Monthly Archives: March 2013

Windpower with a kite

Posted on March 31, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting build.  The author added in wind power generators to a kite to power LED’s on the kite.  Nice build but I don’t think I would do it myself. http://www.instructables.com/id/Kite-with-Wind-Powered-LEDs/

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Mugplotter, nice take over the eggbot

Posted on March 31, 2013 by robertwilkie

Very nice build.  Wish I had a laser cutter to make this.  I think I would still do eggs, and christmas balls too.. http://www.instructables.com/id/Mug-Plotter/

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I like the russian way of getting soda better

Posted on March 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

The author whom I think is french (and very long winded) built a robot that he can control to get cans of soda out of a vending machine.  I watched this and kept thinking to myself.  Why that’s allot of work for … Continue reading →

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A ping-pong printer

Posted on March 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

Must be getting close to easter, someone adapted the eggbot (again) but this time for ping-pong balls. http://hackaday.com/2013/03/24/cnc-ping-pong-printer-uses-simple-construction/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29

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For and against manufacturing in China

Posted on March 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up from a startup perspective on the good and bad of manufacturing in China.  I like the author’s take where they had the simple parts done in china, and the hard bits/assembly here in the USA. http://blog.makezine.com/2013/03/26/made-in-china-the-case-for-and-against/

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Lira, another mini arduino controller

Posted on March 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

Oh yeah, another arduino.  So what is so special about this one?  Well its developed by Adafruit, and its pretty small.   They are not selling it yet, but its got allot of pinouts for its size.  The board itself can … Continue reading →

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So, how do you make an eggbot

Posted on March 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

OK I got thinking about this, and found a nice little write-up on how to build an eggbot (instead of buying one).  It looks like this one was built mostly with scraps.  I’ll have to look at this one some … Continue reading →

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And Eggbot

Posted on March 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

Cool eggbot.  Its a little overkill on the controller bit (do you really need over $100 in arduino controllers) but I like the simple hardware design.  Beats buying an eggbot for $250 – $350. http://blog.makezine.com/2013/03/28/random-pattern-egg-drawbot/

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Should I use Plex or XBMC

Posted on March 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on Plex vs XBMC for a homebrewed multimedia setup.  My 2 cents, I have used XBMC in the past, it has more power than Plex, but I agree with the author here in that it can be a … Continue reading →

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RobotShop announces 3D printing of parts

Posted on March 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

Have some custom robot parts you want built.  Now you can send them to RobotShop and they will “print” them out for you.  Interesting twist to a 3D print shop. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130328-robotshop-announces-3d-printing-service-for-robotic-parts.html  

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