Don your favorite bathrobe, cream that coffee and get comfortable with this week’s SolidSmack Weekend Reader.
The Weekend Reader features a handful of the most interesting articles featured on the ‘Smack over the past week ranging from tips and tricks to inspirational designs, processes, and more. So lay back, relax and take a load off while reading the top stories on SolidSmack this past week.
Oh and uh…don’t forget to shed some much-needed sunlight on your face, too.
Learn How to 3D Scan with Industrial Designer Eric Strebel
For some designers and engineers, 3D scanning physical objects to use as reference models can be the ultimate time-saver. Industrial Designer Eric Strebel is one such design professional—and as always, he has some insightful tips for fellow designers and engineers out there who want to kickstart their 3D scanning game—aka, photogrammetry.
Stanley Black & Decker to Connect Fleet of 3D Printers Using AstroPrint
AstroPrint announced a spectacular arrangement with Stanley Black & Decker. According to the press release, Stanley Black & Decker will use AstroPrint’s Enterprise Cloud “to connect, control, and optimize their fleet of 3D printers across multiple facilities.”
SkillCoach | Sheet Metal Design & Fabrication – Classic Aviation Bomber Seat Build
Sheet metal design and fabrication is a topic I’ve aimed to cover for quite a while. So I thought I’d kick things off by highlighting one of the build projects by Ron Covell a master metal fabricator and teacher. His Youtube channel is packed full of tips and techniques for the aspiring fabricator. Additionally, if you hop over to his website Covell you will find a host of in-depth tutorials and hands-on workshop opportunities.
‘Float’ Documents the Meticulous Craft of Building Competitive Model Airplanes
While most people outgrow making model airplanes at an early age, others soldier on well into their adult lives; even going so far as to create a sport out of it.
This Bendable Wood Bench Is Material Manipulation at It’s Finest
Life is too short to be sitting on an uncomfortably hard bench— most would rather be spending it on a nice leather chair instead. But what if you could bring that bum-conforming comfort to a wood bench? Heck — how would you even start…no pillows allowed? Such is the premise behind the BEND Bench.
Origami-Inspired Robot Gripper from MIT Adapts To Whatever It Holds
While humankind has made great strides in creating Terminator-like robotic appendages, we’re still a ways from an artificial arm that moves and acts precisely like a flesh-and-blood appendage. Yet, a team of MIT technologists recently created a robot gripper that might help pave the path for one.
