Just like the garage computer explosion of the 70’s through the 80’s, which brought us such things as Apple, pong, Bill Gate’s hair, and the proliferation of personal computers, the maker movement is the new garage hardware explosion. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement.
Enthusiasts who want to build the products they want, from shortwave radios to personal computers, and to tweak products they’ve bought to make them even better, have long been a part of the electronics industry. By all measures, garage-style innovation remains alive and well today, as “makers” as they are called continue to turn out contemporary gadgets, including 3D printers, drones, and embedded electronics devices.
Making is about individual Do-It-Yourselfers being able to design and create with tools that were, as of a decade or two ago, only available to large, cash-rich corporations: CAD tools, CNC mills, 3D printers, low-quantity PCB manufacturing, open hardware such as Arduinos and similar inexpensive development boards – all items that have made it easier and relatively cheap to make whatever we imagine. For individuals, maker tools can change how someone views their home or their hobbies. The world is ours to make. Humans are genetically wired to be makers. The maker movement is simply the result of making powerful building and communication tools accessible to the masses. There are plenty of projects from makers that show good engineering: Take this Arduino board with tremendous potential, developed by a young maker, as example.
The maker movement is a catalyst to democratize entrepreneurship as these do-it-yourself electronics are proving to be hot sellers: In the past year, unit sales for 3D printing related products; Arduino units, parts and supplies; Raspberry Pi boards; drones and quadcopters; and robotics goods are all on a growth curve in terms of eBay sales. There are many Kickstarter maker projects going on. The Pebble E-Paper Watch raises $10 million. The LIFX smartphone-controlled LED bulb raises $1.3 million. What do these products have in common? They both secured funding through Kickstarter, a crowd-funding website that is changing the game for entrepreneurs. Both products were created by makers who seek to commercialize their inventions. These “startup makers” iterate on prototypes with high-end tools at professional makerspaces.
For companies to remain competitive, they need to embrace the maker movement or leave themselves open for disruption. Researchers found that 96 percent of business leaders believe new technologies have forever changed the rules of business by democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations. - You’ve got to figure out agile innovation. Maybe history is repeating itself as the types of products being sold reminded us of the computer tinkering that used to be happening in the 1970s to 1990s – similar in terms of demographics, tending to be young people, and low budget. Now the do-it-yourself category is deeply intertwined with the electronics industry. Open hardware is in the center in maker movement – we need open hardware designs! How can you publish your designs and still do business with it? Open source ecosystem markets behave differently and therefore require a very different playbook than traditional tech company: the differentiation is not in the technology you build; it is in the process and expertise that you slowly amass over an extended period of time.
By democratizing the product development process, helping these developments get to market, and transforming the way we educate the next generation of innovators, we will usher in the next industrial revolution. The world is ours to make. Earlier the PC created a new generation of software developers who could innovate in the digital world without the limitations of the physical world (virtually no marginal cost, software has become the great equalizer for innovation. Now advances in 3D printing and low-cost microcontrollers as well as the ubiquity of advanced sensors are enabling makers to bridge software with the physical world. Furthermore, the proliferation of wireless connectivity and cloud computing is helping makers contribute to the Internet of Things (IoT). We’re even beginning to see maker designs and devices entering those markets once thought to be off-limits, like medical.
Image source: The world is ours to make: The impact of the maker movement – EDN Magazine
In fact, many parents have engaged in the maker movement with their kids because they know that the education system is not adequately preparing their children for the 21st century. There is a strong movement to spread this DIY idea widely. The Maker Faire, which launched in the Bay Area in California in 2006, underlined the popularity of the movement by drawing a record 215,000 people combined in the Bay Area and New York events in 2014. There’s Maker Media, MakerCon, MakerShed, Make: magazine and 131 Maker Faire events that take place throughout the world. Now the founders of all these Makers want a way to connect what they refer to as the “maker movement” online. So Maker Media created a social network called MakerSpace, a Facebook-like social network that connects participants of Maker Faire in one online community. The new site will allow participants of the event to display their work online. There are many other similar sites that allow yout to present yout work fron Hackaday to your own blog. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement—although makers can be found everywhere in the world.
6,973 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/14/automatic-lens-cover-helps-cameras-cover-space-launches/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Powered by an STM32F051 and a Rust firmware, this clever racing game is like a flat stepper motor.
Jeff McBride’s “Gauss Speedway” Propels Magnetic Cars Along a Clever “Stepper Motor” PCB
https://www.hackster.io/news/jeff-mcbride-s-gauss-speedway-propels-magnetic-cars-along-a-clever-stepper-motor-pcb-bf0398f3df29
Powered by an STM32F051 and a Rust firmware, this clever racing game is like a flat stepper motor.
Tomi Engdahl says:
OpenCat – Open Source Quadruped Robotic Framework
https://hackaday.io/project/183916-opencat-open-source-quadruped-robotic-framework
OpenCat is the open-source Arduino and Raspberry Pi-based quadruped robotic pet framework for Boston Dynamics-styled programmable robots
OpenCat is the open-source Arduino and Raspberry Pi-based quadruped robotic pet framework developed by Petoi, the maker of futuristic programmable robotic pets.
