Schlagwort: Weekend Project

  • Weekend Project: 3D Printed Motorized Turntable for Photo & Video

    Weekend Project: 3D Printed Motorized Turntable for Photo & Video

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Want to capture all 360 degrees of an object with your camera? Adafruit has recently shared a 3D printing project that shows you how to create an inexpensive turntable made for photographers and videographers. 

    As anyone in the photography or film world knows, the many different types of production equipment that are available can be incredulously expensive. Even something as simple as a turntable (no, not the kind you spin your father’s old records on) can be quite costly for aspiring photographers or even a professional on a budget.

    A photography turntable is a flat platform that has one job: spinning. In doing so, it provides a 360 degree view of whatever object happens to be stationed upon it at the time. This piece of equipment is oftentimes used for product photography, adding motion to video clips, as well as for capturing intricate details and propping up an object to improve lighting.

    There’s no doubt that this tool is helpful, but it can be difficult for a frugal photographer to justify spending $100+ on a platform that simply spins around. Thankfully, the open source hardware pioneers at Adafruit have recently shared a DIY turntable that you can create with 3D printing and various electronic components.

    This turntable platform has an adjustable rotation speed, clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, and interchangeable platforms that you can 3D print. Let’s take a look at what you need to build your own 3D printed motorized turntable for photography and videography purposes.

    3D Printed Motorized Turntable: What do you Need?

    As this project was featured on Adafruit, most of the non-3D printed supplies you’ll need can be obtained directly from them. The STL files for the turntable and base are available on Thingiverse. Aside from your 3D printer and filament, here’s what else you’ll need to build your own 3D printed motorized turntable:

    Without including the 3D printing filament that you’ll end up using for this project, all of the required electronics and components will only cost you around $35. Now that’s a bargain!


    3D Printed Motorized Turntable: Putting it Together

    If you’re relatively inexperienced with electronics, this project is actually the perfect place to start learn some soldering skills. The circuitry for the turntable is quite easy to follow, using just five components. The main source here is the Itsy Bitsy board, which runs CircuitPython code to control the mechanics of the turntables and supply power via USB or battery.

    You’ll have to solder a LiPo battery to the board, and also mount the potentiometer, which controls the rotation speed; the SPDT switch controls, which determines whether the turntable spins clockwise or counterclockwise; and the servo motor, which keeps things spinning along. Check out the circuit schematic below.


    Once the electronics are assembled, the next step is to run the CircuitPython code on the Itsy Bitsy M0 board. You can find the script and further programming instructions on the Adafruit website.

    There’s only two primary parts that you’ll need to 3D print: the electronics enclosure and the turntable platform. The 3D models are designed to make the assembly process easy, equipped with a snap-fit back to allow access to the electronics, as well as cutouts for both the USB and servo motor.


    According to Liz Clark, the author behind this project, she 3D printed the parts at a 0.2 layer height with 20 percent infill. The maker also suggests using supports to ensure that the cutouts have accurate dimensions. She also points out that the 3D models can be easily modified or resized on Fusion360 to fit your needs. 

    The final step is putting it all together, starting off with soldering the electronics. Once the soldering process is completed, Clark explains how to properly wire the components into the 3D printed enclosure, beginning with mounting the USB micro B extension into the cutouts and finishing up with the servo. We won’t go into every detailed step here, so if you’re planning on taking this project for a “spin”, be sure to check out the Adafruit project page for the entire play-by-play.

    Once you complete the assembly process and place the 3D printed turntable platform on top of the servo, you’ll have your very own 3D printed motorized turntable. Now you can take 360 degree photos or videos of your 3D prints, products, or anything else that manages to fit on this affordable, yet highly capable, DIY turntable!


    License: The text of „Weekend Project: 3D Printed Motorized Turntable for Photo & Video“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own Workshop-Ready Steampunk Goggles

    Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own Workshop-Ready Steampunk Goggles

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Many steampunk cosplay items provide mechanical style and an aesthetic look. But these elaborate 3D printed steampunk goggles are equipped with prescription lenses and welding filters that will keep your eyes safe while you’re in the workshop.

    Inspired by historical science fiction and steam-powered machinery, the steampunk genre has blossomed into one of the most popular styles of cosplay. Movies like Mad Max and Wild Wild West exemplify this mechanical fashion to a T, think clothing and accessories made with grinding gears and an anachronistic look.

    Read more: Sci-Fi Fashion: 20 Best Steampunk Props to DIY

    For today’s Weekend Project, we’re sharing some 3D printable steampunk goggles that not only look awesome, but are also extremely useful. Created by Thingiverse user TickTock, this wearable will have you looking the part, and will also protect your eyes when you’re building in the workshop. How? Well, these steampunk goggles are equipped with prescription lenses, welding filters, and even a magnifying lens as well.

    If you’re a maker who loves the steampunk look, these 3D printed goggles are perfect for you. Let’s take a look at what you need and how to build these sweet workshop shades.


    3D Printed Steampunk Goggles: What do you Need?

    The STL files for the 3D printed steampunk goggles are freely available via Thingiverse. Each model, aside from the headrest and eyecups, need to be printed twice. Produce one part as is, and then mirror it and print it again for the left side of the goggles. While the default version contains three lens slots, TickTock has also provided versions for two or five lens slots as well.

    Aside from the various tools listed below, the maker also utilized Rust-Oleum spray paints to give a metallic look to the 3D printed parts. Conversely, you can also try printing in materials like Copper fill, Steel fill, and Bronze fill, all of which are available through colorFabb.

