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It seems that you can build anything with LEGO, this LEGO Pan Tilt System built by James Catan sure demonstrates that. Sure this could have been built from metal brackets held together with nuts and bolts but it would take 10 times as long and be just as functional. I am now wondering if I need to add a box of LEGO to my workshop? Watch the first video to see the LEGO rig in action and watch the second video to see the type of results you can expect.
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If you like to get woken up with a bang this Bomb Clock is for you! Watch the video below to see what happens when you don’t defuse it correctly. This will be available as a kit soon, I can just imagine the hack to come which includes a small fire cracker to signal a failure to defuse the clock. Via: Electronics Lab “The Defusable Clock is a fully-functional alarm clock just like you’d expect (a normal beeping alarm, snooze alarm, etc.). But at any time you can press the big red button to start a scary countdown sequence exactly like bombs in Hollywood movies. There are 4 wires across the top of the clock. You have 10 seconds to choose the correct wire to cut: one wire stops the countdown and saves the day, two have no effect, and one will “detonate” the device immediately. These role of each wire is randomly assigned when the detonate button is pressed, so it’s a new challenge every time. Also, the wires are attached with screw terminals, so you can replace them easily.”
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Will this new IBM/3M super adhesive revolutionize the computer CPU as we know it? We have been hearing that the silicon technology in our modern day processors is nearing the edge of size reduction. Just like growing the chip die to add additional CPUs this new idea allows the addition of processors but without the increase of the die footprint by stacking them! One can only imagine how the connections between layers can be aligned with the precision that will be needed. Via: Dvice “Such stacking would allow for dramatically higher levels of integration for information technology and consumer electronics applications. Processors could be tightly packed with memory and networking, for example, into a “brick” of silicon that would create a computer chip 1,000 times faster than today’s fastest microprocessor enabling more powerful smartphones, tablets, computers and gaming devices. The companies’ work can potentially leapfrog today’s current attempts at stacking chips vertically – known as 3D packaging. The joint research tackles some of the thorniest technical issues underlying the industry’s move to true 3D chip forms. For example, new types of adhesives are needed that can efficiently conduct heat through a densely packed stack of chips and away from heat-sensitive components such as logic circuits. “
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The Open 7400 Logic Competition is open and waiting your creative entry. I am not even sure the last time I slid open my drawer that contains my various 7400 chips I did see my TI 7400 yellow data book the other day. The thing I used to love about troubleshooting a circuit built with 7400 parts is that you could easily confirm a bad chip hunch in about 5 seconds by swapping it out. “Judging criteria and categories Entries will be judged for:
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I have built a few speaker enclosures over the years. Mostly sub boxes that are made from square cuts of MDF on the table saw. A bit of handy work with a jigsaw and a drill usually results in a speaker box that is functional but definitely doesn’t look as good as a store bought speaker cabinet. This DIY 2-Way Loudspeaker that Adam McCall built isn’t a budget build since the raw cost of materials is over $900 but if it sounds half as good as it looks it would be a welcome addition to any listening room. “The Ion is a wonderful 2-Way tower loudspeaker that has been designed to produce a very warm and natural sound. It achieves this by using a pair of Audax HM170CO woofer-midranges drivers with a TangBand 25-1372SC tweeter in an TMM configuration and using a 3rd order crossover point at 4000Hz. The Audax HM170CO woofers produce very warm natural tones up through the upper midrange. With the TangBand 25-1372SC tweeter the highs are crystal clear, detailed but far from harsh. The Ion 2-Way TMM Tower Loudspeaker will be a challenging build. The best approach is to take your time and be patient. DON’T get wrapped up in all the super precise dimensions; they are impossible I know, but have been provided for reference.” 
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If you like steampunk you will want to watch the video below where fellow Canadian Robert Shuttleworth from shuttlewerks / ephemera shows us how he builds a webcam from an old electric heater. “Steam punk webcam built from a 1930′s electric heater. Not technically difficult and should cost under $50. Resulting image is old time Alice Through the Looking Glass”
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I have been putting this SilverCloud Real-Time GPS Tracking System by Land Air Sea through some testing over the past few months. Don’t let the tiny package fool you, this small box allows you to track anything in real time. You can do tracking on a computer, smart phone or playback the history logs anytime. The main purpose of the SilverCloud system is for vehicle tracking but you could stick this in on your next near space launch and find your capsule with ease. You just need to make sure the area you want to use the unit has cellular coverage and can receive a GPS signal, that is because the device is essentially a GPS receiver which sends the current location to Land Air Sea every 3 seconds using the cellular network. Thanks to Land Air Sea for sending in the review unit. |
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