V-One desktop circuit board printer. And, compare specs for more than 80 boards in our ever-growing boards guide to choose the right board for your next project.
More than 15 projects, including:
- Make an Arduino-powered stomp pedal
- Build a Raspberry Pi-powered camera binoculars
- Create a Midori-inspired leather notebook
And more!
ON THE COVER: Adafruit’s Limor Fried and the new Circuit Playground.
Table of Contents
COLUMNS
Welcome: Overboard
Alasdair Allan
So many crowdfunded boards to explore, so little time.Page 08
Made on Earth
Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 10
FEATURES
Clearing the Air
Forrest M. Mims III
The FAA’s drone regulations could hamper your flying endeavors. Here’s how.Page 18
Game Changers
Tyler Winegarner
alt.ctrl.GDC showcases wild and weird video game control schemes that create a whole new kind of immersion.Page 20
Maker ProFile: Ran Ma
DC Denison
The biomedical engineer is developing smart socks to help monitor diabetic health.Page 22
SPECIAL SECTION
Put a Board on It
Rob Nance and Juliann Brown
The current crop of microcontrollers vies for your attention.Page 24
Extraordinary Boards
Philip J. Angileri, Sam Brown, Kelly Egan, and Matt Stultz
These eight new devices push the limits of what you can do with DIY tech.Page 28
Open for Business
Gordon Williams
Running an open source hardware and software company has its rewards. But it also has its challengesPage 32
The Ripe Stuff
Gareth Branwyn
With open source ideals and an engineering genius at the helm, Adafruit is a maker revolution in manufacturing — and so much more. Page 36
An Open Chip
Krste Asanovic
The journey to develop an open source instruction set for maker-made processors. Page 42
Every Child an Inventor
Zach Shelby
The Micro:bit Foundation is spreading its educational mission around the world. Page 45
Review: Voltera V-One
Matt Stultz
Make custom PCBs at home with less mess.Page 46
SKILL BUILDER
Digital Stencil Design
Tim Deagan
Use a laser cutter or CNC machine to transform files into spray-paintable templates.Page 48
One Small Step for Robots
Josh Elijah
Program a quadruped with Arduino to get your bot moving.Page 52
PROJECTS
Camera-Mounted “Pinoculars”
Josh Williams
Snap and view zoomed-in photos through your binoculars, with a Raspberry Pi and Pi Camera.Page 54
Pedal to the Metal
ElectroSmash Team
Build this open source stomp box, and rock out with the best of them.Page 60
Build this open source stomp box, and rock out with the best of them.
Keith Hammond and Sam Brown
This hyperintelligent toy uses furry face recognition to entertain your pet.Page 62
Tricolor Twinkle Lights
John M. Wargo
Brighten your July 4th festivities with jars of sequentially fading strands of LEDs.Page 66
Remaking History: The Birth of Medical Hygiene
William Gurstelle and Peter Strain
Celebrate Ignaz Semmelweis and his maternity ward revelation by whipping up some bars of homemade soap.Page 70
Traveler’s Notebook
Gareth Branwyn
Craft your own cover and paper inserts for a customizable Midori-style journal.Page 72
Air Hockey Robot
Juan Pedro and Jose Julio of JJRobots
Build your own open source, 3D-printed opponent.Page 74
Satisfying Spinners
Caleb Kraft
From duct tape to bronze, handmade bearing-based fidget toys are all the rage.Page 77
Poseable Papercraft
Caleb Kraft
Print, fold, and glue your very own Makey robot mascot.Page 78
Light-Up Copter Launcher
Marc De Vinck
An LED illuminates this simple cardboard and craft stick contraption. Page 80
1+2+3: Portable Rally Sign
Paul Spinrad
Make a tall and tote-worthy double-sided sign from reusable and reused materials. Page 82
TOOLBOX
3D Printer Review: MakerBot Replicator+
Matt Stultz
Continuous quality prints indicate the line has fixed its breakdown woes.Page 84
SHOW & TELL
Show & Tell
Dazzling projects from inventive makers like you.Page 88
