Just like the garage computer explosion of the 70’s through the 80’s, which brought us such things as Apple, pong, Bill Gate’s hair, and the proliferation of personal computers, the maker movement is the new garage hardware explosion. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement.
Enthusiasts who want to build the products they want, from shortwave radios to personal computers, and to tweak products they’ve bought to make them even better, have long been a part of the electronics industry. By all measures, garage-style innovation remains alive and well today, as “makers” as they are called continue to turn out contemporary gadgets, including 3D printers, drones, and embedded electronics devices.
Making is about individual Do-It-Yourselfers being able to design and create with tools that were, as of a decade or two ago, only available to large, cash-rich corporations: CAD tools, CNC mills, 3D printers, low-quantity PCB manufacturing, open hardware such as Arduinos and similar inexpensive development boards – all items that have made it easier and relatively cheap to make whatever we imagine. For individuals, maker tools can change how someone views their home or their hobbies. The world is ours to make. Humans are genetically wired to be makers. The maker movement is simply the result of making powerful building and communication tools accessible to the masses. There are plenty of projects from makers that show good engineering: Take this Arduino board with tremendous potential, developed by a young maker, as example.
The maker movement is a catalyst to democratize entrepreneurship as these do-it-yourself electronics are proving to be hot sellers: In the past year, unit sales for 3D printing related products; Arduino units, parts and supplies; Raspberry Pi boards; drones and quadcopters; and robotics goods are all on a growth curve in terms of eBay sales. There are many Kickstarter maker projects going on. The Pebble E-Paper Watch raises $10 million. The LIFX smartphone-controlled LED bulb raises $1.3 million. What do these products have in common? They both secured funding through Kickstarter, a crowd-funding website that is changing the game for entrepreneurs. Both products were created by makers who seek to commercialize their inventions. These “startup makers” iterate on prototypes with high-end tools at professional makerspaces.
For companies to remain competitive, they need to embrace the maker movement or leave themselves open for disruption. Researchers found that 96 percent of business leaders believe new technologies have forever changed the rules of business by democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations. - You’ve got to figure out agile innovation. Maybe history is repeating itself as the types of products being sold reminded us of the computer tinkering that used to be happening in the 1970s to 1990s – similar in terms of demographics, tending to be young people, and low budget. Now the do-it-yourself category is deeply intertwined with the electronics industry. Open hardware is in the center in maker movement – we need open hardware designs! How can you publish your designs and still do business with it? Open source ecosystem markets behave differently and therefore require a very different playbook than traditional tech company: the differentiation is not in the technology you build; it is in the process and expertise that you slowly amass over an extended period of time.
By democratizing the product development process, helping these developments get to market, and transforming the way we educate the next generation of innovators, we will usher in the next industrial revolution. The world is ours to make. Earlier the PC created a new generation of software developers who could innovate in the digital world without the limitations of the physical world (virtually no marginal cost, software has become the great equalizer for innovation. Now advances in 3D printing and low-cost microcontrollers as well as the ubiquity of advanced sensors are enabling makers to bridge software with the physical world. Furthermore, the proliferation of wireless connectivity and cloud computing is helping makers contribute to the Internet of Things (IoT). We’re even beginning to see maker designs and devices entering those markets once thought to be off-limits, like medical.
Image source: The world is ours to make: The impact of the maker movement – EDN Magazine
In fact, many parents have engaged in the maker movement with their kids because they know that the education system is not adequately preparing their children for the 21st century. There is a strong movement to spread this DIY idea widely. The Maker Faire, which launched in the Bay Area in California in 2006, underlined the popularity of the movement by drawing a record 215,000 people combined in the Bay Area and New York events in 2014. There’s Maker Media, MakerCon, MakerShed, Make: magazine and 131 Maker Faire events that take place throughout the world. Now the founders of all these Makers want a way to connect what they refer to as the “maker movement” online. So Maker Media created a social network called MakerSpace, a Facebook-like social network that connects participants of Maker Faire in one online community. The new site will allow participants of the event to display their work online. There are many other similar sites that allow yout to present yout work fron Hackaday to your own blog. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement—although makers can be found everywhere in the world.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Build a High Power Amplifier using 20X Sanken Transistors with 20A Toroidal Transformer #cbzproject
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFFTJqWpew
Hi friends, in this video I am trying to make a high-power power amplifier.
This amplifier consists of 2 channels (stereo), each channel uses 5 pairs of final transistors (2SC3858 & 2SA1494). For the power supply I use a 20A toroidal transformer with a main voltage of 55V CT 55V and 8 pieces 10000uF/80V capacitor. The cost of making this amplifier is about $240.
Tomi Engdahl says:
OpenDendrometer
a health monitor for trees and fruit
https://hackaday.io/project/185224-opendendrometer
OpenDendrometer can help answer questions such as:
Is a tree experiencing water stress?
