This, what in fact looks like wooden kit, is actually a wooden kit and its kit for making things. You’ll get box of bricks and you can build your own kit. …

… interesting thing is, that it’s not a complete product but it is actually kit, you’ll get box of pieces and you have to assemble it by yourself. …

No word about 3D printer, no word about open source, just lame repeating We are so much doooomed here in Czech Republic …

Here is how it should look , thank you Wired!

Detail of insides of print bed.

Detail of sandwich.
Detail of sandwich.

Some informations
Temperature of surface: 70°C
Wattage: 80W
Volatage: 42V – 3.8Amps

Skeinforge
We are using modified Raftless plugin from Zaggo. First layer (whole, not only outline as in original) is printend at half speed but with same extruder RPM so its fattier and the contact with bed is much better, which is important to transfer heat into the object. And this is important to avoid warping.

We’ve had a problem with removing objects from bed that was caused by too much heat on connection so we’ve had to lower the temperature of the first layer downto 215°C instead of 235°C. Bond was just too tight so we had to use hammer and knife to remove objects.

Raftless, warpless
You can do pretty impressive things, you can print pretty fast at 30mm/s with no warping, you don’t have to waste fillament and time on printing rafts.

Plans
MK3 will be even better, I have to recount the resistance of wire to be able to power it from computer power supply, but the are not many things to improve. Next thing will be bowden extruder and heated print chamber.

RepMan things
Since we have RepMan there are some specific problems. Acrylic expands with heat, you have to modifi some more parts. At first you have to make the big piece on which print bed sits from plywood or you will have pretty serious warping and you can’t accurately set extruder Z-axis lift.

And we’ve done even heat shield for extruder. From aluminium foil.

BTW
You can watch our printer online and live here on USTREAM
Free TV Show from Ustream

I’ve tried to print when the bed was about 70°C, its quite enough. But higher temperature could be better, I’ll test it later.

Here you can se the video from my first printing of “x-carriage-lower_1off” Mendel part.

(Originally posted on 5th of September 2008) It’s still not even a week since I bought a new iPhone 3G and during this time my brother and I did a lot of cool stuff. The iPhone with its accelerometer and multitouch display is ideal for making gadgets. When I got it home, we started thinking about some cool demos which we could make. Incidentally we found an old R/C car model Have you ever seen anything like this? I hadn’t Did you ever think that an iPhone could do this? Enjoy!

Update (31st of July 2009)

iPhone Hacks

Hack was very popular, biggest success is one chapter in iPhone Hacks book (O’reilly). It’s great experience and I want to say thanks to Damien Stolarz and Brian Jepson.

Many people asked me about source code, here it is. Documentation and howto are in iPhone Hacks book.

OS 3.0 for iPhone brings some new opportunities, including some bluetooth stuff. But unfortunatelly not SPP, so WIFI is still only chance to send something out from iPhone :-/

Video

iPhone controlled R/C car from Josef Průša on Vimeo. Same video on YouTube.com . Controlling is very easy with the iPhone 3G. It has five buttons, four of them you can use for traditional „driving“ and when you press the last one, it unlocks the accelerometer control in the same way as in many driving games available on AppStore. Realization of this project did not take a long time, only one afternoon. Technically it is realized in a hell-bent way, but obviously it’s functional. Schematically: iPhone (OSCemote) → WiFi → PC → Max/Msp → Serial port → Arduino → Original controller. If you have some other cool ideas, leave it in comments. We can surely realize it .

OSCemote

OSCemote is application which sends data from iPhone to PC. It does it thru WIFI using OpenSoundControl protocol. You can buy it in AppStore ore try free lite version (unfortunately without accelerometer support ) By the way, some big and complex audio softwares are compatible with OSC standard. For example, Traktor 3 by Native Instruments can sync tempo over OSC. You can download test patch here. For functionality you have to download Max 5 runtime.

OSCemote

Max/Msp

On PC connected to network is running Max patch, which catches data from iPhone, converts it into simpler form and send it thru serial port to Arduino.

