If there’s one thing that MakerBot has learned over the course of its short existence, it’s that you can’t please them all. While early adopters seeking a well-rounded user experience for 3D printing at home welcomed MakerBot’s push towards a cohesive ecosystem, those in the Open Source–heavy DIY community pushed back as the company attempted to close off what they believed should have been open technology. Also –– the printers didn’t work that great anyways. But despite the various ups and downs over the years –– including the major low point of shipping manufacturing overseas –– the company has finally gotten one thing right: their market is professionals and educators…NOT DIY enthusiasts.…
What’s that you say? Your wallet can store five stamps and a breath mint? That’s nothing. The Dango Tactical Wallet can do all the things a regular wallet can do PLUS saw down a small tree, open a can, open a bottle, measure your bicep, tension a rope, break glass, tighten bolts, drive screws, pry nails and still have enough time to act as your trusty phone stand. “Who needs all that?” WHO DOESN’T? Charlie Carroll and Thuan Tran head up Dango Products and IN A WORLD of waaaay too many multi-tool options, waaaaay to many wallet options, and waaaay to many combinations of both, they’ve developed a design that…
Despite raising nearly $4 million across two Kickstarter campaigns, the 3Doodler 3D printing pen never really took off as a tool for professional designers and architects to hash out 3D sketches quickly (note: they are trying to change this). Instead, the hot plastic–extruding handheld device became more popular with artists and sculptors who praised the ability to quickly develop more abstract forms. Among others who have taken the 3D printing pen under their belt (quite literally) is sculptor Grace Du Prez. Heck, she even defines herself as a “3D Printing Pen Artist” –– although her background is in mixed media textile design. More recently, the sculptor –– who has made…
Time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved mobile device, be it iPhone, Android or Windows! 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! Google Trips Google Trips makes exploring the world easier by organizing your essential info in…
Having been in existence since the 1st century AD, there is nothing necessarily revolutionary about mold-blowing –– an alternate form of the glassblowing method that came shortly after free–blowing. However, designer Fabio Vogel just might have brought one of the more refreshing updates to the glass manufacturing method that we’ve seen in quite a long time. For his new collection ‘105 ltr Formen’, Vogel implemented mold-blowing mold patterns made from fireproof textiles to both shape and impact the improvised final result. The finished objects not only carry distinctive organic shapes that are unique from one to the next but also feature a worn fabric pattern left behind that brings a…
This week’s Spotify-powered SolidSmack Radio Playlist knocks you in the pop sockets with head-boppin’ groove tuneage to help propel you through the work week in style. Whether you find yourself inking markers until they’re dry, grinding material through a bandsaw or working that 3D geometry all day, consider these tracks as a tool for your process. This week we’ll start things off with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” from The Slits and work our way through tracks from John Cooper Clarke, Mac Demarco, John Maus, Leisure and others before wrapping up with “Special” from Andrew Ashong. Have suggestions? As always, let us know what you listen to, what you…