The goal is to foster collaboration in quadruped(four-legged) robotic research, education, and engineering development of agile and affordable quadruped robot pets, bring STEM concepts to the mass and inspire newcomers (including many kids and adults) to join the robotic AI revolution to create more applications.
OpenCat has been deployed on Petoi’s bionic palm-sized, realistic lifelike cute robot cat Nybble and high-performance robot dog Bittle. We now have established a production line and can ship these affordable robotic kits and accessories worldwide.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Antileaks VPN Router
https://hackaday.io/project/188103-antileaks-vpn-router
Software free VPN for the layman.
Keeps all of your devices connected and protected 24/7.
Tomi Engdahl says:
HBSound
DIY Sound Card for A home brew Computer
https://hackaday.io/project/187948-hbsound
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sputtering Magnetron
https://hackaday.io/project/188141-sputtering-magnetron
This is a project where I built a sputtering magnetron to deposit thin conductive films on surfaces.
View Gallery
2.2k
2
25
22
Team (1)
Steve HernandezSteve Hernandez
Join this project’s team
ongoing project
magnetron sputtering vacuum High voltage
Related lists
Featured Projects
Featured Projects on Hackaday.io
This project was created on 11/07/2022 and last updated a day ago.
Description
A sputtering magnetron uses high-voltage electricity in a vacuum to deposit materials on a surface. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputter_deposition. This project came together mostly in a weekend. The Thought Emporium has a great video on a similar device: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyu7etM-0Ko. The hardware of this project consists of an unmodified microwave transformer, full bridge rectifier, and microwave capacitor to provide the high voltage. I use a variac to control the power of the microwave transformer. Beyond that, there is a wood box, the glass jar used as a vacuum chamber and a few other various odds and ends. My first test of the machine was able to successfully coat a microscope slide with copper as shown in the picture. This project will allow me to accomplish more with my various semiconductor research projects.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/15/wearable-sensor-trained-to-count-coughs/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Rapid Prototyping To Measure Turbidity In Rapids
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/15/rapid-prototyping-to-measure-turbidity-in-rapids/
RiverTechJess] is in the process of getting a PhD in environmental engineering and has devoted a chapter to creating a turbidity sensor for river network monitoring. Environmental sensing benefits from being able to measure accurately and frequently, so providing low cost devices helps get more data and excuse the occasional device loss that’s bound to happen when deploying electronics out in the wild. Towards this end, [RiverTechJess] has created a low cost turbidity sensor that rivals the more expensive alternatives in cost and accuracy.
https://github.com/rivertechlabs/turbiditysensor
Tomi Engdahl says:
Digitize Your Slide Deck With This Arduino-Powered Slide Carousel
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/15/digitize-your-slide-deck-with-this-arduino-powered-slide-carousel/
[Scott] made a setup to directly connect a DLSR, in this case a Nikon D70, to a Kodak 760 slide carousel. The attachment is made through a 3D-printed adapter that fits onto the Nikon’s macro lens on one side and slides snugly into the carousel’s lens slot on the other. The adapter also holds an IR transmitter which is aimed at the camera’s receiver, in order to trigger its remote shutter release function.
Slide capture system demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3WkqTZ-UXk
Tomi Engdahl says:
Controlling a Pneumatic Cylinder Easily
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR95umuNSPY
This video demonstrates an easy way to control the motion of a pneumatic cylinder!
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/02/making-a-handheld-nes-by-turning-dip-chips-into-qfn/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/02/in-a-way-3d-scanning-is-over-a-century-old/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/02/a-compressor-of-compressors-breaks-the-noise-barrier/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/02/camera-mounted-stereo-mic-is-fluffy-and-capable/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/01/rib-cage-lamp-kicks-it-up-a-notch-with-party-mode/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/01/dreemwork-lets-you-code-morse-from-inside-your-dream/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Building A Tessellated NeoPixel Clock
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/01/building-a-tessellated-neopixel-clock/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/01/diy-wind-tunnel-aims-to-educate-the-youth/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/01/lamp-flashing-module-is-perfect-for-automotive-use/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/01/dvd-drives-turned-into-microscopes/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/09/30/a-high-powered-vacuum-cleaner-for-tough-jobs/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/187174-luggable-cyberdeck
Tomi Engdahl says:
CoCo 3 RGB to SCART to HDMI cable
https://hackaday.io/project/7366-coco-3-rgb-to-scart-to-hdmi-cable/discussion-180036
This project describes how to build a cable to connect a Tandy CoCo 3′s RGB video output to a commercially produced SCART to HDMI converter.
