As if it even needs to be said to the many thousands of designers and engineers that read SolidSmack every day, the best way to learn just about new skill is through project-based learning—AKA gettin’ your hands dirty. And while we all clamor for a just a few extra minutes in the day to pursue that side hobby or learn a new skill, it can be challenging to do so without some structural foundation in place. Which is one reason why we love the Raspberry Pi Beginner’s Bootcamp. Designed to be a comprehensive and structured introduction to the Raspberry Pi platform, the 2-hour course is catered for different ages and…

Sufferers of corneal blindness due to burns, diseases, and other misfortunes can see the light once again; for Newcastle University researchers have found a way to 3D print human corneas in just 10 minutes. Using ‘bio-ink’ as the additive material – a solution made from human stem cells, collagen, and alginate – Professor of Tissue Engineering Che Connon and his team have found a way to preserve stem cells while producing a material soft but solid enough to come out of a 3D printer nozzle. This could mean a limitless supply of corneas and a lesser need for donors for those 10 million people worldwide who need surgery to prevent…

Founded in 1959 as a professional tool manufacturer to support Japan’s burgeoning manufacturing industry, Trusco—a combination of the words “Trust” and “Company”—is still manufacturing some of the best toolboxes, today. While their stripped-down design makes them a must-have for many design aficionados, the pressed steel boxes are ridiculously useful for just about anything—tools or not. Still manufactured in Fukui, Japan, Trusco toolboxes now come in more sizes than ever—capable of whatever storage challenges you throw at them. Trusco Toolboxes — $12.27 – $171.12 Features: Steel body, formed for extra strength Versatile sizing for specific storage solutions Double-hinged construction for smooth opening Dividers included Equally useful in the home, office, or…

If you went to college on your path to becoming an engineer/designer/maker you may have learned there are a lot of occupational hazards you were not warned about in that schooling. Even if you didn’t, I bet there were a lot of nasty surprises. Like, what about being cursed? I don’t mean in a profanity way, but more in the black-magic-bad-mojo way. Did anyone warn you of the Engineer’s Curse? More importantly: ARE YOU AFFLICTED?! Chances are: YES. What Is the Engineer’s Curse? Well, due to your professional experience, is there something that is absolutely ruined for you because you know too intimately about the right or proper way it…

Last year, we took a quick peek at the Bollinger Motors B1 – a humongous off-road vehicle powered exclusively by electricity. Big, blocky, and just as transformable as any Transformer, this puppy was made to adjust to almost any outdoor need you can imagine. Now thanks to Bollinger Motors, we finally get to take a behind-the-scenes look at how this environment-friendly monster was made over the course of 16 months: Function over form drives almost all of the Bollinger B1’s features. Take for example the choice to make the vehicle electric. Making the B1 electric from the get-go was always the plan, according to Robert Bollinger. Apart from having a…

Get that stretch out of your system with this week’s Spotify-powered SolidSmack Radio Playlist. It’s fashioned up, ready to make you pull your shoulder blades back and knock out another week of meaningful work while you bob your head to the beat. Whether you’re in the shop milling aluminum, sketching the latest product prototypes or modeling up a 3D storm, consider these tracks as a tool for your process. This week on SolidSmack Radio we’ll get the groove going with “Crystal Blue” from Fantasy Guys before diving into irresistible tracks from Sugar Candy Mountain, Sports, Loving, Toro y Moi, and others before wrapping up with “Nocturne” from Wild Nothing. Let’s…