    Here’s the rest of the material checklist for the steampunk goggles:


    3D Printed Steampunk Goggles: Putting it Together

    After printing the components for the goggles, the first step is to remove the supports that TickTock has embedded into his files. Since these support structures are already put in place, you don’t need to worry about adding any during the slicing process. The next step is to throughly paint the 3D printed parts, letting them dry before moving onto the assembly process.

    Once that step is complete, it’s finally time to start putting it together. There are quite a few steps before the assembly is complete, but TickTock lays everything out in detail on his Thingiverse post. The process is quite meticulous, as there are a number of small gears and pieces that need to be connected.

    Lastly, after the build is complete, you’ll add eyecups and lenses of your choice. If you wear prescription glasses, you’ll have to find the right lens for your eyes.


    If you want to find out more about how these steampunk goggles work, check out TickTock’s YouTube video below. And, if you’re ready to start constructing your own workshop-ready glasses, check out the full assembly instructions on Thingiverse.

    License: The text of „Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own Workshop-Ready Steampunk Goggles“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Project of the Week: 3D Print a Solar-Powered Open RC Boat

    Project of the Week: 3D Print a Solar-Powered Open RC Boat

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Want to spend the summer days sailing the seven seas and soaking up the sun? Thingiverse user UniversalMaker shows us how to build a 3D printed Open RC Boat equipped with solar panels.  

    With summertime approaching and warm weather abound, it’s the perfect time to head over to your local body of water to lounge out, swim, and maybe even sail a remote controlled boat?

    A German maker and Thingiverse user who goes by the name of UniversalMaker has revealed the Open RC Boat. The latest version is equipped with solar panels, made with 3D printed hull and electronics from Wavebreaker RC boat.

    Started in 2012, the OpenRC Project has already taken the 3D printing world by storm, and was recently used to create a RC Formula 1 car by renowned maker Daniel Norée. Now, you can take this open source project to the high seas, soaking up energy from the sun while you cruise around with your RC boat.


    Solar-Powered Open RC Boat: What do you Need?

    The STL files for this 3D printable parts are freely available on Thingiverse, all of which should be printed at 20 percent infill. UniversalMaker also shares the .scad file to enable customization of the model on OpenSCAD.

    If you want to build your own Open RC Boat with solar panels, here’s what else you’ll need:


    Solar-Powered Open RC Boat: Putting it Together

    The assembly process for the Open RC boat is surprisingly easy. First, use the customizer to select the parts you need. Print all of the parts, and then glue the main hull together and drill holes through the mounting plates so you can insert m3 screws.

    Once you have the 3D printed hull glued together, it’s time to take the electronics out of a toy boat. Check out the photo below to see which components are used and where they are placed.


    After the boat and electronics are assembled, use clear spray paint to make everything watertight, eliminating the porosity that FDM printing tends to create.

    If you want to add the solar upgrade to the Open RC Boat, which is optional, there are some other parts you’ll need to 3D print. These 3D printed holders will be used to mount the solar panel to the boat.

    Check out UniversalMaker’s YouTube video below for more detailed assembly instructions. He also shares some important information tips on the project’s Thingiverse page, so be sure to check that out while you’re downloading the STL files.

    Happy sailing!

    License: The text of „Project of the Week: 3D Print a Solar-Powered Open RC Boat“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: Create a 3D Printed Pocket Microscope from E-Waste

    Weekend Project: Create a 3D Printed Pocket Microscope from E-Waste

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Have an ancient DVD or CD drive collecting dust in your garage? You can use your 3D printer and a recycled lens to create an e-waste pocket microscope. 

    For those of us living in the modern world, it’s hard to imagine surviving without the electronics that have become such an integral part of our lives. However, as new and innovative devices replace the electronics of yesteryear, e-waste is quickly piling up across the world.

    This is why so many environmentally-conscious makers prefer to salvage useful components from old computers, CD/DVD players, and so on.

    One maker, who is aptly named “The-PC-Bloke”, recently shared an incredibly project on Instructables that shows how to make a pocket-sized microscope with your 3D printer and e-waste. The maker had a few goals he wanted to satisfy with this project, including sourcing parts from e-waste, creating something useful, portable, and child-friendly, while also keeping things simple.

    His solution was to take the lens from an old CD drive and use 3D printing to transform it into a microscope.


    3D Printed Pocket Microscope: What do you Need?

    Believe it or not, you don’t need much to construct a functional pocket-sized microscope. Alongside your 3D printer and some PLA filament, you’ll also require an old CD drive that you can disassemble and source the primary lens from.

    The maker uses a relatively ancient IDE interface CD drive, but you should be able to find the proper lens in any spare CD, DVD, or BLU-RAY player. In addition, make sure you have a pair of wire cutters and a cross-head screwdriver handy to help take your e-waste apart.


    3D Printed Pocket Microscope: Putting it Together

    First and foremost, you’ll have to source the lens from an old CD/DVD/BLU-RAY player, which are quite abundant and easy to obtain nowadays. Using the screwdriver, the maker behind this project carefully took apart his old CD drive, saving other parts along the way that could possibly be used for other creations in the future.

    For this project, you’ll need to safely retrieve the main focus lens, which is generally held inside the centre of a carriage by fine wires and magnets. You should be able to remove the lens with a pair of wire cutters. Unsure of how well this lens would work for magnification, The-PC-Bloke was pleasantly surprised by the outcome, able to clearly see the pixels on the display of his older smartphone devices.

