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.
7,114 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY Monochrome LCD Hack Doesn’t Go As Planned
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/01/diy-monochrome-lcd-hack-doesnt-go-as-planned/
Tomi Engdahl says:
An Armored Vehicle From Foam Core And Big Box Toys
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/19/an-armored-vehicle-from-foam-core-and-big-box-toys/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Using Additives For Better Performing Epoxy
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/17/using-additives-for-better-performing-epoxy/
Epoxy resins are an important material in many fields. Used on their own as an adhesive, used as a coating, or used in concert with fiber materials to make composites, their high strength and light weight makes them useful in many applications. [Tech Ingredients] decided to explore how combining basic epoxy resin with various additives can make it perform better in different roles.
Super Strong Epoxy with Diamonds and More!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KjlyXKeo8c
Tomi Engdahl says:
Hearing Plants Giggle Is Just As Creepy As You Think
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/18/hearing-plants-giggle-is-just-as-creepy-as-you-think/
While best known for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl wrote quite a few similarly oddball stories in his time. One of them, The Sound Machine, is about a device that allowed the user to hear the anguished screams of trees as they were cut down. Sounds kind of weird to us, but [Roni Bandini] liked the idea so much he decided to build his own version.
https://medium.com/@Bandini/la-m%C3%A1quina-del-sonido-de-roald-dahl-85ece09b1cd6
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/14/powering-neon-with-a-joule-thief/
I can hack – Pin
https://hackaday.io/project/170240-i-can-hack-pin
Hacking the “I can solder” pin with a fancy steampunkish neon bulb lamp and a high voltage joule thief
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/11/design-and-construction-with-copper-pipe/
Tomi Engdahl says:
3D Printed Tooling Punches Above Its Weight With Added Hardware
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/09/3d-printed-tooling-punches-above-its-weight-with-added-hardware/
Tomi Engdahl says:
EU Duty Changes, A Whole VAT Of Trouble For Hackers?
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/eu-duty-changes-a-whole-vat-of-trouble-for-hackers/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bolts, Brass, And Machining Chops Make Up This Tiny Combination Safe
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/bolts-brass-and-machining-chops-make-up-this-tiny-combination-safe/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Best Voltage And Current Reference This Side Of A Test Lab
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/the-best-voltage-and-current-reference-this-side-of-a-test-lab/
When you measure a voltage, how do you know that your measurement is correct? Because your multimeter says so, of course! But how can you trust your multimeter to give the right reading? Calibration of instruments is something we often trust blindly without really thinking about, but it’s not always an impossible task only for a high-end test lab. [Petteri Aimonen] had enough need for a calibrated current source to have designed his own, and he’s shared the resulting project for all to see.
http://essentialscrap.com/vref/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Forming Sheet Metal Parts With 3D Printed Dies
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/forming-sheet-metal-parts-with-3d-printed-dies/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dexter Robot Arm Embraces New Manufacturing With First Micro-Factory
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/09/dexter-robot-arm-embraces-new-manufacturing-with-first-micro-factory/
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Quick And Easy Recipe For Synthetic Rubies
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/06/a-quick-and-easy-recipe-for-synthetic-rubies/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inputs Of Interest: My First Aggressively Ergonomic Keyboard
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/03/inputs-of-interest-my-first-aggressively-ergonomic-keyboard/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/02/29/a-tin-can-phone-but-with-magnets/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Screwy Math For Super Fine Adjustments: Differential Screws
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/21/screwy-math-for-super-fine-adjustments-differential-screws/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Stylish Mic Is Metal Printing Done Right
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/21/stylish-mic-is-metal-printing-done-right/
[Eric Strebel] wanted a microphone to record voiceovers, and being a designer, wanted something suitably impressive for the task. Inspired by the classic Unidyne 55, he set about designing his own mic, and used some pretty fancy techniques to get it built.
The mic was built around a ribbon element, providing good dynamic response. The design was created in CAD, and was initially intended to be constructed out of three seperate pieces. However, [Eric] realized that through the use of a binder jetting 3D printer, this wouldn’t be necessary.
