Synthetos

PCB Cyborg Art

So I had some free time while waiting for Alden to proof my xproto breakout board I designed for the tinyG system that we are working on.  So I took some time to try to mimic the results that Joe Grand of Grand Idea Studios did on his professional PCB mill.  I think the results were pretty good.  In fact they were even better than you see on the final version.  I say this because currently I have a very coarse wire brush on my grinder and did not take the time to switch it to a much finer wire gauge.  I was lazy.  As you can see some of the building is coming off.

Also in the middle there was some “over burn” where I left it in contact too long.

This has kind of inspired me to do some neat graphic / electronics.  Not sure what I am going to do but this would have been much cooler if the cyborg’s eye lit up and would blink faster / slower based off of the temp in the room etc…

Tags: art, defcon, etching, laser, pcb

Laser Cut End Mill Holder

As you know I recently purchased a milling machined to be able to do some custom PCB stuff along with some intro level metal working.  Well today I thought that I would try to create a collet holder that would have its sizes clearly visible.  However being short on time and on a break from some “real” work I made an end mill holder for my 10 piece set from grizzly instead.

I am using a method that I invented I termed:  Self threading square tube insert method. Whats so cool about this is it combines fairly easy cuts of aluminum that pretty much anyone can do with a band saw, hand saw or rusty pocket knife… Well not the last one and I don’t suggest you try it.  But is very cool.  Basically its all in the spacing of the 4 holes that were laser cut that the aluminum sits below.  Its a very tight squeeze which allows the screws to “self thread” inside the square tube’s inside.  Hence the name.  Not super witty but it describes it nicely.   Comments, questions or concerns always welcome.  Next thing to make is the collet holder.

Here is the final results:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1393

Thingiverse Links as always here:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1393

Tags: DIY, end mill, laser, Laser Cutter, Metal Working, mill, useful

Rack and Pinion Attempts…

My first attempt at a rack for a rack and pinion setup on the laser cutter.. All by hand in sketchup.. not super great so far but getting close… Once more unto the breach..

Tags: laser, laser cut, Laser Cutter, laser cutting, lasercutter, pinion, plexi, plexiglass, rack, rack and pinion

New Contraptor Fabricated Parts

Over the weekend I created some new parts to add to the Contraptor.org project that I am working on.  You can see them here: and here:

Tags: CNC, Contraptor, laser, Laser Cutter, open source hardware