Has fruit or vegetable growth rate slowed?
What are the long term growth behaviors of trees in a specific region, of a specific species, …?
A dendrometer is an instrument used to measure diameter changes of trees and fruit. Small micrometer changes in diameter occur in trees and fruit throughout the day as part of healthy water transport processes. Comparisons of these daily diameter changes can help predict the onset and occurrence of water stress. Diameter measurements collected over weeks and months show the rate and magnitude of plant growth. In particular, weekly diameter growth data can be analyzed to understand if fruit growth rate is tracking well for harvest.
The OpenDendrometer is a low-cost digital dendrometer with wireless data transfer capabilities. In simplest terms, it is device that measures, logs, and wirelessly reports changes in linear displacement. It uses commonly available electronics components and fabrication techniques to ensure that others can easily build their own OpenDendrometer. All design files and information will be made freely available after completion of the first proof-of-concept prototype.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Autonomous Research Laboratories
https://hackaday.io/project/186289-autonomous-research-laboratories
A self-driving (autonomous) laboratory optics demo using dimmable LEDs and a spectrophotometer. <$100, <1sq.ft, <1 hr setup.
Tomi Engdahl says:
BW16 Stamp – Tiny 5GHz WiFi MCU
Super compact functional 5G Hz WiFi MCU in stamp size with power circuit, work out of the box
https://hackaday.io/project/183644-bw16-stamp-tiny-5ghz-wifi-mcu
Tomi Engdahl says:
Smartphone SSH Remote Terminal
https://hackaday.io/project/186822-smartphone-ssh-remote-terminal
When you absolutely, positively, immediately, need a terminal to connect to your remote workstation via SSH.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Project Boondock Echo
https://hackaday.io/project/186791-project-boondock-echo
Remote Radio Message Recording, Queueing, and Transmission (for Emergency Communications)
Tomi Engdahl says:
Circuit-less PCB Featured As Faceplate For A Digital Clock
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/17/circuit-less-pcb-featured-as-faceplate-for-a-digital-clock/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/18/a-particularly-polished-atx-bench-power-supply/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/18/esp8266-smart-vents-keep-tabs-on-home-temps/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/170365-blueretro
BlueRetro is a multiplayer Bluetooth controllers adapter for various retro game consoles. Lost or broken controllers? Reproduction too expensive? Need those rare and obscure accessories? Just use the Bluetooth devices you already got! The project is open source hardware & software under the CERN-OHL-P-2.0 & Apache-2.0 licenses respectively. It’s built for the popular ESP32 chip. All processing for Bluetooth and HID input decoding is done on the first core which makes it easy for other projects to use the Bluetooth stack within their own project by using the 2nd core. Wii, Switch, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S & generic HID Bluetooth (BR/EDR & LE) devices are supported. Parallel 1P (NeoGeo, Supergun, JAMMA, etc), Parallel 2P (Atari 2600/7800, Master System, etc), NES, PCE / TG16, Mega Drive / Genesis, SNES, CD-i, 3DO, Jaguar, Saturn, PSX, PC-FX, JVS (Arcade), Virtual Boy, N64, Dreamcast, PS2 & GameCube are supported with simultaneous 4+ players using
Tomi Engdahl says:
DeepDeck: an OpenSoruce Macropad like no other!
https://hackaday.io/project/186857-deepdeck-an-opensoruce-macropad-like-no-other
DeepDeck is a wireless, fully programmable, OpenSource macropad with 16 RGB, mechanical keys, and two rotary encoders with push buttons.
DeepDeck is a wireless, fully programmable, open-source macropad with 16 RGB, mechanical keys, and two rotary encoders with push buttons. It uses the powerful and versatile ESP32 module to connect to your device via Bluetooth, whether that device runs Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, or something else. You can customize DeepDeck to improve your productivity by programming keys, macros, and shortcuts.
DeepDeck Features!
We don’t want DeepDeck to be just another MacroPad. We want it to have SuperPowers and make it different from what you have seen before!
These are some features:
It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and you can even connect it with your phone!
Wireless! connects with your device with Bluetooth, but also has WiFi.
Wifi?.. Wifi! You can program it to connect to APIs and check the weather, your youtube subscribers, or get your daily tasks list from Notion.
No software compatibility issues. DeepDeck does not need a software to be configurated. It works like the modems/routers. It has an internal webpage where you can configure everything. You can do it from your computer. You can do it from your phone!
We are working hard to build a strong community , so every time it has more features and becomes more versatile!
And for the geeky audience, here are more technical features:
Based on ESP32, so Bluetooth and Wifi integrated.
4×4 mechanical keys with hotswaps!
2 RGB LEDs for status.
RGB LEDs on every key.
