Microsoft has been looking to get a foot in the door of the MR (Mixed Reality) world since early 2015 with their development of HoloLens and the Windows Holographic platform. The company has since announced a collaboration with several leading tech companies, including Dell, ASUS, Acer, HP and Lenovo to produce their own MR headsets in an effort to take advantage of the upcoming Windows 10 Creator’s update (more on this in a bit) that’s scheduled for release early summer. What’s more, the MR headsets are expected to retail for $299, significantly lower than most VR headsets currently on the market. I like what I’m hearing. While not much is…

Sponsored by Quoting and ordering custom parts from within SOLIDWORKS just became easier and faster than ever. The Xometry Add-In for SOLIDWORKS allows designers and engineers to get seamless instant quotes and a manufacturability feedback within a single integrated CAD workspace. “The Add-In is all about efficiency,” said Xometry’s Director of Project Engineering, Greg Paulsen. “The quoting process has typically been a very labor intensive and time consuming endeavor, especially for complex orders like end-use CNC machined parts or higher volume orders, but we have removed the inefficiencies and can provide an accurate lead time and price in just seconds – all within SOLIDWORKS!” You can design and quote all…

Presented by Throughout all the years (decades? yeow!) I’ve use 3D modeling software, I can’t think of a time where I didn’t use some type of in-context assembly design. Not building out a design like that gives me the shakes – I honestly can’t grasp how to get accurate fit and function without it. “That there is what them there hammers is fer!” EXACTLY. You just go ahead a beat that fuel line into submission. I’ll stand waaaaaaay over here. But there are valid reasons why people don’t want to use in-context design in traditional CAD software. Some companies actually ban it or require all reference be destroyed. Why? Simply…

Monoprice has become very well known for their low-cost 3D printer options, but things are about to change significantly. We managed to get a peek at their new set of equipment to be released soon. Currently the company offers a small selection of basic filament-powered desktop 3D printers, one of which, the Select Mini Desktop 3D Printer, is priced at the ridiculously low price of USD$199. That low price has attracted many buyers, including those wishing to experiment in 3D printing and don’t want to risk a high price. Sure, there are more powerful machines, but a low cost machine like this is often the first machine seen by new…

Welding is a useful skill to have, especially if you want to repair your vehicle, which was the goal of Instructable user Mr-Mash who figured it was cheaper to repair his own rather than taking it to the shop. For him, the easiest way to learn welding was to build one big, freakin’ bicycle outfitted with… wait for it, CAR TIRES–16″ Radials to be exact–earning himself the ultimate in street-cred among badass bike enthusiasts. After looking at some creative builds from Atomic Zombie, Mash began his build with a donor BMX bike to get most of the bicycle components he would need for the build, some additional 1-1/4″ and 3/4″ steel tubing…

You know when you’re comfy as a lark in your castle and all of a sudden AN ARMY OF THE UNDEAD ATTACK. I agree, kids in this generation just don’t know how to defend against an occurrence of that sort. Your not gonna text your way out of that one! Oh, yeah, get a selfie of that demusclized skeleton warrior as he cuts your face. Fortunately, there’s a modular castle playset that allows you to set up specific castle attack/defense scenarios AND have fun doing it. The 3D printable Modular Castle Playset is large set of model files, designed by Tim Wahlström in cooperation with the fine team at CreativeTools.se,…