Solving a Rubick’s Cube with LEGO and popsicle sticks

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We've seen automated Rubick's Cube solvers before, but never one that has garnered as many awards as [James]' popsicle stick and LEGO Rubick's Cube solver.\ To keep the project complexity down, [James] opted not to use a webcam to detect the color pattern on each face of the cube. Instead, he wrote a little Python app to manually enter the pattern on each face before letting his algorithm loose … [Read more...]

Adventures in mold making and making your own enclosures

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The folks at SC-3000 survivors have been working on a cartridge capable of storing dozens of games for the ancient Sega SC-3000 computer. The PCB works beautifully, but making a case for their cartridge left them with few options. They could use a 3D printer or simply collect a whole bunch of used cartridge cases, but making their own mold for a cartridge case was the best solution. To create … [Read more...]

A thermal imaging camera for your phone

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When last we heard of a cheap thermal imaging camera accessory for any smart phone, we were blown away at how easily a very expensive electronic device could be replicated with an Arduino and enough know how. Now, that thermal imaging camera is a kickstarter project and provides a cheap way to put a thermal imaging camera in the tool chest of makers the world over. It's called the IR-Blue, and … [Read more...]