It's a frickin' LASER beam... FIRE THE LASER!

Just cut the floor plate for my delta robot using the laser cutter at the Dallas Makerspace.

Business Card Cases

Here are some business card cases printed by request.

The hinge nubs are made by melting/bonding raw 3mm filament into the case with a soldering iron, then trimming excess with a X-Acto blade.  This makes a solid hinge and appears to be more durable than printing the nubs.

The model can be found on Thingiverse.

More Fun with 3D Printing

Just finished designing and 3D printing a button insertion tool for a friends photo booth business.  Buttons are swapped out based on the customers request... Sepia/Color/Black & White.  This tool allows one to pull and place the nut on the button from inside the cabinet without someone having to hold it from the other side of the bulkhead.

More Nema 17 Stepper Motor Mounts

Marshmallow Soldiers

We had a great time this past Saturday at the Summer Science: Air Rockets and Marshmallow Shooters at the North Richland Hills Library made possible by the Tarrant Makers (AKA FortWorth Makerspace)  

Father's Day 2013

I was just given the most awesome Father's Day gift. My wife and son put together a custom zombie survival kit. We'll be well prepared (with candy) for the coming apocalypse.

This Japanese Multiplication Method Will Divide Your Brain By Zero [Video]

This Japanese Multiplication Method Will Divide Your Brain By Zero [Video]: "

When I first saw this Japanese multiplication method, I just couldn't believe it. Then I tried it and it works perfectly, but still can't understand how it works—or how anyone found this method. More »

Codebox: Lose your head with OpenCV

Codebox: Lose your head with OpenCV: "

OpenCV is a 'library of programming functions for real time computer vision.' An open source project supported by Willow Garage, the library contains over 500 algorithms for image manipulation, object detection, feature extraction, and a variety of other tools you can use to write programs that can 'see.'

The OPENCV Processing and Java Library, a project maintained by Stéphane Cousot and Douglas Edric Stanley at the École Supérieure d'Art d'Aix-en-Provence, provides a wrapper that allows you to use a subset of OpenCV in Processing. In honor of Halloween, this Codebox will show you how use OpenCV to remove people's heads in real-time from a video feed. For example:

Future posts will cover less gruesome applications for this awesome library.

Installing OpenCV Processing and Java Library

The fist step in using the library is to download and install it from http://ubaa.net/shared/processing/opencv/. The site's documentation is great — just follow the steps listed on the "Installation Instructions" on the main page. Once you've followed the steps, fire up Processing, and then try out the code in the detect() example, which puts a red rectangle around any faces (frontal view) detected in the webcam. You should see something like this:

Create Enormous Bubbles with a Super-Size DIY Bubble Wand [DIY]

Create Enormous Bubbles with a Super-Size DIY Bubble Wand [DIY]: "

Two years ago we shared a DIY bubble wand guide, this amazing video—featuring a super-size version of that DIY bubble wand—prompted us to dig the old post out of the archives. More »

Easily Add Images to Your Google Contacts with Picasa People Photos [Digital Pictures]

Easily Add Images to Your Google Contacts with Picasa People Photos [Digital Pictures]: "

A new feature in Google's Picasa image management application, which is incredibly good at identifying faces, allows you to set Google Contacts photos for every contact you have a picture of in a couple clicks.

This Is How Lockheed Martin Paints F-35 Fighters (Spoiler: With Lasers) [Airplanes]

This Is How Lockheed Martin Paints F-35 Fighters (Spoiler: With Lasers) [Airplanes]: "

This is the most advanced painting facility in the world. It was created by Lockheed Martin for one single purpose: To make the F-35 Lighting II almost invisible to radar. As you can imagine, they don't use spray cans. More »

Encrypted Google search coming to a browser near you - Ars Technica

Encrypted Google search coming to a browser near you - Ars Technica: "

Encrypted Google search coming to a browser near you Ars Technica Google has begun rolling out an encrypted version of its search engine in an effort to protect Internet users from having their searches sniffed by others on their network. The new version of Google ... Google Launches Encrypted SearchWired News Google Launches Encrypted SearchInformationWeek Google Offers Encrypted Web Search OptionPC World Register -CNET -TechCrunch (blog) all 24 news articles »

"

Lego Technic bridge launcher

Lego Technic bridge launcher: "

This neat model by Peer Kreuger wins points for its excellent gearboxes -- for instance, the bridge has no servos on it, it extends and contracts via a servo on the vehicle itself.

The Stilzkin EXT3 Bridge Launcher is used to deploy bridges to cross rivers, small chasms or similar obstructions. Placing the bridge takes less than a minute. Once the span has been put in place, the launcher detaches itself from the bridge, and moves aside to allow traffic to pass. Once all of the vehicles have moved over, it crosses the bridge itself and reattaches to the bridge on the other side. It then retracts the span ready to move off again.