Max/Msp is generally used for audiovisual instalations, but also can do crazy things like this project .

Max/MSP 5 patch

Arduino

Arduino is simple development kit with
microprocessor. Arduino process data from Max and next simulate switching on
real R/C controller using transistors.

Arduino controlling original remote

PS

If you like our idea, please Dig it!! or link it from your blog

Traktor PRO

It might look useless to use Traktor on two or more PCs, eh MACs , but only at first look. In certain conditions it’s very helpful or even necessary. For example, me and my brother. We often have common gigs, and both of us has his own MacBook. It was pretty annoying to sync our music every time you modified even one little tag or beatgrid. I hated it We kept most of the time actual collection only on one MacBook, totally impractical if you want to prepare your playlist for next gig …

Another example. You can have powerfull desktop, where you can prepare everything. On a big screen, lots of power (try to analyze 50GB of music ), with mouse, etc. and when you have gig, grab you little 13′ MacBook and everything is synced here!! Playlists, Cuepoints even Midi mappings!!

It can be usefull even for people with one laptop. Imagine, you are going to gig abroad and flight company lost your bag with laptop. What are you going to do now? Borrow laptop from someone, setup syncing, wait few hours on internet to sync and you are ready to Rock’n'roll!! Best part

What is synced?

• playlists
• collection
• midi mapping
• settings
• music

SugarSync

SugarSync

Some time ago I started looking for a solution. At the end it’s super easy and lame proof Its mostly done by SugarSync service. You know, something like Dropbox. You can choose folder, which will be synced with other computers and backed up on their server. SugarSync has even 2GB free account (good for testing this!!) and if you use this link to registering you will get 500MB free bonus to your free account or free 10GB bonus if you subscribe to payed plan. Free account has only one limitation, it can sync only two computers. 30GB plan costs only $4.99 and with this link link you will get 40GB for the same price!

Synchronization of collection and settings is as simple as syncing normal folders, but you should do some modifications before syncing. Folder with your music have to be on both computers on the same place, because Traktor collection stores absolute path to tracks … I prefer to move folders on the root of your disk. Same to folder where Traktor settings and collection are stored, but its not necessary.

BTW: If you have lots of music as we have (50GB) you will probably don’t want to upload it all. It’ll take ages to upload. You can do it another way, do everything as it written here, but create new subfolder in your music folder. Then sync these music folders on both computers and only new subfolder setup to sync by SugarSync. I did it this this way and it works great

Now it’s only about to setting up the SugarSync synchronization.

Limitations

You should sync Traktors only on same platform, during little differencies inf file structure. It means only between MACs of only between PCs.

Traktor is not optimized to this, so try to avoid having opened Traktor on many computers in the same time. Only collection from lastly quitted Traktor will be synced. So when you doing some iportant changes or settings close other Traktors before it

important note

You can use same method on pretty much every music soft. Maybee with little nuances. For example, I’m syncing loops for MLR (Monome stuff ), MaxMsp patche for our DIY WIFI controller (http://www.flickr.com/photos/prusajr/3207283233/ don’t spread it, it’s not finished yet  ) etc.

How to set up Traktor on first computer

0) Remmember, you shouldn’t do it if you havent a clue what’s going on. I can’t take responsibility of any damage what you can do to your collection … Final advice, backup everything before you go thru this howto, just for sure

1) Move yor music folder and Traktor root folder (you can find out where it is placed now in Traktor settings -> Data location) on the root of disc.

Music and Collection folder on root

2) Update folders locations in Traktor settings on Data Location tab.

Traktor Pro folders settings

3) You have to relocate tracks in collection. Run Consistency Check, by right click on Track Collection. You should se lots of missing tracks, so click Relocate and find your new music folder. Then save your collection, or Quit Traktor. Here is Video Screencast of these steps.

Check Consistency

Consistency Check Report - Relocate

4) Traktor is now ready to sync

How to setup SugarSync folder synchronization

1) Get SugarSync HERE. Install it on every computer where you want to synchronize collection.