METAL Printed Microphone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p9hCZEkD0Y&feature=youtu.be
Tomi Engdahl says:
Using IR LEDs To Hide In Plain Sight
https://hackaday.com/2020/02/28/using-ir-leds-to-hide-in-plain-sight/
Freedom Shield built by engineer [Nick Bild] is an attempt at breaking away from the status quo and giving people a choice on whether they want to be seen or not. The spectrum of radiation visible to humans maxes out around 740nm, allowing the IR waves to remain undetected by normal observers.
The project uses 940nm infrared (IR) LEDs embedded in clothes to overwhelm photo diodes in IR-sensitive cameras used for surveillance.
https://github.com/nickbild/freedom_shield
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Minimal ESP8266 Digital Picture Frame
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/01/a-minimal-esp8266-digital-picture-frame/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Gesture Control The Easy Way
https://hackaday.com/2020/02/22/gesture-control-the-easy-way/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Flexible Permanence Of Copper Tape Circuits
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/15/the-flexible-permanence-of-copper-tape-circuits/
Somewhere between shoving components into a breadboard temporarily and committing them to a piece of protoboard or a PCB lies the copper tape method. This flexible Manhattan-style method of circuitry formed the basis for [Bunnie Huang]’s Chibitronics startup, and has since inspired many to stop etching boards and start fetching hoards of copper tape.
[Hales] hit the ground running when he learned about this method, and has made many a copper tape circuit in the last year or so. He offers several nice tips on his site that speak from experience with this method, and he’ll even show you how to easily work an SMD breakout board into the mix.
Prototyping using copper tape and PCB land pads
https://halestrom.net/darksleep/blog/039_coppertape/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Flicker Detector Lets You Hear What You Can’t See
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/28/flicker-detector-lets-you-hear-what-you-cant-see/
Have you ever looked at modern LED lighting and noticed, perhaps on the very edge of your perception, that they seemed to be flickering? Well, that’s because they probably are. As are the LEDs in your computer monitor, or your phone’s screen. Pulse width modulation (PWM) is used extensively with LEDs to provide brightness control, and if it’s not done well, it can lead to headaches and eyestrain.
Looking to quantify just how much flashing light we’re being exposed to, [Faransky] has created a simple little gadget that essentially converts flashing light into an audio tone the human ear can pick up.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Flickering-Detector/
Tomi Engdahl says:
How Constant Is Your Choice Of Lights?
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/21/how-constant-is-your-choice-of-lights/
The simple light flicker meter
https://hackaday.io/project/170394-the-simple-light-flicker-meter
This device allow to measure frequency and percentage of flicker of the light source.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/04/05/diy-closed-cell-silicone-foam/
http://www.observationsblog.com/sciencetechnologyexperiments/silicone-foam-from-silicone-caulk
Tomi Engdahl says:
Put An Open Source Demon In Your Pocket
https://hackaday.com/2020/04/06/put-an-open-source-demon-in-your-pocket/
Back in 1996, the Tamagotchi was a triumph of hardware miniaturization. Nearly 25 years later, our expectations for commercially designed and manufactured gadgets are naturally quite a bit higher. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be impressed when somebody pulls off a similar feat in the DIY space.
The Xling by [dsl] follows the classic Tamagotchi concept. A little creature, apparently inspired by the demon from Netflix’s Disenchantment, lives in your pocket and needs occasional attention to remain healthy. The user pushes a few buttons to interact with the creature displayed on the display to do…whatever it is you do with a pet demon. Feed it souls and what have you.
Xling
https://hackaday.io/project/165726-xling
A tamagotchi-like toy with an OLED display and Li-Po battery.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Offline Dinosaur-Jumping Becomes A Real Workout
https://hackaday.com/2020/04/06/offline-dinosaur-jumping-becomes-a-real-workout/
I Jump, the Dino Jump! – Arduino Actuated Google Dinosaur Game -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtt03-zsEIM
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to Make Your Own Tiny Electronic Dice with a Vinyl Cutter
https://www.hackster.io/news/how-to-make-your-own-tiny-electronic-dice-with-a-vinyl-cutter-55e3487ae09f
Emiliano Valencia has an excellent tutorial explaining how you can fabricate your own PCBs at home.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Spooky-Tesla-Spirit-Radio/
Tomi Engdahl says:
This See-Through “Printed Circuit Board” Requires No Solder
Brown Dog Gadgets shares a new take on a PCB using conductive tape, clear acrylic, and an ATtiny85
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-see-through-printed-circuit-board-requires-no-solder-1b2c6f3fed67
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kris Slyka Abuses Audio Cassettes, Python, and JavaScript to Record a Music Video to Tape
https://www.hackster.io/news/kris-slyka-abuses-audio-cassettes-python-and-javascript-to-record-a-music-video-to-tape-6418d6639fa5
A Python encoder and JavaScript decoder bring — low-resolution, low-frame rate — video to classic audio cassettes.