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY Single Cell Power Bank Using SMT Assembly
https://hackaday.io/project/187612-diy-single-cell-power-bank-using-smt-assembly
A single cell power bank which is used to power up battery operated devices. It can supply a constant power to the load.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/188230-reverse-engineering-the-janome-memory-cards
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/16/is-this-the-smallest-cp-m-machine-ever/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/16/pcb-hotplate-has-integrated-heating-element-traces/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/16/crazy-bike-frame-made-out-of-147-nuts/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/16/better-sheet-metal-parts-with-chemistry/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/20/homebrew-espresso-maker-modding-with-gagguino/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/188251-31-segments-rgb-cistercian-display
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/188265-external-mic-for-phone-timegrapher-app
Tomi Engdahl says:
Effect of moon phase on tombstoning
https://hackaday.io/project/175465-effect-of-moon-phase-on-tombstoning
I’ll assemble a PCB with a couple of very small components every week and track the effect of moon phase on tombstoning.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Brake Light and Turn Signals for Backpacks
https://hackaday.io/project/187037-brake-light-and-turn-signals-for-backpacks
Accelerometer autodetects Braking. The Turn signals are commanded by a 315MHz module. 78 neopixels. Based on Adafruit CPX.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Steno Keyboard
Type at 300 words per minute!
https://hackaday.io/project/10408-steno-keyboard
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/16/interview-stuart-semple-on-pantone-freetone-colour-and-open-source/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/20/tinyllama-is-a-486-in-your-pocket/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Colorful Split Keyboard Uses VGA Connections
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/19/colorful-split-keyboard-uses-vga-connections/
When it comes to building a split keyboard, you have a lot of options when it comes to the cable. Many will use a standard 3.5 mm TRRS cable, and others might use something more esoteric like RJ-45 to run between the halves. This only works if you’re using two controllers; if you only want one controller, you have to pass the matrix from one side to the other, which typically requires more than the four wires offered by the aforementioned choices. While rummaging around, [Joe Scotto] found a VGA cable and thought, why not use that?
This lovely Barbie-themed peripheral is a split version of an earlier board he built called the ScottoFly, which is a monoblock split with a void in the middle. As with that one, this is hand-wired using thicc brass insulated with heat-shrink, uses a solid 3D-printed plate, and a printed case. And like a madman, [Joe] coiled the cable.
https://github.com/joe-scotto/keyboards/tree/main/ScottoSplit
Tomi Engdahl says:
ESP32 LED Eyes Help Keep Toddler In Bed
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/19/esp32-led-eyes-help-keep-toddler-in-bed/
We’ve seen a lot of custom clocks here at Hackaday, many of which have pushed the traditional definition of the timepiece to its absolute limit. But for all their wild designs, most of them do have something in common: they assume you can actually read a clock and understand the concept of time. But what if you’re developing a clock for a toddler who’s only just coming to terms with such heady ideas?
The answer, at least for [Riley Parish] is a set of 3D printed eyes that are illuminated with either yellow or green LEDs depending on whether or not it’s time to get out of bed. More than just the color of the light, the eye design (which is embedded into the rear of the front panel) switches between wide-open and tightly shut depending on the time of day.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5573769
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Barkhausen Effect: Hearing Magnets Being Born
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/19/the-barkhausen-effect-hearing-magnets-being-born/
The Barkhausen effect — named after German Physicist Heinrich Barkhausen — is the term given to the noise output produced by a ferromagnetic material due to the change in size and orientation of its discrete magnetic domains under the influence of an external magnetic field. The domains are small: smaller than the microcrystalline grains that form the magnetic material, but larger than the atomic scale. Barkausen discovered that as a magnetic field was brought close to a ferrous material, the local magnetic field would flip around randomly, as the magnetic domains rearranged themselves into a minimum energy configuration and that this magnetic field noise could be sensed with an appropriately arranged pickup coil and an amplifier. In the short demonstration video below, this Barkhausen noise can be fed into an audio amplifier, producing a very illustrative example of the effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLXVLDysroY
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/18/real-minecraft-furnace-generates-electricity-from-coal/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/19/brainstorming/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/19/simple-mod-lets-quadruped-robot-stand-and-walk/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/18/scramblepad-teardown-reveals-complicated-expensive-innards/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/18/diy-robotic-platform-aims-to-solve-walking-in-vr/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/18/augmented-reality-workbench-helps-you-to-debug-your-boards/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/18/faceless-clock-makes-your-think-twice-about-how-it-works/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/18/tiny-rc-truck-and-trailer-motors-around-tabletop/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/18/pop-your-way-to-a-fresh-roast-coffee/
Tomi Engdahl says:
At A Loss For Words? Try A Teleprompter
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/19/at-a-loss-for-words-try-a-teleprompter/
With everyone doing videos these days, you might want to up your narration game with a teleprompter. [Modern Hobbyist] can help. Since he does videos — like the one about the teleprompter below — we assume he built it out of his own need for the device. Actually, this is his second teleprompter. The first one was larger and not battery-powered, so this new version offers more portability. The camera shoots through the teleprompter screen so you can look right at the camera and still stay on script.
https://www.modhobbyist.com/projects/24