2 rotary encoders with push buttons, and gestures like double-click and long-press.
128×64 OLED screen
I2C port for future sensor expansion.
Connector for LiPo Battery.
USB C connector.
Embedded settings menu.
Embedded webpage for advanced configurations.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Angled Drill Guide Helps You With Those Tricky Holes’
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/18/angled-drill-guide-helps-you-with-those-tricky-holes/
If you’ve ever tried to drill a hole on an angle with a power drill, you’ve probably drilled some pretty shocking holes. To do it right, you really need some mechanical assistance, and this jig from [Kartik_Nandrui] should do the trick.
The device uses a guide that sits on the surface to be drilled, with a pair of angled connectors that fit two wooden dowels. These connect the guide to a corresponding sleeve that fits around the drill body. The sleeve then slides up and down the dowels, allowing the drill to move in a straight line towards the targeted area.
https://www.instructables.com/3D-Printed-Multi-Angle-Drill-Guide/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/18/the-tools-to-fight-against-single-use-plastic/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Recycling old Laptop into a Standalone Monitor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn3bEEQHVWk
This time I convert an old laptop, I got from a friend, into a proper monitor.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Machine Sewable LED Strips
LED strips for soft circuits, paper circuits and more!
https://hackaday.io/project/186907-machine-sewable-led-strips
Tomi Engdahl says:
Mecanum-Wheeled Robot Chassis Takes Commands From PS4 Controller
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/19/mecanum-wheeled-robot-chassis-takes-commands-from-ps4-controller/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Keycap Shine? No, Shiny Keycaps
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/19/keycap-shine-no-shiny-keycaps/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/19/reverse-engineering-a-smoker/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Livestreaming Backpack Takes Streaming On-The-Go
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/19/livestreaming-backpack-takes-streaming-on-the-go/
Anyone who’s anyone on the internet these days occasionally streams content online. Whether that’s the occasional livestream on YouTube or an every day video game session on Twitch, it’s definitely a trend that’s here to stay. If you want to take your streaming session on the go, though, you’ll need some specialized hardware like [Melissa] built into this livestreaming backpack.
[Melissa] isn’t actually much of a streamer but built this project just to see if it could be done. The backpack hosts a GoPro camera with a USB interface, mounted on one of the straps of the pack with some 3D printed parts, allowing it to act as a webcam. It is plugged into a Raspberry Pi which is set up inside the backpack, and includes a large heat sink to prevent it from overheating in its low-ventilation environment. There’s also a 4G modem included along with a USB battery pack to keep everything powered up.
Building an open source IRL livestreaming backpack
https://codecat.nl/2022/08/irl-backpack/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/20/dream-projects-face-reality/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/20/2022-cyberdeck-contest-extruded-rig-exudes-coolness/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Deepdeck: Going Beyond The Macro Pad
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/20/deepdeck-going-beyond-the-macro-pad/
We’re used to the idea of a macropad, a small extension keyboard for your computer whose keys can be programmed to the functions of your choice. They can be made in many ways, but they all follow a similar functionality. Deepdeck from [Nick Velasquez] is another matter, an attempt to make a macropad with functionality that goes way beyond simply pressing keys.
At its heart is an ESP32 module, and it makes full use of both Bluetooth and wireless networking capabilities.
https://hackaday.io/project/186857-deepdeck-an-opensoruce-macropad-like-no-other
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/20/batteries-get-tiny/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Drastic Plastic: Enclosure Rebuild Uses Donor Material
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/21/drastic-plastic-enclosure-rebuild-uses-donor-material/
Although 3D printers are great, people tend to use them as a universal hammer wherein almost everything becomes a nail that’s just begging to be struck. So as hacker appetites become finicky with the same old fare, it’s refreshing to see an enclosure restoration done in such an old-school fashion. To wit: [Doidão Santos]’ classic repair of the crumbling side fairings on a vintage amplifier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qd6TUwBcUQ
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/22/is-this-the-oldest-open-source-hvac-project-in-existence/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/22/small-combat-robots-pack-a-punch-in-antweight-division/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/22/make-multi-material-resin-prints-with-a-syringe-and-a-bit-of-patience/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/23/knife-throwing-machine-gets-the-spin-just-right/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/22/a-brief-history-of-drywall-or-how-drywall-came-to-dominate-the-world-of-construction/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why Didn’t We Think Of Making A Remote Trigger Button?
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/21/why-didnt-we-think-of-making-a-remote-trigger-button/
One of the many functions a digital oscilloscope offers over its analog ancestors is a trigger button. Alongside the usual electronic means of triggering the instrument, you can reach over and press a button to “freeze-frame” the action and preserve the trace. Sometimes doing it repeatedly it can become a chore to reach for the ‘scope. That’s where [Kevin Santo Cappuccio]’s remote trigger button comes in.