    Once the main lens was unearthed, the maker moved onto the CAD design process, keeping in mind that he wanted something simple with pocket-sized portability. The-PC-Bloke goes into longwinded detail about his design process on his Instructables post, but we’ll go ahead and skip ahead to the fun part: 3D printing.

    The model itself is split into four different pieces, each of which was 3D printed with 100 percent infill at 0.1mm layer height. Once the printing process is complete, it’s time to assemble the microscope. You’ll probably want to do a bit of post-processing with high-grit sandpaper, which will help remove stringiness and blobs, as well as sharp corners, from the microscope enclosure.

    Lastly, insert the primary lens into the carriage and use some oil to ease the sliding motion and acquire a snug fit. In the project’s instructional guide, The-PC-Bloke concludes with a few test shows using the microscope (one of which you can see below), and the results are quite impressive to say the least!

    Check out the Instructables post to learn more about this easy and environmentally sound project!


    License: The text of „Weekend Project: Create a 3D Printed Pocket Microscope from E-Waste“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: Make Your Garden Glow with 3D Printed LED Flowers

    Weekend Project: Make Your Garden Glow with 3D Printed LED Flowers

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Want to give your 3D printer the green thumb? Autodesk and Instructables content creator Becky Stern shares a project on how to make 3D printed light-up flowers with LED lights. 

    FDM desktop 3D printing has opened up a new world of possibilities when it comes to making customizable and decorative objects. By integrating LED lights, electronics, and other non-printed components, the potential to create practical or aesthetic projects with your 3D printer expands tenfold.

    Becky Stern is a Brooklyn-based content creator for Autodesk and Instructables, and her last couple of projects have strived to teach CAD design while supplying ornaments to spruce up your home. We recently covered her tutorial on how to create 3D printed LED mason jar lanterns, and now she’s back with another project to adorn your surroundings with.

    This project is simple, educational, and like any blossoming garden, will brighten up your day. Let’s take a look at how to create your own 3D printed LED flower.


    3D Printed Glowing Flowers: What Do You Need?

    To create your own 3D printed LED flower, you’ll need access to a 3D printer, as well as green PLA filament and white PLA filament (if you want to replicate Stern’s version). The STL files are freely available for download via Stern’s Instructables post, where she also explains how to design your own plastic bloom using Tinkercad.

    Outside of the typical desktop 3D printing equipment and filament, here’s what else you need to sprout the seed of this project:


    3D Printed Glowing Flowers: Putting it Together

    Stern kicks her Instructables project off with the CAD design process, explaining how to design your own flower model. She also provides the STL files for her own version, making this first step completely optional. However, if you want to become more familiar with 3D modeling, you can follow her step-by-step process on how to grow a digital flower on this freely available CAD software.

    The model is split into two different STL files, allowing you to pick and choose what color combination you want to evoke with your flower. The flower base should be 3D printed at 100 percent infill, while the pedals are printed at 20 percent infill with a concentric fill pattern.

    Once your flower pedal and stem are 3D printed, it’s time to prep the LED light by clipping both legs and fitting them into the 3D printed base. Be sure to keep track of which leg is the longer one, as this will be important in the following step.


    In the flower stem, there’s a slot for you to insert the battery. There’s a “+” indicator on the 3D printed model to show you which way the battery should be facing. Take the longer leg and line it up with the positive (+) side of the flower base. This should make the LED light illuminate with a white glow.

    Next, you’ll insert the LED into the top of 3D printed base, resting in the small channels that are placed at the opening of the stem. Then, slide the 3D printed flower pedal over the LED and voilà, you now have a 3D printed LED flower.

    The final step is optional, but definitely adds a bit of natural flair to your 3D printed flower. Stern uses a needle felting technique to create the bulb of the flower. By poking tiny holes in the fiber, you can tangle it up and create a dome-like shape to fit over the LED. This will help diffuse the light and produce a more relaxing glow.

    If you want to learn more about Stern’s educational and enjoyable project, check out the full instructions on her Instructables post, as well as the step-by-step video posted below.

    License: The text of „Weekend Project: Make Your Garden Glow with 3D Printed LED Flowers“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Project of the Week: Make Your Own Coin-Spitting Mario Question Block

    Project of the Week: Make Your Own Coin-Spitting Mario Question Block

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    For this week’s Project of the Week, 3D print and Arduino your way to this coin-spitting Question Block from universe of Nintendo favorite, Mario.

    Loose change, shrapnel… whatever you call it, the blight of small denomination coins deserves better than sitting in a jar on the shelf at home. Which is perhaps the thought that crossed maker Jonathan Whalen’s mind when he created a fully functioning Question Block from the Mario universe.

    Putting his spare change to use in some video game themed frivolity, he fashioned a Question Block from the Nintendo’s Mario video game series using a 3D printer, Arduino and a bunch of other small electronics parts.

    The result is pretty spectacular. We’re just holding out for the mushroom-ejecting remix.

    Find out how to build your own after the jump.

    Super Mario Question Block: What do You Need?

    In order to create your own Super Mario Question Block, you’ll first need to download and print the required STL files. Handily Whalen has published them on the usual file repositories — you can get them from Thingiverse here.

    Naturally you’ll need to print the main sections of the box in that signature yellow color too, which means an appropriately hued filament. That, and white for the question mark symbols themselves.

