Day: July 16, 2010

Clothbot’s distillation of OSHW

I really like Andrew Plumb‘s distillation of the Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Draft Definition version 0.3.  I’d hate to see it get lost in Twitter history, so here it is:

  1. Documentation: Establish & facilitate the right to repair.
  2. Necessary Software: Operates using Free Open Source Software.
  3. Derived Works: The right to fork the project.
  4. Free Redistribution: Pay for parts, not permissions. No restrictions on the sale of parts.
  5. Attribution: Give credit where it’s due.
  6. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups: Respect is earned.
  7. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor: Make recommendations, not restrictions.
  8. Distribution of License: Share Alike.
  9. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product: The right to re-use.
  10. License Must Not Restrict Other Hardware Or Software: Play well with others.
  11. License Must Be Technology Neutral: The right to modify.

Edit:  See more amazing distillations, machinations, imaginations, and mastications at the Clothbot wiki!

I <3 UV LED

Making a sonic screwdriver is all well and good.  I own a commercially produced version of the 10th Doctor’s blue LED screwdriver.  But, as a screwdriver it’s just crap.  As a flashlight, it is underwhelming.  Also, it’s not red, so it will kill your night vision.  There’s just no really good use or call for it.  That said…  I think it is fantastic.  I just am realistic that while I enjoy this thing, it serves no particular purpose.

But, what if I could have a small sonic screwdriver like device that had a purpose?  Well, then I suppose I would end up using it.  Thus, I came to think about how to make a potentially useless prop/replica useful.  I could add a screwdriver attachment to it – which would be damn hilarious.  I could make the light red instead of blue – so it could be used at night and not affect night vision.  I could make it super bright – so that it IS good as a flashlight.  I could make it so that it has a Tic-Tac-shakey rechargeable flashlight.  If it were a shakey rechargeable flashlight, it would be very useful in emergencies – since it would never be without power.

After consideration, I think the best use of a sonic screwdriver shaped device would be a flashlight that incorporated a shake recharger and some combination of a UV LED and either a a red (for night vision) or white LED (for a bright light).  And, space allowing, maybe even a hex screwdriver bit.  I could see how such a device, which would never need new batteries, could come in useful in a lot of situations.  It could be both frivolous and functional!  My favorite combination!

I don’t really know how to read circuit diagrams, but I think I could assemble the simple circuit from that instructible.  It shouldn’t be too much harder to add a three-position switch for the second LED.  Although, if I had to choose just one LED it would definitely be the UV kind.

MakerBot Hi Rez Printing Secrets revealed!

Warning: All responses from Dave are real, in the correct order, and unchanged.  I may have embellished my questions and responses.

  • MakerBlock: Dave!  How do you spell your last name?
    • Dave: dduranT.. T!!!! :P
  • MakerBlock: How exotic!  I’m having trouble pronouncing the last bit, so I hope you don’t mind me just calling you “Dave.”  Well, how did you do it?  Oh, and what’s your favorite vodka?
    • Dave: Patience, practice, Grey Goose.
  • MakerBlock: In two words or less, did you print slowly or fast?
    • Dave: Really, REALLY fastly.
  • MakerBlock: Um, I guess that counts.   I mean, you did only use two words – but you used one of them twice.  And I don’t think “fastly” is a real word.  Did you run the extruder slow or fast?  Please be sure and end your response with a preposition.
    • Dave: Slow but not as slow as I expected I’d have to.
  • MakerBlock: Did you use a custom nozzle or the standard MakerBot nozzle?
    • Dave: I do have a 0.35mm hot end from makergear.com (props to makergear – much awesome to be found there) but haven’t installed it yet. I’m still using the 0.5mm nozzle from MBI.
  • MakerBlock: Could you describe your setup for us?  Please be sure and include at least one plug for your all-time favorite MakerBot / RepRap blog written by me.
  • MakerBlock: Dave, it’s been great having you on the show.  Thank you for coming to speak to us and we’d love to have you back any time.

New MakerBot high resolution record!

MakerBot high resolution printing
MakerBot high resolution printing

Update:  Since this post others have achieved sub-0.1mm layer prints with their MakerBots as low as 0.075mm/layer

Ddurand123 has probably just taken the world record for highest resolution.  The current record holder is Rick Pollack at 0.15mm per layer.  Ddurant123 was able to print a 10mm test cube at 0.1mm per layer.

Dave!  How did you do it?

Did you print slowly or fast?

Did you run the extruder slow or fast?

Did you use a custom nozzle or the standard MakerBot nozzle?

Edit:  Dave, sonny abuut misspenning your nmae.  My bed.

Test