The button itself is about as simple a hack as it gets. The ‘scope was carefully dissected and some fine wires laid from the contacts within the front panel to a connector on the case. From there a cable goes to a box with a momentary action button switch. Plug in the box, and you can trigger the ‘scope from a distance!
Oscilloscope Remote Trigger Button
https://hackaday.io/project/186868-oscilloscope-remote-trigger-button
I was too lazy to reach the single trigger button on my oscilloscope, but not too lazy to take it apart.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Hacky Automatic Camera Slider Using No Motors
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/24/a-hacky-automatic-camera-slider-using-no-motors/
Camera sliders are a great way to get smooth, continuous panning shots. You can buy off the shelf or build yourself a motorized model pretty easily these days. However, [Shivam Dehinwal] came up with a hack that’s even simpler again.
The design uses a 3D-printed base which mounts the camera on top. Four wheels are installed underneath to allow the base to roll on smooth surfaces.
Slidee: Non-motorized Automatic Camera Slider
https://www.instructables.com/Slidee-Non-motorized-Automatic-Camera-Slider/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/24/skarper-e-bike-conversion-kit-simplifies-electrifying-your-bike/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Telephoto Lens Without The Fiscal Pain
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/24/telephoto-lens-without-the-fiscal-pain/
If you’re in the market for a telephoto lens, the available range of optics for your camera is limited only by the size of your bank account. So when [Pixels and Prisms] promises a telephoto for $13 USD it has to be worth a second look, right? Where’s the catch.
The lens has a 3D printed shell containing the optics, with associated focusing and aperture, and has a mount designed for Canon cameras to give a result with 163 mm focal length and f/2.5 .
$15 3D-printed Open Source Camera Lens for Canon EF
https://www.pixelsandprisms.com/3d-printed-lens/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/23/flapping-pcb-fan-blows-a-little-bit/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/23/high-speed-rc-car-needs-a-flight-controller/
Tomi Engdahl says:
2022 Hackaday Prize: Plant Monitoring System Grows To Include LoRa
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/23/2022-hackaday-prize-plant-monitoring-system-grows-to-include-lora/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/23/ryobi-battery-hack-keeps-cpap-running-quietly/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/176214-3d-printed-truck
Tomi Engdahl says:
Griddly
https://hackaday.io/project/185177-griddly
Design for Parkinson’s with a Grid and CircuitPython
Tomi Engdahl says:
Budget Mono reference monitor + Continuity Tester project build
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWz9FweyOOM
Tomi Engdahl says:
Parallel EEPROM 28 Pin Shark
https://hackaday.io/project/173990-parallel-eeprom-28-pin-shark
Use a micro controller on the BIOS 28 PIN socket to control the CPU and other devices.
Tomi Engdahl says:
UHF-CB / Air Band Radio headset circuit
https://hackaday.io/project/186797-uhf-cb-air-band-radio-headset-circuit
Attach one headset to listen to both a UHF-CB and an air band radio and to transmit on either.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Steampunk Cyberdeck with eInk display
https://hackaday.io/project/186971-steampunk-cyberdeck-with-eink-display
This is a deck for writing/ coding in my sunroom and generally in direct sunlight, where traditional lcds would be unreadable.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Guide To 3D Printing Model Aircraft Wings
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/26/a-guide-to-3d-printing-model-aircraft-wings/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Water Monitor Measures The Cost Of Your Shower Thinking Time
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/26/water-monitor-measures-the-cost-of-your-shower-thinking-time/
The shower is one of the top thinking places for many of us, but can get a bit out of hand with water wastage and utility bills if you go down a deep rabbit hole. To be more mindful of his water usage in the shower, [GreatScott!] created a power sipping water monitor that lives there.
The device is built around a cheap 1/2″ brass water flow rate sensor connected to his shower hose, which outputs pulses as a small wheel passes an internal hall effect sensor. The datasheet didn’t contain any spec for pulses/volume, so [GreatScott!] had to experimentally determine this by filling a one-liter container with water and counting the pulses. He found that the pulse count per liter was dependent on the flow rate, so he narrowed down the variables and just determined the average count at his shower’s pressure and flow rate.
Every Shower needs this Upgrade! (Saves you Money)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNK92ep8DhY
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dead EPROM Dumped With Help Of Body Diodes
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/26/dead-eeprom-dumped-with-help-of-body-diodes/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/27/a-raspberry-pi-handheld-computer-you-might-want-to-use/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/27/giant-keyboard-is-just-our-type/
Tomi Engdahl says:
LED Clock Uses Micro QR Codes To Show The Time
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/28/led-clock-uses-micro-qr-codes-to-show-the-time/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sleep Posture Monitor Warns You Away From Dangerous Positions
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/28/sleep-posture-monitor-warns-you-away-from-dangerous-positions/