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The prize this week is a clamp meter, it will let you go green by spying on you power consumption with ease. One hint, this item has been featured on Hacked Gadgets in the past so with a little looking you are guaranteed to find it. This contest will run for one week (Oct 11 - Oct 16, 2008) . Ending time is based on central standard time. To enter, identify the item pictured above and give an example of what can be done with it. Please do not give the answer in the comments.
Send an email to contest @ hackedgadgets.com with "Name the Thing Contest" as the subject, and the message body consisting of:
The winner will be chosen at random from all of the correct entries.
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I could use this unit that Kevin Timmerman designed! I have the same digital caliper that he designed the serial interface for. "The caliper sends a burst of data approximately three times each second. Each burst contains 48 bits of data as shown in timing.pdf. The first 24 bits are the position relative to the zero point set on the caliper. The second 24 bits are the position relative to an arbitrary zero that does not change. This is sort of an absolute position, but the zero point changes each time the caliper loses power. Each 24 bit value is in ones compliment form (1 sign bit, 23 data bits). This allows for a 0 and a -0. The unit of measure is 1/20480th of an inch. The caliper is normally powered by a small 1.55 volt battery. The positive of the battery is connected to the metal parts of the caliper making it positive ground. The logic levels are -1.55 volts low and 0 volts high. The clock and data signals from the caliper are AC coupled by C1 and C2. The AC coupling effectively moves the logic levels above ground so they can be easily converted to standard CMOS logic levels (0 and +5 volts). Three gates of IC1 are used as a 3.3x linear amplifier. The amplifier is driven to saturation by the low logic levels from the caliper. The data and clock signals are then sent to the 12C509 microcontroller."
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Thomas Pfeifer had over 4000 slides that he wanted to convert to digital pictures. This would be a very time consuming task to do manually. Thomas used a AVR Microcontroller and some servos to automate the process, now all he needs to do is load in the slides and let automation take over. Translated version "Since there appears to be no opportunity to electronically trigger the F30, a model servo mounted on the camera. This mechanically actuated the shutter. So that the shutter is not damaged, was sent to the servo-arm a small piece attached."
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The results of this 3D Scanner look very impressive considering it was built with some simple hardware. "3d scanner implementation:
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Keep October 15th open, the first episode of a new Discovery Channel show called Prototype This will air. This looks to be a great show that will show us the inner workings of some very cool projects. Doesn’t look like any of the ideas will be simplistic. I think the show will spark creativity in many of us as they delve into their inner thoughts. This video seems to be a sneak peak into episode number 2 where they look into image tracking, I can think of tons of cool applications for this technology. You may recognize one of the cast members, none other than Joe Grand is a part of the show. You may remember Joe as the Defcon 16 badge creator. I hope they keep with the open /hacker theme of the show and provide code and design details of their creations. "In a warehouse on an island in San Francisco Bay, a team of engineers and PhD’s are inventing the future one prototype at a time. From finding solutions to today’s problems, to conceiving cool machines that are just fun to have around, the Prototype This crew imagines and then invents the future by using emerging technologies to build the craziest, one-of-a-kind prototypes of tomorrow." |
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Woody sure knows how to have fun during Halloween! This Halloween Pumpkin is sure to put the fear into some of the trick or treaters who dare come for candy at Woddy’s house. Since Woody is a control electrician he is using some expensive gear to control his creations but the same effect could be done on a tiny budget with some hobby electronics. "Most of my haunt is controlled by a Allen Bradly SLC 5/04. My sound is controlled from Digital Sound Repeaters, Mp3 players, and a computer 8 channel sound card.I use stand alone controllers like Prop-1,A/B pico,and VSA software. I’ve just started to teach my self mold making and sculpting. If anyone has questions or needs a little help with making your own animatronics just ask." 
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The Prop Master shows us how this cool Automated Halloween Coffin works. The coffin was made some plywood that was painted black, a skeleton of PVC pipe, a Halloween mask, an old suit and a sprinkler valve. Notice how the PVC has slip point that allow the system to pivot to raise a portion of the skeleton. There are also a few non-essentials that were added to enhance the scare effect, some speakers and a sound chip allow for some spooky zombie voices and the red flood light illuminates the zombie as he raises. Watch the video below to see how sit up fast the action is! Check out more of the Prop Masters work here.
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