https://github.com/NuclearLighthouseStudios/Cassette-Video-Encoder
Tomi Engdahl says:
TipText enables one-handed text entry using a fingertip keyboard
https://blog.arduino.cc/2019/11/11/tiptext-enables-one-handed-text-entry-using-a-fingertip-keyboard/
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Self-Glowing Ring Doesn’t Need a Battery, It is the Battery!
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-self-glowing-ring-doesn-t-need-a-battery-it-is-the-battery-05331651e3d8
Constructed as a copper-aluminum battery, the wearable uses a joule thief to make an LED glow.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://effi.org/koronayksityisyys/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Quickly Convert Bitmaps Into PCB Artwork
A step-by-step guide that turns any color image into a silkscreen masterpiece.
https://www.hackster.io/news/quickly-convert-bitmaps-into-pcb-artwork-8a143787f3d9
https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Master-Bitmaps-in-Eagle/
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Wireless Speaker Made From PCBs
Build a wireless speaker enclosure completely out of the circuit boards that make it work.
https://www.hackster.io/news/a-wireless-speaker-made-from-pcbs-54ea4826acee
Tomi Engdahl says:
This PCB Robot Follows the Light
A light follower that operates with no microcontroller, formed from a printed circuit board.
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-pcb-robot-follows-the-light-f425fe43a71d
Tomi Engdahl says:
Greg’s Harp Is a Robotic Polyphonic MIDI Instrument
This three-stringed MIDI device features a clever fret design and a beautifully unique sound.
https://www.hackster.io/news/greg-s-harp-is-a-robotic-polyphonic-midi-instrument-95e691b687f9
Tomi Engdahl says:
Low-Cost Microcontrollers Turn Simple Seven-Segment LEDs Into a Chainable Display Cluster
https://www.hackster.io/news/low-cost-microcontrollers-turn-simple-seven-segment-leds-into-a-chainable-display-cluster-c7e0a0baa05f
With a PADAUK PFS154-S16 microcontroller behind each seven-segment LED, Tim “cpldcpu”‘s numerical display is pretty smart.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Making an RC Airplane From the Ground Up!
https://www.hackster.io/news/making-an-rc-airplane-from-the-ground-up-4f9f68f50b52
How To Mechatronics shows how to create a remote-controlled, Arduino-powered flyer out of Styrofoam.
Tomi Engdahl says:
From https://www.facebook.com/414718878625776/posts/2766061023491538/
Move over, copper tape – this tool looks like a new favorite! Maker Tape is a conductive tape with conductive adhesive – so it conducts electricity all the way through, as well as along the surface. Plus, it’s super durable and compatible with Brown Dog Gadgets’ LEGO-friendly circuit blocks. Check out this quick demo, and stay tuned for more!
// https://www.browndoggadgets.com/products/maker-tape-1-4th-inch-20m-roll-nylon-conductive-tape
// http://hackster.io/brown-dog-gadgets
// https://www.browndoggadgets.com/collections/new-solar
// Use with Chibitronics Circuit Stickers: https://chibitronics.com/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Pierre Muth Turns a Translucent LCD Panel Into a Tool to Develop True Black and White Photo Prints
https://www.hackster.io/news/pierre-muth-turns-a-translucent-lcd-panel-into-a-tool-to-develop-true-black-and-white-photo-prints-92239396bbb7?7fcb0a2c0f0f41d9f4454ac2d8ed7ad6
Bridging the worlds of analog and digital photography, Muth’s latest project allows digital photos to be chemically developed and printed.
