Blog

Moving things in a line, a linear motion gallery

Submitted by Chris on July 31, 2012

I've been in a linear motion groove for the past few weeks, and I'd like to share the various types of linear motion mechanisms that makers can use in the projects. Basically, linear motion is the act of moving things in a straight line. This is great for a variety of machines ranging from 3-axis CNC mills all the way to the vending machine that serves you lollies and crisps.

Clone DNA with your Arduino

Submitted by Chris on July 28, 2012

Instructables user staceyk documents an open source design for a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine. Basically, PCR allows you to amplify and copy strands of DNA, and is used for applications like paternity testing and disease research.

The OpenPCR design features some beautiful laser-cutting as well as an open-source electronic design powered by an Arduino. The full build instructions are available, and it has also spawned a web shop where you can buy OpenPCR as a kit.

Nice work staceyk, and way to go for leading bio-hacking forward!

Universal Translator with Two Raspberry Pi's

Submitted by Chris on July 28, 2012

Maker Will Powell has used two Rasperry Pi's, an iPhone, iPad and a flat screen TV to create a real-time translation tool. It allows two people to have conversations in different languages (in this example, English and Spanish) while running voice-recognition and translation services in real time. Watch out Google!

Fuelling Your Arduino - Why you should use an External Power Breakout

Submitted by Adrian Carter on May 15, 2012


One of the great things about the Arduino platform is that you can get out of the box and start developing straight away - Everything you need is built into the board, just add USB - The on board regulators take care of the rest of those pesky power problems. But all is not what it seems. To get a better understanding let's inspect some Thermal Images. Read on after the jump.

A look at the DSO Quad

Submitted by Adrian Carter on April 03, 2012


Originally released in April 2011 as an open source project, time has been kind to this device. Many of the early shortcomings of the firmware have now been ironed out by the community along with several different firmware streams to choose from making this much more usable and attractive to the hobbyist than in the past. So let's take a closer look at it.