2) On first computer, with prepared Traktor add Music and Traktor root folders into SugarSync. HOWTO video Screencast!

3) On every other computer add these folders on the same place as it’s on first computer by SugarSync. HOWTO video Screencast!

4) You should wait until SugarSync upload and sync everything.

How to set up Traktor on onther computers

1) You should have same Music and Traktor root folders on every computer now. Check it.

2) Simply open traktor and set same folders as on first computer on Data Location tab

Traktor Pro folders settings

3) Ready to go ..

4) Is this helpful to you? You can make a small donation

5) Leave a comment about your setup, we love technical stuff

iPhone2midi

Few moths ago my brother and I’ve made iPhone controlled R/C car. It starts my thinking about real usage. First attempt was this video on youtube. I’m very bussy these days but I’ve found some time to make something more complex.

How to in HD quality

How to set up iPhone2Midi on Vimeo

About

It’s basiclly PC part for OSCemote. OSCemote is iPhone application available on Appstore. Costs few $.

It’s Max/Msp patch, so you have to intstall last Max/Msp runtime.

Philosophy

Philosophy is to have everything under your control.

Instructions

First row is managing multitouch pad. Each button represents one pair of MIDI CCs. If is button toggled, program starts to send midi. Every button even has his own midi note, so you can map it better. For example: if you toggle button 1, it’s turn on effects and MIDI CCs changes effects parametrs.

Second row is for accelerometer. Same as multitouch. Every button represents three MIDI CCs and one MIDI note.

Third and fourth row is only buttons. Every button represents one MIDI note.

You can set type of each button. Hold – you have to hold button, if you release it, it sends Note of and switch off the MIDI CCs. Toggle – first press activate the button and second press deactivate it.

You can set ammount of multitouch pad and accelerometer by setting red
sliders on sides.

I recommend to watch video on top!!

Reading and writing presets

You can save your settings of button types, MIDI CCs and notes by pressing
Write button in settings section.

Download

Download on
Google Code.

Installation

Only unzip and run „iPhoneMidi.maxpat“

Tips

If you have some ideas to improve it, write it down to comments or send it to my email iam@josef-prusa.eu.

Donations

If you like this software, please donate.

Donate USD:

Donate EUR:

Charging iPhone

It’s a long time ago since I’ve bought MSI Wind netbook. I’m not using it very much, because I’ve bought new MacBook, but it doesn’t mater. have  two batteries for Wind, one small original 3-cell and one extra large, extra cheap 9-cell from eBay. The smaller one isn’t used too much, because it can power netbook only for 2 hours (bigger one 6 and more ) . I’m very curious and I have Monome 128 and I hate it’s big ugly 12V power adapter, battery can be good choice, so I decided to open it. Spoiler: Battery remains usable even in netbook!! Video and howto after break!! If you like this idea, send link to this article to your favorite notebook manufacturer, maybe we can change actual state!!

BTW: If you like this hack, look at our iPhone controlled RC car

Parts

- USB female connector TYPE A (Sparkfun $1.25)

- Volatage regulator 7805 (Sparkfun $1.25) or fancier and cooler 78SR Step-Down (Digikey $14.01) (thanks to Max via comments)

- wires, soldering station, hot glue etc.

About & Howto

Opening of the battery case id pretty tough, I had to use even a knife There is a lot of ICs in battery, more than I thought, but finding source of 12V power was pretty easy. Battery has even a lot of free space, good for us

Because of lots of space, I decided to add USB charging capability (for iPhone etc.) At first, I had to decide where is the right place for connectors and cut the holes for them. Three pin connector is 12V supply (scheme is +-+, so you can’t plug it wrong way ).

I found source of 12V and solder cabels on it. 5V for usb is regulated by 7805 from 12V.

7805 regulator was pretty hot, iPhone wants 500mA We added small passive cooler, but it wasn’t as efficient as we thought. After pluging iPhone, temperature rised up to 120′C We had to do better cooling = bigger passive. Second try cools it on 70′C. Good job!

