Well, we’ve been waiting a long six months, but we’ve finally received access to Vectary, the highly anticipated, online 3D modeling tool, and we’re all sorts of excited to pop open a browser and see what it can do. When we first saw Vectary, we got a glimpse of a simple, intuitive looking interface with an object library, parametric and procedurally generated geometry, templating and various export options. With the attraction of an ALWAYS free, “no limits” 3d modeling system and an open API in the works, it has a lot going for it, but they’re coming into an arena of stiff competition with the likes of Onshape, already in…
Imagine having an Echo (Amazon’s voice-activated home automation device) controlling every device in your home. That’s the idea behind Seeed’s latest endeavor, the ReSpeaker. The ReSpeaker adds voice recognition/interaction to everything from speakers and home appliances to IoT devices. What’s more, the device was designed using open-source hardware and can even be uploaded with your voice service of choice, including Amazon’s Alexa, Google Speech API and Microsoft’s Cognitive Service (among a host of others.) The tiny round PCB comes packed with some impressive hardware for any number of voice interaction projects, which includes an ATmega32u4 microcontroller along with a MT7688 Wi-Fi module, onboard analog microphone and SD card slot for…
If you’ve seen such tv shows as OZ, The Wire or anything of the sort, chances are you’ve seen some brilliantly hacked together tattoo guns made from little more than approved items found in the prison commissary. Needless to say, these prison tinkerers aren’t starting with anything close to a DIY Build Your Own Tattoo Gun Kit –– and more often than not, they likely don’t even have tools to build something even with the few parts that they may be able to scrap together. More recently, A&E took a closer look at the build process that goes into one of these surprisingly effective DIY tattoo gun solutions made from parts…
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! Rubek “Rubek is a minimalist color based puzzle game. Roll a cube to pick up…
Presented by You don’t have to wait for quotes any longer. The new Xometry SOLIDWORKS Add-In gives you instant pricing and manufacturability feedback on your CAD file directly within SOLIDWORKS. It’s dead simple to use and the handy “Production Guide: Designing Early for Custom Manufacturing” gives you all the tips on designing your parts for a variety of processes and materials. DOWNLOAD GUIDE How does it work? Let’s watch the Xometry Add-in in action: https://youtu.be/mY4UGO08yI4 After you have the Add-in installed and you’re logged into Xometry, just open the part you want to have quoted. In the sidebar, click ‘Add part to quote’. In just a few seconds you’ll see…
“Ello Pip!” Why hello yourself! I’m glad you showed up because I need to talk to someone about storage. I have 397 Mason jars filled with nuts, screws, stamps, snail shells, dried shellac, dry lint… well, you get the idea. I need a better storage solution. “Did you see this splendid, stackable, sensational set of 3D printed storage drawers?” I see them now, thank you! And while I could order a wall-size set of storage drawers online and have them here tomorrow, 3D printing them is so much more challenging! Plus, imagine the combinations one could come with. Yes, I’m fairly certain the ultimate use for 3D printers is printing…