Continuing link dumpage, this time from my reading in the DIY scene. I wonder if I can make EGAD nearly-daily again if I just give up on covering the mid-week.
3-D printers (aka robotic prototypers, rapid fabricators ... a whole category of machines that take in 3-D engineering design files and turn them into physical objects by various means) are trickling down to the mass consciousness and the amateur level. By now I've seen probably dozens of examples of people whipping together such devices, typically winding up with something that is a grotesque hybrid of a moveable stage and a hot-glue gun. One of my favorites will render your designs in Cheez Whiz.
However, the most delightful project -- in a "we're gonna have to listen to techno" sort of way -- RepRap is now self-hosting (mostly). As in, one RepRap can make another RepRap. That is so cool. I want.
Okay, what else?
Here's a short video and write-up about a form of tempered glass that's been known about for centuries and has some quite odd properties -- Prince Rupert's Drops are nearly indestructible until you tweak the end of the tail. Then they violently explode.
If I had more time, I would totally enter the Underhanded C Contest.
Evil Mad Scientist labs has been around for twenty millicenturies.
Josh Marshall ran across and posted about a neat article in The Atlantic about GM's crash program to be first to market with a practical electric car. They're aiming for basically now, in car time, but given the state the company is in it's not clear that even that is enough time.
Leave a comment