05.03.2013
Sepideh Miller
Last night, I went to the Baltimore Node determined to learn how to use the new MakerBot Replicator printer. I sat in front of the machine and read the setup instructions. Then I asked our new president how to use the machine. He said to install ReplicatorG just like the book said. ReplicatorG did absolutely nothing for me and complained “Couldn’t find a port to use!” If anyone knows how to fix this issue on a Mac, please leave some comments.
Fortunately, Jonathan, one of the attendees from Todd’s class last week, magically appeared and said that Todd had told him to install a program called MakerWare. I think that both MakerWare and ReplicatorG take an STL file and slice it so that it can be printed on the Replicator.
Jonathan mentioned that placing a piece of paper on the printing plate helps it preheat faster.
Jonathan printed some Companion Cubes from the game Portal. Then I printed a tetrahedron.
A couple of members from Unallocated Space were visiting, and they had an STL file for a speedometer. I printed the speedometer, and they were kind enough to make a donation to the space.
And that is how I went from Makerbot newbie to Makerbot “expert” in two short hours.
I hope to learn to create my own 3D models to print and learn various tips and tricks to optimize the process.
You can read more about 3D printers in Todd’s article for the Makezine blog.
04.29.2013
mgraham
Our thanks go out to Adafruit, who were kind enough to send us some hackerspace-appropriate skill badges. Come on out and see if you can earn one with your 3D printing skills or your electronics-fu.
04.26.2013
tblatt
Tonight is the grand opening party for the Station North Tool Library, and the grand re-opening for the Node.
In the alley between our spaces, we have the power tool drag racing track set up with foot pedals, and a light system. We’ll be running the 3d printers, playing with a giant slingshot, and having a good time. There’s food, drink, music, and a whole lot more.
We’re here now and the pizza just got here, so come on by!
04.19.2013
Sepideh Miller
Next week is an exciting week for The Node. At Open Hack on Thursday, Todd Blatt will be guiding us in the use of The MakerBot Replicator that we recently purchased.
On Friday at 6:00PM, The Node and The Baltimore Tool Library are both hosting open house events on Oliver St.
On Saturday, representatives from The Node will be participating in various events at Robotfest at the National Electronics Museum in Linthcum, Maryland.
We have a new batch of stickers for all of these events that we just ordered from Fat Rat Press. Fat Rat Press was easy to work with and responsive to our novice questions. They will give you a ten percent discount on your order if you mention my name when ordering stickers for your own purposes.
Here is a picture of one of The Node sticker models.
04.18.2013
tblatt
Come out at 7:00pm, Thursday, April 25th for an introduction to using a 3d printer. Node member Todd Blatt of Custom 3d Stuff will do a live 3d printing demo, show you how to operate the MakerBot Replicator to turn a 3d CAD file into a real object. Want answers to these questions and more?! He’s got ‘em!
- How does 3d printing work, anyway?
- Do I really have to build a kit to use a 3d printer?
- How much does it cost to 3d print something?
- I heard about a 3d scanner, is it real? How do they work?
- What is the future of 3d printing?
- What type of resolution do you get from a 3d printer?
- Can you 3d print food?
- What materials can I use?
- What modeling software should I use for this project?
- Why is 3d printing such a big deal, anyway?
- Can you download things other people made?
- Can I actually print a working gun?
- I have a 3d file ready, now what?
- Do you have to be an engineer to use one of these?
Baltimore Node’s Open Hack night is open to the public for free, and other things will be going on during the workshop. Baltimore Node members can attend this workshop at no charge, and a $3 donation is suggested for nonmembers who wish to attend the lecture. If you plan on coming to The More You Node: 3d Printing, then please rsvp to open hack for the evening.
You can also use this opportunity to check out the Node’s new space at 403 E. Oliver Street. The grand opening party is the following night, a party put on by the Node, the Tool Library which is also having their grand opening that evening right next door. Check out the Tool Library’s Facebook event for more details.
03.08.2013
Sepideh Miller
Since our annual meeting, there has been a lot of progress on the Oliver St space. The space consists of three rooms. The first room is carpeted, and the second and third room were filled with woodworking equipment. The pictures from the first post on the space were all taken in the carpeted room. Now that the second and third room have been cleared out, the space looks much bigger than it initially appeared.
The internet connection is set up thanks to Believe Wireless and Maze who waited patiently and pulled many wires.
The bathroom looks beautiful thanks to numerous members involved in remodeling it.
There is still a considerable amount of cleaning to do before the big move on Saturday, March 16. Most of the cleaning involves saw dust, but a good scrubbing would not hurt the utility sink.
02.20.2013
mgraham
The Digital Harbor foundation STEM Core Challenge is a competition which celebrates the Engineering Design skills of Baltimore high school students. Six teams have participated to learn the basics of digital fabrication and the Engineering Design Process. Their challenge was to create a wearable product, that is worn or used as an accessory.
The teams will be presenting their products at 6:00 at the Digital Harbor Foundation Tech Center (doors open at 5:30pm). The public is encouraged to attend. RSVP and get the address here.
02.18.2013
Sepideh Miller
On Saturday, the Baltimore Node members gathered at the new space located at 403 E. Oliver St. for the annual meeting to change the bylaws and elect new officers.
Mark, our former president, read his notes carefully as he guided us through the process of revising the rules around voting and the election of new officers.
Mark was sad to receive a half eaten cookie as a reward for his dedicated leadership.
Jessica, seen on the far left in the photo above, was voted in as a new member during this meeting.
The new officers include Mike Graham as president, Hasdai Westbrook as vice president, Kevin Ladenheim as treasurer, and Wes Filardo as secretary.
Some members show great enthusiasm about the new officers.
There is a lot of work to do to clean up the new space and move out of the old space, but we hope to start having regular meetings soon.
11.26.2012
mgraham
Baltimore Hackerspace (formerly Hartford Hackerspace) has generously agreed to host our OpenHack this Thursday 11/29. We will be meeting at 7:30 at 6410 Landay Ave. Baltimore, MD 21237
http://baltimorehackerspace.com/
11.12.2012
mgraham
Baltimore’s newest hackerspace (and first biohackerspace) BUGSS has agreed to host our OpenHack this week! Come on out to check out their new space and to hack with the Node.
We will be meeting at 7:30 in Suite 105, 101 North Haven Street, Baltimore, MD (The North is important if you’re using GPS). There is a keypad in front of the gate, and we will need to key in “105″ then hit the green bell button so they can let us in. There’s a parking lot right there; there should be no problem parkings. BUGSS’s number is 410-732-0929.
http://www.bugssonline.org
