Category Archives: CNC/3D-printing

Cool 3D printed alternative energy builds

Posted on April 9, 2015 by robertwilkie

I really like the stirling engine build.  The projects are nice but…not so sure how long they would last (plastic) and being outdoors.  But they would be good learning projects. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150406-harvest-your-own-energy-using-3d-printed-wind-turbines-and-solar-stirling-engines.html http://www.reprap-windturbine.com/index.php?id=18&L=1 Note you have to “buy” the plans to … Continue reading →

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A clean looking CD-ROM to CNC build

Posted on April 6, 2015 by robertwilkie

This is one of the cleaner looking CD-ROM builds to CNC that I have seen.  I like the Z-Axis where the author did not use the original CDROM frame, but built his own which reduces the footprint, and clutter of … Continue reading →

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Print out your own Nerf gun

Posted on April 1, 2015 by robertwilkie

Well with some PVC pipe too.  Interesting build.  Looks pretty cool.  Oh you need o-rings too. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150401-creating-3d-printed-soft-dart-weapons-with-mostly-harmless-arms.html

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Print out your own wireless door lock

Posted on March 31, 2015 by robertwilkie

This is a nice build where the author uses an arduino like board with NFC built in to control a servo that locks/unlocks the door.  The downside, the NFC board is $40.  Bluetooth maybe a better…well cheaper…solution.  The other thing … Continue reading →

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Print out your own air-boat

Posted on March 31, 2015 by robertwilkie

At first I thought this was a kit, but no its the plans to print out a pretty nifty air boat. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150329-learn-about-aerodynamics-and-have-fun-in-the-water-with-3d-printed-rc-airboat.html

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Threadless ballscrew

Posted on March 24, 2015 by robertwilkie

I had never heard of this before, the threadless ballscrew that basically uses bearings at an offset to move up and down a rod.  It looks like a good solution for things with a known weight/load on them.  But I … Continue reading →

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print your on RC boat

Posted on March 23, 2015 by robertwilkie

After reading the article below, I checked out the blog, which is in japanese but you can get the gist of the ideas.  I like the builds for motors for the boats.  pretty simple idea and all printable. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150321-3d-printed-boats-become-a-hit-for-both-adults-and-kids-in-japan.html http://trhk.exblog.jp/

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The Pi Tank

Posted on March 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

Pretty cool looking tank that has a Raspberry Pi for the brain and an XBox Kinect for sensors. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150307-create-your-own-3d-printed-robot-with-the-pi-tank-open-source-robot.html

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Another simple (and cheap) CNC with CD-ROM drives

Posted on March 17, 2015 by robertwilkie

Good write-up on using CD-ROM drives, old mechanical mice, and other scrape computer parts to make a simple CNC.  I like how he uses the sensors from a ball mouse for getting feedback on the motor movements (since not all … Continue reading →

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Using an RPi to control a CNC over WiFi

Posted on March 16, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice write up on using an RPi to control a CNC with something called GRBLWeb, which is a remote for CNC control of a system.  Reality you are using an Raspberry Pi and an arduino in this project. http://www.instructables.com/id/Control-your-CNC-over-Wi-Fi/?ALLSTEPS

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