Maker Pierre Muth has published a write-up of a digital photography project with a difference: He’s taken a high-resolution translucent monochrome LCD display and used it to create a “digital darkroom,” literally transferring digital imagery onto photo paper using a traditional development process.
“Since 2008, I am using almost exclusively a digital camera. But I am always missing the black and white darkroom prints,”
https://pierremuth.wordpress.com/2020/04/18/digital-picture-to-analog-darkroom-print/
Tomi Engdahl says:
This DIY Handheld Game Console Doubles as a Windows 10 Tablet
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-diy-handheld-game-console-doubles-as-a-windows-10-tablet-e46bb1c4ff3b
You can build GreatScott!’s fantastic LattePanda-based handheld video game console/Windows 10 tablet hybrid.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This DIY Food Dispenser Automatically Measures Out Your Meal Ingredients
YouTuber Elite Worm built this motorized food dispenser to make preparing meals a breeze
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-diy-food-dispenser-automatically-measures-out-your-meal-ingredients-bbe65d2c2edf?d82f9436247aa0049767b776dceab4ed
Tomi Engdahl says:
RepRapable Recyclebot: Open Source 3D-Printable Extruder
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/MOST/reprapable-recyclebot-open-source-3d-printable-extruder-ff6a86
A recyclebot, AKA a waste plastic extruder, capable of making commercial quality 3D printing filament.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cabinet-Mounted Water Dispenser Keeps You Hydrated
https://www.hackster.io/news/cabinet-mounted-water-dispenser-keeps-you-hydrated-7ea1213b0289
H2-Glow! This water filtration system fills a glass automatically when placed under the tap, while lighting up blue.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This ESP32-Based Remote Works with LEGO Technic Motors — and Steam Controllers
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-esp32-based-remote-works-with-lego-technic-motors-and-steam-controllers-16988dd19f83
Geggo’s LegoRemote bridges the gap between LEGO Technic controllers and more advanced solutions
Tomi Engdahl says:
These DIY Paddle Game Controllers Are Perfect for Playing Emulated Retro Games
https://www.hackster.io/news/these-diy-paddle-game-controllers-are-perfect-for-playing-emulated-retro-games-0561ebe60c00
If you want to play a classic game like Breakout in an Atari 2600 emulator, these USB paddle controllers are ideal.
This project utilizes the STM32F103C8T6-based “Blue Pill” development board. Each of the two paddle controllers, which are connected to a single development board, contains a potentiometer and a micro switch button.
https://www.instructables.com/id/USB-Paddle-Game-Controller/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ted Yapo’s 20-Year-Old PIC-Powered Clock Lives Again as a Freeform Clone
Building on an original PCB-based design first created 20 years ago, Paul Gallagher’s replica is a freeform wonder.
https://www.hackster.io/news/ted-yapo-s-20-year-old-pic-powered-clock-lives-again-as-a-freeform-clone-9dd4a1a971cb
Tomi Engdahl says:
A CR2032 Battery Eliminator
https://hackaday.com/2020/04/24/a-cr2032-battery-eliminator/
Back when batteries were expensive and low-capacity, it was common to buy a “battery eliminator” that could substitute for common battery configurations. [David Watts] must remember those, because he decided to make an eliminator for all the CR2032 battery-driven gear he has. He got some brass blanks about the size of the battery, and you can see the results on the video below.
His first attempt seemed to work fairly well, a sandwich of two brass disks, each with a Velcro spacer and wires soldered on to connect to a power supply. The fake battery looks as though it might be a little thick, but it did work once the battery holder was persuaded to accept it.
Making a CR2032 battery eliminator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYnsxp2uaDs
Tomi Engdahl says:
OpenScan 3D Scans All Of The (Small) Things
https://hackaday.com/2020/04/25/openscan-3d-scans-all-of-the-small-things/
The OpenScan project has been updated quite a bit since its inception. OpenScan is an open source, Arduino or Raspberry Pi-based 3D scanner for small objects that uses 3D printed hardware and some common electronic components to create 3D scans using photogrammetry; a process by which a series of still images from different angles are used to create a 3D point cloud of an object, which can then be used to generate a 3D model.
https://en.openscan.eu/