Hackaday links: September 7, 2012

slide

MakerSlide, European edition We're all familiar with the MakerSlide, right? The linear bearing system that has been turned into everything from motorized camera mounts to 3D printers is apparently very hard to source in Europe. A few folks from the ShapeOko forum have teamed up to produce the MakerSlide in the UK. They're running a crowdsourced project on Ulule, and the prices for the rewards … [Read more...]

Drag and drop images for 3D printing

2d-to-3d-via-drag-and-drop

This piece of software called OmNomNom works with OpenSCAD to turn 2D images into 3D models. It's literally a drag-and-drop process that renders almost instantly. Here the example is a QR code, which is perfect for the software since it's a well-defined black and white outline in the source image. But the video after the break shows several other examples that don't rely on this simplicity. For … [Read more...]

Scanning turntable digitizes objects as 3D models

anotated turntable 360

This turntable can automatically digitize objects for use in 3D rendering software like Blender3D. [James Dalby] built it using a high-quality DSLR, and some bits and pieces out of his junk box. The turntable itself is a Lazy Susan turned on its head. The base for the spinning model is normally what sits on the table, but this way it gives him an area to rest the model, and the larger portion acts … [Read more...]

Portal Radio is why Valve needs to build hardware

radio

We’ve seen Portal gun builds, a few cute turret replicas, and even a miniaturized version of GLaDOS, but [John]‘s Portal radio replica is the first physical version of this oft-forgotten Portal item. Interestingly, the entire radio is made from scrap. The spheroid body shell is made from the foam insulation from a commercial freezer, carefully sculpted, Bondoed, and painted over the … [Read more...]

Making model rocket motor igniters

diy-rocket-igniters

[Stephan Jones] has an easy method for making your own model rocket engine igniter. The solid state motors used in this hobby consume one igniter with each electrically triggered launch. Whether you're making your own motors or not, this construction technique should prohibit you from every buying an igniter again. The process involves bending some nichrome wire around a paper clip, adding some … [Read more...]

Mad machinist masterpieces

I think he put that statue in the background just to make you do a double take and freak out.

If a picture is worth 1000 words, by our count, [Ryan Commbes] has said 1.68x10^6 different things about his custom robot, airsoft, and monster truck builds. While we're not ones to pick favorites, we agreed his Alpine TPG-1 (picture at the top) build is a step above the rest. Sadly, the forums with his build log doesn't seem to be loading, but he says the basic process if you wanted to make your … [Read more...]

Sukhoi Su-27 Jet build throws down

superb-jet-build

This no model, but a fully functioning RC jet. The Sukhoi Su-27 was the Soviet Union's counterpart of the F15 and this 1/6.5 scaled version measures eleven feet long and is fully controllable. As if the 80-page build log wasn't enough, the flight video after the break is nothing short of jaw-dropping. The test flights end in smooth landings but with all the time that went into the project that's … [Read more...]