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.
7,076 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Avoid the Trash Heap: 15 Great Uses for an Old PC
You may be tempted to junk that ancient laptop or desktop, but if it was created any time in the last decade, you’d be surprised by how much life you can get out of it.
https://uk.pcmag.com/features/94383/avoid-the-trash-heap-15-great-uses-for-an-old-pc?p=1
Tomi Engdahl says:
Watch This Ferrari LaFerrari Diecast Model Go From Trash To Treasure
https://jalopnik.com/watch-this-ferrari-laferrari-diecast-model-go-from-tras-1846752880
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/12/mind-controlled-flamethrower/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/12/testing-3d-printed-worm-gears/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/11/guitar-with-hot-swappable-pickups-lights-our-fire/
https://www.staycaffeinated.com/2021/05/02/designing-a-guitar-with-hot-swappable-pickups
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/11/din-rails-for-everything/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Actively Balancing A Robot With A Gyroscope
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/17/actively-balancing-a-robot-with-a-gyroscope/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Magic Pyramids Blink Eternal With The Power Of The Sun
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/16/magic-pyramids-blink-eternal-with-the-power-of-the-sun/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Realistic Mission Control Box Is A Blast For All Ages
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/13/realistic-mission-control-box-is-a-blast-for-all-ages/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/14/keep-an-eye-on-your-bike-with-this-diy-gps-tracker/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/15/putting-3d-printed-chain-through-its-paces/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/16/3d-printed-tank-takes-on-the-elements/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/16/tape-cutter-makes-short-work-of-through-hole-resistor-reels/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/14/random-robot-makes-random-art/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/14/go-ape-with-a-banana-macropad/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://github.com/nickbild/pico_pong
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/12/simple-encryption-you-can-do-on-paper/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/12/sit-pretty-on-would-be-garbage-with-an-upcycled-chair/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/12/otters-deliver-a-high-power-stationary-audio-experience/
Our favorite raft of otters is back at it again with another display of open source audio prowess as they bring us the OtterCastAmp, the newest member of the OtterCast family of open source audio multitools. If you looked at the previous entry in the series – the OtterCastAudio – and thought it was nice but lacking in the pixel count or output power departments then this is the device for you.
https://hackaday.com/2021/04/06/you-otter-be-able-to-stream-that-audio-open-hardware-eclipses-chromecast-audio/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Seeing-Eye Shoes Pair Computer Vision With Haptic Feedback
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/12/seeing-eye-shoes-pair-computer-vision-with-haptic-feedback/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/15/should-i-automate-this/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Glen Akins’ USB Knob Box features a PIC18F45K50 microcontroller, a pair of encoders, and several buttons for different functions.
DIY USB Knob Box Replaces Blackmagic Design Camera Remote
https://www.hackster.io/news/diy-usb-knob-box-replaces-blackmagic-design-camera-remote-00c94d1814b1
Glen Akins’ USB Knob Box features a PIC18F45K50 microcontroller, a pair of encoders, and several buttons for different functions.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cord to Cordless Jigsaw Conversion from 110V to 18V | RYOBI MJ-21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvVJcfBCxM4
I have 5 electric jigsaws that runs with 110V. It is hard for me for working outside or far away from electric source. I decide to choose one of them and convert it into cordless power tool. “In condition I fail, I still have 4 tools left, but if I succeed I learn something new and have video for you” this is what think before I start the project.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Very Useful Trim/Palm Router Jigs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-iVeb6ob2g
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to make and use a simple trimmer table
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxQPuQV1Oak
Introducing how to make and use a simple trimmer table for beginners.
Tomi Engdahl says:
T-Nut for Installing into Wood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-HOt1tXxF0
Tomi Engdahl says:
10 Amazing and Useful Drill Bits !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3svCcgy7oc
All Kinds of drill bits you should have.
1. Step Cone Drill Bit: https://ban.ggood.vip/RJoq
2. Deburring Drill Bit: https://ban.ggood.vip/RJoi
3. Combination Drill Tap: https://ban.ggood.vip/RJos
4. Adjustable Hole Saw: https://bit.ly/2qwF7n3
5. Self Centering Drill Bit: https://ban.ggood.vip/RJom
6. Earth Planter Drill Bit: https://ban.ggood.vip/RJou
7. Half Time 2 in 1 Drill: https://bit.ly/2NtJfxd
8. Countersink Drill Bit: https://bit.ly/2K65iYD
9. Glass Drill Bit: https://ban.ggood.vip/RJoc
10. Wooden Ball Drill Bit: https://bit.ly/36NUF6A
Tomi Engdahl says:
Yksinkertaiset puunurkkaukset / Puuntyöstöliitokset
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFXieuIcPdU
Tomi Engdahl says:
Threaded Bender for wires very easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHER2qtoOWY
I made a wire bender using battledore bolt.
It’s very easy to make.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to make hand drill lathe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMP8HNwaT9I
I converted broken drill for lathe.
Video comments:
I liked it. It’s the real deal.
Application of excess glu, dropping stuff and the best was the wood piece jumping out.
All natural and original.
Some of the other videos I watch are so perfect and sometimes too perfect.