    It’s also worth keeping in mind that the box will only shoot $1 coins. Whalen provides an STL to print your own correctly sized coins, which would naturally look best printed in gold filament.

    Here’s the full bill of other materials you’ll need:

    Super Mario Question Block: Putting it all Together

    To create this coin-shooting Question Block, Whalen (a.k.a. Jonnywayway) 3D prints the outer shell, glue-on question marks and structure of the internal coin-firing mechanism. Printed at 20% infill with no supports, Whalen describes it as a long print, so leave yourself adequate time if you’re planning to whip this up to a deadline.

    The mechanism to spit the coins out of the box is ingenious for its simplicity. A sliding carriage slots into a guiding rail printed in place on the “roof” part of the box. Held in place with a rubber band, this carriage is free to slide deeper into the box, bringing a coin with it, before firing back into place under the elastic tension from the band.

    With the band and carriage in place, Whalen fixes the Arduino Nano, vibration sensor and slide switch in place (also on the roof of the box) with screws, before turning his attention to the stepper motor.

    Inserted into one of the printed pieces for the mechanism, the motor mounts to the guiding rail. With a printed cog attached to its driveshaft, the stepper draws the carriage down, releasing it to spring back into place and launching a coin in the process.

    Wiring these electrical components up, then its just a case of closing the box and gluing the decorative elements on the outside.

    It’s worth noting this’ll be a tough project for absolute beginners. Whaley linking to the Arduino code but does not going as far as to explain how to set it all up. The same goes for hooking up power inside the Question Block. Though we imagine carefully watching his build video should give some clues.

    You can find all the elements of Whaley’s build on his Thingiverse page for the project. Happy making!

    License: The text of „Project of the Week: Make Your Own Coin-Spitting Mario Question Block“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: How to 3D Print Watertight and Airtight Containers

    Weekend Project: How to 3D Print Watertight and Airtight Containers

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    A new Instructables post from user mikey77 shows how you can adjust your 3D printing slicer settings to make watertight and airtight containers, cups, tanks, and more.  

    There are tons of useful and unique objects that you can create with your desktop 3D printer, but there are certain factors that prevent makers from properly producing food-safe and watertight items. Generally speaking, the layering of FDM prints lead to micro spaces that allow bacteria to build up, water to leak, and air to seep out.

    But a new Instructables post from user mikey77 claims that with just a few tweaks to your 3D printing slicer settings, you can 3D print containers, cups, and tanks that are watertight and airtight. The concept is simple. All you need to do adjust your slicer to prompt over-extrusion of your filament.

    That’s it? Well, pretty much. You’ll have to manually change a number of slicer settings, and, if you’re planning to print something for the kitchen, make sure you’re using a food-safe filament, a clean extruder, and the right nozzle.

    Let’s take a closer look at the maker’s methodology, slicer settings, and impressive results.


    3D Printed Watertight and Airtight Containers: How to Make it

    Aside from your 3D printer, all you’ll need here is a reliable slicing software and PLA filament, preferably one that is considered to be food-safe.

    To achieve over-extrusion, you’ll need to slow down your print speed and increase the extrusion multiplier. By doing so, the extrusion will be wider and overlap side by side layers. There are a number of slicer settings you’ll need to adjust, and thankfully, mikey77 shares all of the specifics on his Instructables post. He uses the MatterControl slicer in his example, but the settings should be able to transcend into any slicing software.

    These setting adjustments will lead to 3D prints that are more solid, making it easier to clean and keep bacteria out. The maker claims that storing and measuring dry food should be fine with most types of PLA. But when it comes to holding liquid, you’ll want to use a filament that doesn’t have additives and is rated food-safe.


    You’ll also want to utilize a clean extruder for all food-safe 3D prints. This is because previously used filaments can leave residue in the extruder, and could end up being infused into your food-safe filament.

    Lastly, to be on the safe side, you should also use stainless steel or another lead-free nozzle to print food-safe items, rather than the commonly used brass nozzle. Some brass nozzles are alloys that include lead, which could seep out and come in contact with food.

    Mikey77 also claims that his slicer settings could also be used to produce airtight objects like air pressure tanks and artificial muscles. In his Instructables post, he also includes STL files for a glass and beaker, allowing you to experiment with this innovative concept.


    License: The text of „Weekend Project: How to 3D Print Watertight and Airtight Containers“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: Take Aim With This Awesome 3D Printed Mini Crossbow

    Weekend Project: Take Aim With This Awesome 3D Printed Mini Crossbow

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    South Korean maker “DIYPark” shows us how to create a fully 3D printed and functional Mini Crossbow. Set up some targets and take aim, because it’s time to get your archery on.  

    When taking on a DIY project, we often see how combining 3D printing with electronics and other technologies can produce some unbelievable objects. But sometimes a 3D printer is all you need to bring a spectacularly fun concept to life.

    That’s what South Korean maker Park Gwan Su (known on Thingiverse on DIYPark) did with his 3D printed Mini Crossbow. This tiny bow will have you feeling like Robin Hood of the maker world. Not only is it fully functional, but it also packs quite a punch, so you’ll need to be responsible and cautious with where you’re taking aim.

    Nonetheless, this Weekend Project is a great way to showoff the capabilities of your desktop 3D printer, and will provide endless enjoyment to you, your family, and your friends. Let’s take a closer look at this incredible 3D printed Mini Crossbow.


    3D Printed Mini Crossbow: What Do You Need?