Battery had holes in case, but they was covered by stickers. We decided to cut the sticker off for better cooling.

One more thing, close the case and it’s DONE!!! Looks like new

Full charge of iPhone 3G tooks 2hours and 22minutes. I did graph of charging so you can compare it with charging from PC Wind baterry iPhone Charge Graph After full charge of iPhone still remains 50% of juice in Winds battery!! So you can charge twice But I think it can be even better, if you do a more efficient PCB, 7805 wich we used has lots of temperature losts

Battery can power up Monome 128, which was original idea of hack

More photos on FLICKR.

Nabijení iPhona

Před nějakou dobou jsem si koupil MSI Wind, co naplat, že od doby co mám MacBooka leží doma v koutě. Nicméně, pro Winda mám dvě baterie, jednu originální (3 článková) a jednu extra cheap z eBay (9 článková), tu menší moc nepoužívám, protože na ní netbůček jede necelé dvě hodiny. No a jakožto velice zvídavý člověk jsem se zajímal co se tak v té baterce nachází. Navíc mám doma Monome 128, které má ohromě hnusný a neskladný adaptér na 12V a tak už jsem nějakou dobu přemýšlel o nějaké alternativě. Baterka je ideální volba. Podotýkám, že zůstala plně funkční i pro použití v netbooku! Bez jakéhokoliv samovolného vybijení atp.

Otevírání krytu baterie je dost obtížné, musel jsem dokocne použít nůž. Baterká má v sobě víc elektroniky než jsem si myslel, ale najít výstup na 12V bylo celkem snadné. Uvnitř baterie je navíc hoodně volného místa.

A lot of free space

A proto jsem se taky rozhodl pridat i USB nabiječku, kterou jsme původně vůbec neměl v plánu Ale půjdeme postupně, nejdřív jsem musel rozmyslet kam se co nejvíc hodí a vyřezat díry jak pro USB tak pro třípinový konektor pro 12V (rozložení +-+, takže není možné něco zapojit s obrácenou polaritou ).

Úprava krytu baterie

Porty jsou na místě

Dál bylo potřeba sehnat oněch 12V, ty jednak napojit na 12V výstup a jednak srazit na 5V pro USB. Najit 12V byla otýzka na pár chvil, pak už stačilo jen napájet drátky. Převod na 5V zajistil obyčejný regulátor napětí 7805.

"Napíchnutých" 12V (černa - zem, bíla - 12V)

7805 regulator

Bylo nám jasné, že se regulátor bude hodně hřát (iPhone si při nabíjení bere 500mA), proto jsme hned ze začátku přidělali malý pasivní chladič. Jaké b’pak bylo naše překvapení, když za pár minut měl pasiv teplotu 120′C (BTW vše bylo slepené tavnou pistolí, při téhle teplotě se všechno rozteklo ) Udělali jsme proto mnohme větší pasiv přímo na míru baterii.

Původní passive se moc neosvědčil

Vylepšený uchladil 7805ku na 70'C

Baterie měla v těle otvory, které ale byly přelepené samolepkou, těch jsme využili pro mírné větrání, aby se baterie masivně nepřehřívala.

Díra pro cirkulaci vzduchu

Pak už stačilo baterku jen zavřít. Musím říct, že USB port vypadá, jako by na baterii byl od nepaměti

Batterie vypadá jako nová

Baterie iPhone nabije za 2hodiny a 22minut, předpokládám, stejný čas jako se nabíjí z notebooku který poskytne taky maximálně 500mA.  Příkládám graf nabíjení Wind baterry iPhone Charge Graph Po plném nabití iPhone 3G v baterii zustane přesně 50% takže poskytne energii na 2 plná nabití. Po zlepšení obvodu by to bylo určitě lepší, 7805 generuje obrovské množství tepla :-/

Nabíjení iPhona

Baterie taky dokáže napájet Monome, tím páden na akce s sebou nemusím nosit další zbytečný adaptér

Napájení monome 128

Víc fotek na FLICKRu.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.