Like a warm embrace first thing in the morning, few things are better to wake up to than a hot cup of joe. And when you’re stepping into a cold warehouse or shop before the sun rises, that hot cup of joe isn’t just a small luxury; it’s an absolute necessity. Which is all the more reasons why we love this lithium-ion cordless coffee maker from Makita. Yes — that Makita. Using the same batteries that power Makita’s expanding 18V Lithium-Ion Series of power tools, the DCM500Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless/Corded Coffee Maker is capable of delivering fresh hot coffee no matter where the job takes you—be it at your…

A tailwind caught the sails. We could do it – cut the reefs and jump the sandbars. We would have to hit the engine cycles perfectly though and make sure the cords held the turnip load. Fear would have overtaken us, but we had plenty of cord, cord made from the sinew of these links. Vincent Jenkins – Wonderful concept work from the Oxford, UK. A mix of the future and the ancient past and ships that just drench the eyes. Picular.io – Google, but for colors. Infra – A while we’re talking colors, these photographs by Pierre-Louis Ferrer will have you wondering how he brings out a single color.…

After watching a video of Prusa Research headquarters, it’s increasingly obvious that time is up for new 3D printer startups. The video, produced by 3D printing YouTube Channel 3DMN and appearing below, is an informal tour of the Prusa Research manufacturing site, where that company produces thousands of desktop 3D printers each and every month. It’s a fascinating watch, as it shows each step Prusa Research takes to manufacture their machines. Steps include component storage, physical assembly, electronics and of course, testing and quality control. https://youtu.be/GDiF6XPI2UI What’s most interesting is the scale of the operation. These steps each take up several large rooms in Prusa Research’s manufacturing center and are…

Don your favorite bathrobe, cream that coffee and get comfortable with this week’s SolidSmack Weekend Reader. The Weekend Reader features a handful of the most interesting articles featured on the ‘Smack over the past week ranging from tips and tricks to inspirational designs, processes, and more. So lay back, relax and take a load off while reading the top stories on SolidSmack this past week. Oh and uh…don’t forget to shed some much-needed sunlight on your face, too. Ford Employees Are Now Using Exoskeletons in Car Assembly You read it correctly; exoskeletons aren’t just fantasy anymore—they’re officially now a tool in the workforce. But unlike the mechanical aids you see…

Remember LEGO’s Bugatti Chiron model kit earlier this year? Well, apparently they thought 3,599 pieces wasn’t enough… so they made a life-sized version to go with the 1:8 scale replica. It isn’t for show either; this LEGO “supercar” consists of over 1,000,000 non-glued bricks and can hold two passengers while accelerating to over 20 km/h. The engine is made from LEGOs as well – featuring 2,304 motors, 4,302 Technic gear wheels, and 2,016 Technic cross axles; it can push out a total torque of 92 Nm and 5.3 horsepower. Technic designers and engineers who normally work on large-scale projects for LEGO stores and LEGOLAND parks are responsible for this mechanical…

Long considered an indispensable asset for anybody working in CAD, the 3D mouse is a quintessential tool that belongs on the desktop of any industrial designer or engineer. Within a 3D application such as SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360, or Keyshot, the directional, zoom and rotate functions provide an intuitive extension of the users’ design intent. To put it quite simply, a 3D mouse helps get rid of those annoying repetitive keystrokes and allows the designer to come as close to possible to holding their digital 3D design in the physical world. As pioneers of the 3D mouse territory, 3Dconnexion has blazed a trail with their SpaceMouse collection. And when it…