    In order to build your own 3D printed Mini Crossbow, all you need is your 3D printer, a few different colors of filament, some fishing line for the crossbow string, and toothpicks for ammunition.

    This project will require a fair amount of 3D printing time, as the model is made up of 10 individual parts. There’s also some targets that you can print out as well, giving you something to shoot at once your bow is complete.

    You can download the STL files for free from Thingiverse or Cults3D. The maker uses 20 percent infill for the parts, none of which require support structures. Feel free to get creative with colors and personalize the Mini Crossbow to your style!

    According to the project’s creator, the crossbow is capable of firing off four consecutive shots. DIYPark also recommends wearing safety goggles to protect yourself from any stray arrows, because, well, it’s better to be safe than sorry.


    3D Printed Mini Crossbow: Putting it all Together

    In his Youtube video on the project (posted below), DIYPark shares insight into every step of the project, from 3D modeling to assembly. Right around the 3:30 mark, the maker moves on from the CAD modeling process to the assembly. The instructions are clearly depicted and easy to follow, but may require a tiny amount of post-processing to make sure everything fits together.

    Once all of the 3D printed parts are put together, it’s time to thread the fishing line onto the bow. Simply tie some knots on each end and snip the leftover sting off. And there you have it. Load in some toothpicks and take aim at the mini targets that DIYPark provides with the other STL files.

    And don’t forget, while it might look like a toy, the Mini Crossbow can be dangerous and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Please be careful where you aim this tiny bow, and don’t let children play around with it without adult supervision.

    License: The text of „Weekend Project: Take Aim With This Awesome 3D Printed Mini Crossbow“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: 3D Printed OKAY 2 Synth Brings Music to the Maker’s Ears

    Weekend Project: 3D Printed OKAY 2 Synth Brings Music to the Maker’s Ears

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Oskitone’s new and improved OKAY 2 is a mind-blowing DIY synth that you can 3D print and put together on your own. Hone your 3D printing and soldering skills with this sweet musical instrument and let the sounds sweep you away!

    Looking for a new musical instrument to play? Why not use your 3D printer to create a synthesizer that is completely tailored to your style? Well, we’ve got a great project for all the musically-minded makers to take on over the weekend.

    Last year, the San Francisco-based one-man musical instrument studio Oskitone released its first version of the OKAY synth, and has since refined the concept in a variety of ways. The new and improved OKAY 2 is an analog, monophonic, square wave synthesizer that is largely made up of 3D printed parts. It was designed on OpenSCAD and EAGLE by a man named Tommy, who is in charge of Oskitone.


    The instrument utilizes modular PCBs, octave and volume controls, and a speaker to share your creative sounds with the world. Unlike the first iteration, the OKAY 2 has a completely redesigned key mounting, improvements in the key travel distance, an audio out jack, and a built-in display stand.

    More Musical Ideas: 15 Groovy Ideas for Homemade Musical Instruments to DIY

    This 3D printed synth looks and sounds tremendous, and you can build your own customized version for a relatively low price. Let’s take a look at what it takes to assemble and start jamming out on the 3D printed OKAY 2 synth.

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    DIY OKAY 2 Synth: What Do You Need?

    In order to build your own OKAY 2 Synth, you’ll need to have a 3D printer and soldering iron kit. While there are a number of electronic components inside of this compact instrument, you can acquire everything by ordering the OKAY 2 Synth DIY kit from the Oskitone website for $55.

    The STL files for the body and keys of the synthesizer are freely available on Thingiverse.

    If you want to skip the 3D printing and assembly process, you can also just purchase the assembled version of the synth in green or hot pink for $110. But building the OKAY 2 your self is half of the fun! So let’s figure out how to put it all together.


    DIY OKAY 2 Synth: Putting it All Together

    Putting together this DIY synthesizer is no easy feat, but thankfully Oskitone provides detailed instructions on how to put this project together. The lengthy assembly manual goes into the 3D printing settings, the PCB assembly, testing and debugging, and circuit schematics.

    As you can see in the time-lapse video below, the OKAY 2 Synth requires quite a bit of assembly and soldering time, but your hard work will be rewarded with a customized musical instrument create with your very own hands. If you want to learn more about how this synthesizer is put together, be sure to view the full assembly manual from Oskitone.

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    License: The text of „Weekend Project: 3D Printed OKAY 2 Synth Brings Music to the Maker’s Ears“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own Customizable Soda Can Lamp

    Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own Customizable Soda Can Lamp

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    An engineer named Arnd (also known as AHNT) recently shared a fun 3D printing project, showing us how to create an customizable soda can lamp that can you light up with LEDs or a candle. 

    Here at All3DP, we go through a lot of 3D printing filament and thirst-quenching carbonated drinks, so we always try to encourage our readers to recycle as often as possible. But that doesn’t always have to equate to throwing your filament strands and soda cans into the recycling bin. It turns out you can also reuse your discarded aluminum trash to make a 3D printed soda can lamp.

    A young engineer named Arnd–who also goes by the name AHNT— recently shared his unique Individualized Soda Can Lamp project on MyMiniFactory. He designed a 3D printable sleeve that fits snugly around most 250mL soda cans. You can poke tiny pixel-like holes into the can through the sleeve, enabling you to add a customized design to your lamp.


    AHNT created two different types of bases to illuminate the lamp. There’s one designed to hold a votive candle, while the other is made for use with a LED strip circuit and 12 VDC barrel jack. Let’s take a look at this innovative 3D printing project and figure out how to make our own Soda Can Lamp.

