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Hack A Day (7 unread)

Building a robot without using a machine shop

Posted: June 24th, 2011, 5:01pm MDT by Mike Szczys

We usually avoid the prospect of buying new tools just for one project. In the long run we’re sure we’d use them again, but sometimes even with that outlook you can’t afford it. Case in point is our life-long-lust for a laser cutter; we just can’t justify the upfront cost but we sure would use [...]
A pick and place machine for under $1k

Posted: June 24th, 2011, 4:01pm MDT by Mike Szczys

Pick and place machines are marvels of modern technology. They the can lift, orient, align and drop tiny electronic components onto a circuit board that is headed for the reflow oven. On an industrial scale they move so fast it’s a blur in front of your eyes, and they use imaging to ensure proper placement. [...]
Keeping tabs on your pets’ busy lives

Posted: June 24th, 2011, 2:24pm MDT by Mike Nathan

[Stephen’s] daughter has a pair of mice she keeps as pets, who happen to be quite active at night. After they kept her awake for an entire evening by running like mad in their treadmill, they were moved from her bedroom. Since they were so active in the treadmill, [Stephen] thought it would be cool [...]
“Zero overhead” Z80 computer focuses on performance

Posted: June 24th, 2011, 11:30am MDT by Mike Nathan

There’s something quite satisfying about building your own computer. Nowadays, constructing your own desktop PC is relatively easy, so if you really want to get your hands dirty, you have to take a step back in time and give some vintage hardware a spin. [YT2095] has spent a good portion of the last two months [...]
Automatic Micro-Copter Cameraman

Posted: June 24th, 2011, 9:34am MDT by Jeremy Cook

For those of you that are extreme sports participants, this “MikroKopter” may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. When combined with a helmet mounted camera, this additional view should do a great job of capturing your every trick. This setup attaches a camera to a six-rotor mini helicopter to follow and video the action. [...]
Enhancing simple circuit kits with microcontrollers

Posted: June 24th, 2011, 6:05am MDT by Mike Nathan

[manuka], aka [Stan Swan] is a teacher in New Zealand who enjoys enlightening his students on the wonders of electrical circuits. He primarily uses “snap connector” circuit kits, sold under the BrainBox name in NZ, for his interactive labs as they can be easily manipulated by pupils of all ages. While the kits are great, [...]
Launching model rockets wirelessly

Posted: June 24th, 2011, 5:06am MDT by Brian Benchoff

We love ballistic trajectories and the smell of black powder in the morning, so we’re really interested in the wireless rocket launch pad sent in by [Brent Strysko]. [Brent] used an ATmega with an enc28j60 ethernet shield and wireless router to launch the rocket without a physical connection with ‘the button.’ Everything on the launchpad [...]