Good job
Tomi Engdahl says:
This DIY Adapter Lets You Connect Your JAMMA Arcade Cabinet to a PC
If you have a JAMMA arcade cabinet, you can use the DIY MONSTERBASH adapter to connect it to a modern PC.
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-diy-adapter-lets-you-connect-your-jamma-arcade-cabinet-to-a-pc-a3ebc2759079
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/19/thousands-of-discrete-mosfets-make-up-this-compact-cpu-less-computer/
Tomi Engdahl says:
TraNOR’s DIY Transistor Computer Has a CPU Design Containing 2,495 Discrete Transistors
An 8-bit computer capable of running up to 7MHz using discrete MOSFETs.
https://www.hackster.io/news/tranor-s-diy-transistor-computer-has-a-cpu-design-containing-2-495-discrete-transistors-483fde19662d
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/19/transparent-hard-drive-gives-peek-at-the-platters/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Everything You Need to Know About TEFLON Tape (PTFE) | GOT2LEARN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg_yFELOfjs
Title says it, everything you’ll ever need to know about Teflon tape (PTFE) !
Technically, teflon tape does serve as the sealing mechanism in an NPT system where Teflon tape is used. Due to the imprecise nature of the threads which you rightly touch on, they can’t be relied upon for a metal to metal seal as is relied upon in a flare type sealing system. That having been said, applying too much tape makes no more sense than using an oversized o-ring in a joint which relies on an o-ring to seal. And overtightening is also a concern, in much the same way that overtightening an o’ring can result in over-compression of an o’ring to the point where it loses it’s elasticity, leading to premature failure under extreme conditions especially of temperature.
BRAVO….I’ve been an industrial troubleshooter for 50 years. When plumbing is involved, it is very common to find small pieces of tape lodged in control valves, etc. I quickly learned that it was a very bad idea to put tape on the very first thread, and I have been teaching practice to everyone that I have come in contact with. However, you are the first one that i have every encountered on the web that was wise enough to also teach this practice!
Metal on metal without T-tape can cause “galling” like when spark plugs are installed without anti-seize compound, the bare metal can weld itself together by oxidizing (rusting) and if you ever have to remove a galled pipe you know what I’m talking about, get out the cutoff saw! T-tape or the messier older brother Pipe Dope make installation and if necessary removal at a later date much easier!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Li-ion 18v or Li-ion 14.4v Should I Build for Nimh 15.6v Power Tool?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9noAxB31nE
The motor can accept 19.5 volts. I think 18v or 5s is the best choice for this project, but the battery case can only load 5 cells so the capacity is only 3Ah. If the motor works well with a 14.4v battery, it will be good because the 14.4v capacity is 6Ah. I decided to build both types for testing. As a result, the drill with 14.4v battery performed well with the test. I think 14.4v is my best choice for this tool.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/29/living-robots-revisiting-beam/
http://solarbotics.net/bftgu/tutorials.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Finite Element Analysis Vs Real World
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/27/finite-element-analysis-vs-real-world/
FEA vs Real World Accuracy: Suspension Rocker Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAlWcmqcJo8
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/29/3d-printed-flip-dots/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/29/solar-plane-is-like-one-big-flying-solar-panel/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/29/robot-moves-in-any-direction-on-ball-wheels/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reviving Old Recipe For Faraday Wax Keeps Vacuum Experiments Going
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/29/reviving-old-recipe-for-faraday-wax-keeps-vacuum-experiments-going/
Science today seems to be dominated by big budgets and exotics supplies and materials, the likes of which the home gamer has trouble procuring. But back in the day, science was once done very much by the seats of the pants, using whatever was available for the job. And as it turns out, some of the materials the old-timers used are actually still pretty useful.
An example of this is a homemade version of “Faraday Wax”, which [ChristofferB] is using for his high vacuum experiments. As you can imagine, getting a tight seal on fittings is critical to maintaining a vacuum, a job that’s usually left to expensive synthetic epoxy compounds. Realizing that a lot of scientific progress was made well before these compounds were commercially available, [ChristofferB] trolled through old scientific literature to find out how it used to be done.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/faraday-wax-recreating-old-school-high-vacuum-epoxy!/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/30/tiny-pcb-motor-robot-is-making-its-first-wobbly-moves/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/31/thin-coatings-require-an-impressive-collection-of-equipment-and-know-how/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/06/01/trippy-tripteron-kinematics-brainteaser/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/31/handheld-multimeter-converted-for-bench-top-use/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/27/one-inkscape-plugin-collection-to-rule-them-all/
The current MightyScape release has a whole bunch of useful stuff inside, for tasks as varied as laser cutting, 3D printing, vinyl cutting, as well as improvements on areas where Inkscape is a bit weak out of the box – like CAD, geometry and patterning. The extensions are maintained and working, albeit with some bugs, and are intended for use with Inkscape 1.0 and above.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/05/30/hackaday-links-may-30-2021/
Tomi Engdahl says:
ThunderScope
An Open Source Software Defined Oscilloscope
https://hackaday.io/project/180090-thunderscope
The goal of this project is to design and build an open source PC-connected alternative to low cost benchtop 1000 series oscilloscopes that is competitive on both performance and price. The specs this project must achieve are at least 100MHz on four channels, at under $500 USD.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/06/03/radio-build-goes-outside-the-box/