[via Brothers Brick]

U.S. Air Force gets 3,000 new 'cyberspace officers'

U.S. Air Force gets 3,000 new 'cyberspace officers': "

The U.S. Air Force already made a sizable push in November of last year by establishing a new cyberspace operations division with no less than 27,000 officers, and it looks like it's now further bolstered their ranks by promoting some 3,000 communications officers to the rank of 'cyberspace officer.' That new title also comes complete with the impressive-looking badge pictured above, not to mention a full 115 days of additional training that promises to 'raise the bar on technical competency.' Hax0rs, beware.

U.S. Air Force gets 3,000 new 'cyberspace officers' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink @GreatDismal (Twitter)  |  Air Force Times  | Email this | Comments"

Stop-Motion Lego Star Wars Trilogy In Two Minutes [Lego]

Stop-Motion Lego Star Wars Trilogy In Two Minutes [Lego]: "

Okay, okay, so it's Star Wars Day. I can't think of a better way to celebrate than watching a two-minute version of the original trilogy told entirely with stop-motion Lego. Other than watching it twice. More »

DIY 40W laser cutter

DIY 40W laser cutter: "

Bdring of buildlog.net built this 40W laser engraver cutter from scratch. The goal is to make a laser cutter for under $1000. Excellent work!

The recent Epilog Laser Challenge at Instructables.com got me thinking about building a low cost CNC laser. The engraver they had as the prize had a list price of about $8,000. The income tax on that would be quite a lot. I thought a larger more powerful machine could easily be built for less than the amount you would have to pay for the tax. The Epilog Zing 16 is 30W with an area of 16' x 20'. Try to beat that for less than $1,000. I understand that a huge part of what you get from Epilog is software, safety, support and a guarantee, so it is not a really fair challenge.

[via Hacked Gadgets]

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Developing Android Apps with Java: Building a Twitter | creativeLIVE.com

Developing Android Apps with Java: Building a Twitter | creativeLIVE.com

eBuddy IM

eBuddy IM: "

Get the best instant messaging experience with eBuddy! Features: Fast and reliable messenger, Chat with multiple MSN, Facebook, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, GTalk & MySpace accounts, All IM friends in one buddy list, Run in background & new message alerts, Messages sent as data, not SMS/Text.

Price: Free

AndroidTapp.com Android App Review:

Pros & Cons:

Pros

• Multiple instant messenger chat client


• Includes Facebook chat


• Some battery saving considerations when enabled however delays messages

Cons

• eBuddy account required to connect to other messenger clients (understandable part of their business model)

Features:

eBuddy IM Android App integrates many messenger and chat clients plus allows you to navigate through each with ease. Features multiple messenger clients, start chats, view friends quick profile, see friends status, change eBuddy status, emoticons and even send a buzz. For those whom griped about Facebook apps for Android does not include chat, here is an app for it!

Initially you need to sign up for an eBuddy ID (typical information required is username, password and email). Choose whatever messenger client you commonly use as it gives access to them simultaneously. For instance, Yahoo IM will show all your friends who you have in your contact list and who may currently be online. Allowing you to chat and message with them from the app, the upper tab has all the messenger clients listed. Once signed in, you receive notifications in the window shade, updates and messages all from one app.

Usefulness & Ease of Use:

This is highly recommended for those who use multiple messenger clients. After logging in you have the freedom to constantly switch between different messenger services with ease.

Frequently Used:

User dependent on instant messenger chat needs

Interface:

The user interface is well organized and makes mobile chats easy.

AndroidTapp.com Rating

(3.9 out of 5)

Should you Download eBuddy IM? Yes! Chat on Multiple Platforms with eBuddy IM!

"

Pixels take over in this cute animation

Pixels take over in this cute animation: "

PIXELS by PATRICK JEAN.
Uploaded by onemoreprod. - Watch original web videos.

What happens when pixels are set free from an old TV? PURE CHAOS!

'Pixels' was created by Patrick Jean and follows a swarm of pixels as they take over New York all while set to some pretty groovy music. The pixels create some iconic videogame characters to help in their pixely destruction of the city to the point the entire planet is consumed.

You know, if you really think about it, everything we see in real life is nothing more than trillions upon trillions of pixels. Snap!

Amazing Pixels Video for Old School Geeks [Walyou -- Thanks, GrumpyTurtle!]

"

Animals That Can Live Without Oxygen Discovered, Aliens Basically Guaranteed to Exist Now [Science]

Animals That Can Live Without Oxygen Discovered, Aliens Basically Guaranteed to Exist Now [Science]: "

Scientists have just discovered the first multicellular animals that can survive entirely without oxygen. They live in the L'Atalante Basin in the Mediterranean Ocean, a place with salt brine so thick it doesn't mix with oxygen-containing waters above. More »