    3D Printed Soda Can Lamp: What Do You Need?

    Aside from your 3D printer and 3D printing filament, here’s what else you need to complete this project:


    3D Printed Soda Can Lamp: Putting it Together

    There are five essential steps to creating a customized soda can lamp, and AHNT takes us through each part in his YouTube video detailing the project. The first thing you’ll do is open the can by getting ride of the top lid. You can either use sandpaper or a filer to grind away at the top of the can until the metal sheets divide, creating a gap in the can. This will make it easy to remove the cap.

    Next, you’ll stuff the can with some paper towels to stabilize it, which will prevent it from buckling when you begin piercing it with the needle. The 3D printed sleeve acts as a template for the design you will put into the can through the perforation process. The designer uses a size 18 medical needle, which you can find at your local pharmacy. After you put the can inside of the 3D printed sleeve, you’ll use the needle to poke holes through the tiny gaps in the sleeve.

    To create your own design, you can use Powerpoint or Adobe Illustrator (or a number of other programs). First, create a rectangle and place the design inside of the rectangle, which you will then print out. Cut out the design and glue it to the can, and push the 3D printed sleeve over it. The design will act as a stencil for you to poke out your custom design.

    To obtain a clean surface on the can, AHNT suggests spray painting the can to get rid of the branding design and any colors. Finally, you can use the 3D printed base for either the LED stripe or candle, which the engineer goes into more detail about in the YouTube video.

    If you want to create your own Soda Can Lamp, check out the comprehensive instructions in the video below!

    License: The text of „Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own Customizable Soda Can Lamp“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own NERF Thirst Zapper Gun From Fallout 4

    Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own NERF Thirst Zapper Gun From Fallout 4

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    With just a spring and a 3D printer, Croatian digital artist and maker Vedran Marjanovic Wekster shows you how to create a NERF-ified version of the Thirst Zapper gun from the video game series Fallout. 

    In the post-apocalyptic setting of the critically acclaimed video game Fallout 4, the main character– referred to as “Sole Survivor”– uses an eclectic and creative mix of weapons to trudge through a dark and dismal world. In the game, you can spray down your enemies with the cool and refreshing Thirst Zapper gun, a Nuka Cola bottle-shaped weapon that is capable of discharging irradiated soda at the bad guys.

    Croatian artist and maker Vedran Marjanovic Wekster recently created his own 3D printed NERF-styled Thrist Zapper. The project was showcased on his YouTube channel Wekster’s Geeky Stuff, and subsequently upvoted to the front page of the 3D printing subreddit r/3Dprinting.

    Wekster uses 3D printed parts and a small spring to create the Fallout themed NERF gun. Thankfully, he’s sharing the files on Thingiverse, so we can all prepare ourselves for any potential nuclear apocalypse.

    Thirst Zapper NERF Gun: What do you Need?

    For this Weekend Project, you just need a few things you might already have laying around the house. Here’s the list of goods:

    • 3D printer
    • STL files (via Thingiverse)
    • Small spring (Wekster notes that created the model to work with any spring that has a diameter larger than 9mm)
    • NERF darts
    • Small screws (test size at hardware store or from toolbox to find right fit)

    Thirst Zapper NERF Gun: Putting it all Together

    Looking to improve upon his previous Rick and Morty-inspired NERF gun project, Wekster wanted to experiment with a reverse plunger mechanism. Instead of re-doing the model, he searched for a video game weapon that could contain the size of his new idea. Eventually, he settled on the Thirst Zapper from Fallout 4, a fitting match for the video game trailer creator and DIY enthusiast.

    The model comes broken into 11 different 3D printable parts, including everything from the reverse plunger to the Nuka Cola logo. Wekster explains in his video that the smaller inside components were 3D printed with a 0.1 mm layer thickness, but he used a 0.4 mm layer thickness for the outer shell. In order to make the 3D printed parts strong enough to withstand force, he uses 60% infill for a number of them.

    After 3D printing the various parts, Wekster painted the Thirst Zapper’s body to match the prop to the video game version. His exact post-processing method isn’t fully explained in the video, but you can use acrylic paint on white filament to achieve a similar effect.

    As you can see at the end of the the video posted below, the Croatian artist and maker becomes ecstatic after successfully testing his 3D printed Thirst Zapper, which fires out a NERF dart at an impressive speed.

    If you’re looking for a fun project that will keep you hydrated and safe beyond the end of days, take a look at Wekster’s YouTube video and start 3D printing this Fallout-themed NERF gun before it’s too late.


    License: The text of „Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own NERF Thirst Zapper Gun From Fallout 4“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own RetroPie Nintendo Switch

    Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own RetroPie Nintendo Switch

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    The Nintendo Switch games console is an undeniable success. But, retailing for a few hundred dollars, its does require a significant chunk of change. Why not build your own for a fraction of the cost instead? Here’s how (disclaimer: the PiSwitch will not play Nintendo Switch games).

    Home hackable gaming has never been more alive, with the likes of RetroPie allowing tech savvy gamers to experience classics from their past on low-cost hardware for relatively little effort.

    Looking to shoehorn this rich seam of fun-filled nostalgia into a contemporary frame, maker Christopher Foote has 3D printed a RetroPie housing that accepts official Nintendo Joy-Con controllers. The end result is a handheld games console that looks like a Nintendo Switch, but plays decades old games.

    Foote calls his device the PiSwitch, and has made all of the parts, processes and instructions available online. Scroll past the jump for a deeper dive and make your own!

