When it comes to being at the right place at the right time, nothing beats that old saying, “the best camera is the camera you have with you.” Perhaps the same can be said for sketchbooks—the best sketchbook is the one you have with you when inspiration strikes. Which is why the pocket-sized Field Notes have always been a favorite for designers and engineers. At just over $3 a pop, these no-fuss 48-page memo books are perfect for laying down rough ideas without worrying about wasting precious paper in a leather hardcover book. Plus, they’re the perfect size for throwing in a shoebox to keep a record of all those…
3Devised is about to launch their new “PLUTO” desktop 3D printer on Kickstarter. The machine is resin-powered and uses the “top-down” approach, unlike almost every other SLA-style 3D printer, which tends to illuminate (usually with lasers) through the bottom of a transparent tank. Instead, the PLUTO fires its light downwards onto the (hopefully) flat and level surface of the liquid resin. And that light is from a DLP light engine, which is significant. This means that the entire layer is illuminated at once, making the printing much faster than having a laser trace all portions of each layer. Even better, the top down illumination means there is ZERO delay between…
No matter what anyone says, machines will never fully replace humans in the food chain. Having a human supervisor on hand beats out a cold, robotic heart any day. The guys at Sarcos Robotics aren’t trying to make manual labor obsolete. In fact, their newest creation requires a human helping hand. The Guardian GT is a remote human-controlled, force-multiplying robot with two seven-foot humanoid arms on a treaded base. Remember those hulking robots the humans used to fight the machines in the last Matrix movie? It’s a bit like that, but with a much less violent design. While the human operator stands comfy in a control harness, the Guardian GT…
When it comes to mechanical pencils, not all are created equal. And with rOtring, this couldn’t be truer. Ideal for sketching, writing, and drawing, the iconic rOtring 800 Mechanical Pencil features an ergonomically enhanced full metal body, with centered weight balance and a comfortable non-slip knurled grip for long work periods without discomfort or fatigue. Featuring a “Twist and Click” retractable mechanism of the entire sleeve and lead, the rOtring 800 Mechanical Pencil can easily go from pocket to sketch without worrying about damage or lead breakage. Quite frankly, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better mechanical pencil for this price. The rOtring 800 Retractable Mechanical Pencil — $34.25 Features:…
As you read this, you’re probably at your desk, killing time while waiting for the workday to end. But do you know just for how long you’ve been sitting down? How about your daily water intake for the day—or meals you’ve eaten? One of the more obscure applications of A.I., the SmartDesk 3 ISN’T a piece of furniture outfitted with an all-seeing digital assistant with a sexy voice (you must be watching too many sci-fi shows). The desk is the third iteration of a 2015 Kickstarter project by Autonomous Smart Office, a manufacturer of smart office products that help people work smarter. The company’s proprietary desk app (which runs on…
It’s time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved mobile device(s)! The Weekly App Smack is the best of new or updated design and productivity apps (and maybe a couple of fun ones, too) for the busy design or engineering professional and this week we have a list sure to make you more efficient. Do you have an app suggestion that has made your life easier or changed up your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or send it into tips@www.solidsmack.com. Hit it! Mosaic from Steven Soderbergh (iOS — Free) In MOSAIC, as in life, the path you pick affects your perception of reality.…