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Thanks to Astia for sending in this LED backlight project, I think this is the perfect way to add a festive touch to your computer system. "The whole project consists of architectural strip RGB controlled LED’s … After several meters of the strip LED’s were received as a gift, along with a 12v DC power supply, a colour changing solution was needed to control the strip. After some dabbling to figure out how the circuit on the strip was laid out, it was off to Jaycar electronics for bits and pieces… The strip itself is wired so the three colours (red, green and blue) share a common positive off the power supply, and the negative split across the three. The voltage that is applied to the negative controls how bright that particular LED will be, hence the colour mixing. And thus, a controller box was designed and built. The box consists of three toggle switches, which control each colour, or more specifically, the negative to each LED. As a result, colour mixing can be achieved by flicking combinations of various switches. The next thought was the practical application of the strips. During the testing phase, a strip of 8 LED’s had been stuck to the underside of an LCD monitor, thanks to the adhesive backing, to achieve a neon glow affect. This ended up being the final use, but with several meters of strip lighting the result was significantly more spectacular."
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Rube Goldberg devices are great, this method of remote control reminds me of one of those devices. There sure are better and simpler methods of sending commands from one computer to the next however none would be as crazy as this idea (I mean that in a good way). "This system allows remote control (via the internet) of actuators (motors, etc) at your home. It works by sensing changes in brightness at particular locations on your home computer screen (locations at which the sensors are taped). These changes in brightness are remotely controlled by you via a yahoo messenger webcam video feed between your work computer and your home computer." Via: Hack a Day |
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This DIY Net Gun project must be a blast to play with (pun intended). Not sure if these are used by any modern law enforcement but I think I remember seeing some footage of a commercial version years ago and it did seem to be a good non lethal weapon. I can imagine having some automated units in the back yard that deploy when an intruder is detected. "This net gun is capable of firing a 90 square foot net 15 to 25 feet using 80-100 psi of compressed air. The net is reusable, assuming your prey doesn’t destroy or run off with it. The launcher section is modular and can be removed in case you want to modify it or use a different design. The net gun is similar to many pneumatic launchers, but instead of launching a single projectile, it launches four tractors that pull the net through the air. The tractors are based on the fact that the neck of a standard soda bottle fits very well over the outside of 1/2" PVC pipe."
Thanks Chris. |
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This tiny dog robot kit by G-Robots looks like it will be lots of fun. I can’t find a place in North America that sells it yet though. I have no idea how they got the servo motors to move so fast! Have a look at the first video that was shot by Robot Watch and notice how quickly the servos move to certain positions. The kits looks like it is easy to assemble (the last picture shows all the parts that come in the kit) and the software appears to be quite powerful. "Nine small RS304MD servos (new command TTL/ PWM system) are used for the G-Dog. The G-Dog is a high performance and reasonably-priced four-leg robot coming with Processing Unit and Motion Editor. The G-Dog comes with 9 command-type robot servos and each servo has its own command ID. More servos can be added using a hub and no complex wiring is required. Command-type Control Servo contains a built-in CPU. Since servos receive commands for speed and directions for each movement and operate according to the commands, there is less load on Processer. Built-in Temperature Sensor turns off power when servo temperature becomes too high. Servo operation characteristics can be changed according to preferred speed and torque. All the servos are calibrated and have the same performance."
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If you are looking to impress you can make a cool Planetary Gear Business Card. If that isn’t for you then have a look at this circuit board business card or this metal business card that belongs to the Woz. "Cut from card or bristol and assemble like a sandwich. The middle layer needs to be appreciably thicker than the others; I cut it twice and glued the bits together, but I recommend using thicker paper board. To keep the planetary teeth gears from getting caught up in the window edges, bend the gear teeth down (towards the back layer) slightly before assembly. Glue down the middle (sun) gear only. You can put three or four planetary gears inside. It’s a bit tricky to assemble; a spare pair of hands helps." 
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I am thinking about purchasing a CNC machine in the near future, I thought I would share some of the interesting complex CNC machine videos that I stumbled across. I find it truly amazing the precision of work that these machines can perform! The one I am thinking of getting is of course nothing like the ones in the videos… |
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If you have a Asus EEE PC and wish it had a touchscreen you are in luck! For about $50 you can install one. "what your going to need. 7" USB Plug-n-Play Touch Screen Digitizer for Asus Eee PC 701 UMPC Laptops $37.50usd double sided tape ( to hold the circuit board to the motherboard of the EEE) ~$2aud ( coles / safeway) duck/duct tape to hold wires and screen in place ~ $5aud ( coles/ safeway) oh and you will need a ASUS EEE 701, ( i have seen these go on ebay for as low as $90AUD) windows xp ( had it left over from a pc i started, but you can be creative how you get it) free to ~$150" |
There was a computer show years ago that transmitted data in the top corner of the screen during the show, a suction cup sensor on the screen was used to retrieve the data. Who remembers what that show was called?