    3D Printed PiSwitch — Looks Like a Switch, Plays Like a RetroPie: What do You Need?

    Building a PiSwitch console is a little more involved that your typical printable project, requiring some soldering skills and bundles of patience. Here’s the full parts list:

    Building a 3D Printed PiSwitch RetroPie Games Console


    PiSwitch Nintendo Switch RetroPie

    Foote details the building of the PiSwitch across seven stages (part one being the procurement of the parts). Little of it is particularly difficult, but steady hands are a must as many steps require soldering.

    First up is to solder lengths of wire between the Raspberry Pi 3 and audio jack. And then following this, it’s time to wire up the power board and switch.

    The project includes a PowerBoost 1000C which enables the charging of the PiSwitch’s battery (to current spec giving 2-3 hours run time). Some trimming of legs on the power switch is required, before further wiring between it and the PowerBoost.

    Next up is to bring together the aforementioned pieces, plus the speaker and audio board, again with short lengths of wire. Foote details in his build guide the necessary arrangement. It’s at this point that the exposed PiSwitch can be hooked up to a battery to test all is well and working — an LED on the Pi should light up.


    PiSwitch Nintendo Switch RetroPie

    If the board lights up, then you’re good to continue. At each step of the build Foote recommends hot gluing the freshly soldered connections to secure them and eliminate shorts. In our opinion it makes sense to do this only after you’ve checked everything is working and know no re-soldering is required.

    After 3D printing the case parts, assembly should be a simple case of arranging the boards to align with their corresponding port holes. They can be fixed in place with the various laptop screws Foote recommends in his parts list. The design of the PiSwitch case doesn’t accommodate a hole for the headphone jack as is, so one will need to be drilled — between the Raspberry Pi 3 and PowerBoost.

    The penultimate stage of the PiSwitch build is to attach the screen, which Foote cautions against accidentally placing upside down in his guide. When correctly oriented, the screen will line up with the case.

    Finally, the last step to Switch-sized RetroPie goodness is to build the Pi software image. Before following Foote’s instructions specific to this project, you’ll need to visit the RetroPie GitHub and follow the installation instructions there.

    With that done, you can then follow along and set up the Joy-Con controllers and get to the device’s first boot.

    If this sounds like the sort of thing you’d happily spend a weekend doing, head on over the Foote’s Instructables post for the full guide in more detail.

    Of course, you could always just buy a Switch instead. Just sayin’…

    Source: Gizmodo

    Website: LINK

  • Weekend Project: 3D Printed Harry Potter Spectrespecs with LED Lights

    Weekend Project: 3D Printed Harry Potter Spectrespecs with LED Lights

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Eight-year-old maker Purple Oranji turns Adafruit NeoPixel goggles into a pair of 3D printed Spectrespecs, the zany light-up shades featured in the Harry Potter movies. This weekend project is the perfect way to show your kids that a 3D printer is just as extraordinary as a magic wand. 

    When author J.K. Rowling first introduced Harry Potter and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to world in 1997, she enticed us into an otherworldly and magical universe like no other.

    For over a decade, both the books and movie adaptations have sparked the imagination of an entire generation. It might not be as powerful as a magic wand, but 3D printing technology has also revved up the creative horsepower in makers of all ages.

    In fact, one eight-year-old maker and self-proclaimed “Harry Potter superfan”, known on YouTube as Purple Oranji, recently used 3D printing to create her own pair of owl-like Spectrespecs. These hypnotic glasses–worn by Luna Lovegood on a train ride to Hogwarts– can be replicated with 3D printing and LEDs.

    This weekend project is actually an extension of Adafruit’s Trinket-Powered NeoPixel Goggle Kit Pack. You’ll need to assemble this kit before heading to King’s Cross Platform 9¾ to build your new 3D printed Spectrespecs.


    3D Printed Harry Potter Spectrespecs: What Do You Need?

    To create the 3D printed Spectrespecs, you’ll need a few tools besides your 3D printer, most of which can be ordered directly from Adafruit or sourced from Amazon. Here’s the grocery list for this week’s Weekend Project:

    3D Printed Harry Potter Spectrespecs: Putting It All Together

    The assembly for the 3D printed Spectrespecs are laid out in a YouTube video by the young maker. Before starting, you’ll need to build the Trinket-Powered NeoPixel Goggle Kit Pack from Adafruit. Purple Oranji already had a pair built from a previous project, and shows us how to transform them in the quick and easy instructional video.

    First, you’ll cut out circular inserts from cardboard and smooth plastic for the rear lenses. The plastic material ensures that the window tint is applied smoothly. You’ll also need a 13-14 cm strip of LEDs. The larger the number LEDs on the strip, the better the effect will be.

    The young maker speaks like a seasoned expert, warning viewers to solder on the right side, as the data signal for the LEDs are directional. She even shares a diagram of her wiring connection in the video.


    Purple Oranji modifies the NeoPixel strip to be red in one eye and blue in another, matching the style depicted in the Harry Potter film. The backing cardboard is inserted into each eye, followed by the tinted plastic lens.

    The LEDs are mounted next, with the wiring running across the bridge of the goggles. Finally, the one-way mirror tint lenses with the mirror facing inside, and you’re finally ready to 3D print.

    With help from her father, Purple Oranji designed the wing-like frames of the Spectrespecs. After the 3D printing process is complete, the frames were dipped in hot water to soften the PLA, allowing her to reshape the winged tips.


    These 3D printed Spectrespecs make for a tremendous addition to your Harry Potter cosplay collection. On top of that, watching this young maker in action will inspire the kids–or even yourself– to unleash your maker magic.

    Wach Purple Oranji’s terrific build video below, and get ready to have your printer chanting the Wingardium Leviosa spell throughout the weekend.

    Website: LINK

  • Weekend Project: A $20 DIY Heated DryBox for 3D Printing Filament Storage

    Weekend Project: A $20 DIY Heated DryBox for 3D Printing Filament Storage

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Want to keep your filament in tip-top shape? Engineer and 3D printing enthusiast RichRap shows us how to create DIY Heated DryBox for 3D Printing filament for under $20.  

    No matter how finely tuned your 3D printer is, the quality of your prints are highly dependent on the state of the filament you’re feeding through the extruder. Some 3D printing materials are highly susceptible to moisture in the air, which can result in poor quality prints. Before printing, these spoiled filaments need to be kept in an airtight container with desiccant and dried out in the oven.

    On today’s Weekend Project, we’re sharing the DIY Heated DryBox created by engineer and renowned 3D printing enthusiast RichRap. Not only does this contraption keep your filament properly stored, it also has the capacity to actively heat the material while printing. More importantly, the entire project shouldn’t cost you anymore than $20 – $30, depending on where you source your materials.

    Let’s dig a bit deeper into what you’ll need to build a DIY Heated DryBox.


    DIY Heated DryBox: What Do You Need?

    There is some 3D printing involved in the assembly of the DIY Heated DryBox. But it also requires some other inexpensive parts. Here’s what you need:


    DIY Heated DryBox: Putting it all Together

    The first thing you’ll need is a plastic storage box that holds at least 11 liters and has a lid. You can likely find one at your local hardware store or on Amazon. It’s important that the height of the box is tall enough to fit an upright spool of filament, but the lid doesn’t have to be completely sealable.

    RichRap also suggests using a Reptile Heating Mat as the heating element for the DIY Heated DryBox. He was initially inspired to create this solution after a trip to E3D, a UK producer of high-end 3D printing accessories. While visiting, he saw the company was storing its exotic and nylon materials in a plastic box that had this type of heater laid on top of it.

    The temperature and humidity sensor is stored within a 3D printed housing. The heating element slides into the 3D printed base, and will rest underneath the filament to keep the environment toasty. You’ll also have to 3D print a spool. All of these files are freely available on Thingiverse or Youmagine.


    Finally, two cable connectors are inserted in the front, allowing two different filaments to exit through tubing directly to the printer. Another cable connector is mounted in the back for the power cable of the heating element.

    This project requires a bit of hands-on work, but the results that RichRap achieves without breaking the bank are truly impressive. While filament storage solutions like the Polybox are readily available, the DIY Heated DryBox is more versatile and costs a fraction of the price to create. On top of that, you get that sense of accomplishment that comes with completing any useful DIY project.

    Learn more about the components on RichRap’s blog, and check out the video below to see the entire assembly process in action.

    Website: LINK

  • Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own Mechanical Laser Show!

    Weekend Project: 3D Print Your Own Mechanical Laser Show!

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Looking for a weekend DIY project? Check out this awesome 3D printed hand-powered mechanical laser show created by software developer Evan Stanford. 

    Is your 3D printer sitting idle this weekend? Want to find a amusing project to show your friends and family just what this technology is capable of? What better way to seize the day than with a fully 3D printed mechanical laser light show.

    Today’s Weekend Project is the Mechanical Laser Show, a spectacular showcase of the functionality of 3D printed gear mechanisms and 3D design. Created by software developer Evan Stanford, his goal was to use a laser to display a Persistence Of Vision (POV) image. However, he didn’t want to use any electric motors or servos, instead opting to create a hand-powered device with fully 3D printed parts.

    The outcome is an impressive feat in mechanical engineering, one that you can replicate quite easily at home. This project uses a gear mechanism and custom designed cams, which are used to display the laser image. In his visual examples, Stanford creates laser-powered stars, hearts, even the Batman logo on the wall.


    DIY Mechanical Laser Show: What Do You Need?

    Interested in building your own mechanical laser show? Here’s what you need to put this project together:


    DIY Mechanical Laser Show: Putting it all Together

    First things first, you’ll need to 3D print the different parts, all of which are available on Thingiverse. The device itself is comprised of nine components: the front and back plate, gear, crank, bolt, two axels, and two cams, which are interchangeable depending on the image you wish to display.

    The rubber band is used to secure the laser pointer to the 3D printed device. Stanford shares a few different 3D printable cam designs on Thingiverse.

    Stanford describes how the basics of how device works on the project’s Hackaday page:

    “When you turn the input crank, the cams turn at a 5:1 ratio. Every time the cams rotate, the laser traces the path once. Using 2 cams allows the laser to move with 2 degrees of freedom. Basically one actuates in the X axis and one in the Y axis.”


    To design your own image projections, Stanford developed a Go program (available via GitHub) that takes the target path as input and outputs the two cam profiles. This target path uses a series of points that the laser will travel to sequentially. The software developer also shares instructions to ensure that the mechanical variables or optimized to properly display the laser show.

    If you want take on this project, you can find more information on the Hackaday project page. And, if you’re not convinced yet, check out the mesmerizing “Mechanical Laser Show” video below and get inspired. Happy making!

    Website: LINK