Maker BLOG
3D Printed Healthcare Solutions
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare system is facing a shortage of necessary PPE equipment and a potential future shortage of ventilators to treat severe cases. Incredibly, we’ve seen people from all walks of life – engineering, medicine, hobbyists – all come together to create some incredible solutions to these issues. We especially love seeing all of the solutions that involve 3D Printing for the local manufacturing of needed equipment. We wanted to compile a list of all of the incredible new projects we’ve seen in case there is a need locally to you that you’re able to help with. We’ll continue to update this list as new projects are created. If we’ve missed something worthwhile, please let us know and we’ll get it added! If you’re wanting to help, we recommend assessing the need in your own communities before you choose where to start. According to the doctors we’ve spoken with, the best way to figure out the biggest needs in your area would be to contact your state’s health department (list here) or to contact the head of the ICU at your local hospital. Hands-Free Door OpenersThese hands-free door openers are a great universal application
20 STEM Activities for Kids Round-Up
At MakerMade, we know the importance of kids being involved in STEM activities (science, technology, engineering, and math). It promotes creativity, resiliency, and a love of learning in children as well as prepares them for the future workforce. Best of all, they’re fun – so learning feels more like play than a chore. This is exactly why contributing to and encouraging STEAM education in schools and homes is one of our core values as a company. We know that you, like us, have likely found yourself unexpectedly at home with your kids for an extended period of time. Some of us have great schedules in place already and are executing Pinterest worthy lessons and activities with our kids. Some of our kids are surviving on TV and Cheeto puffs dipped in ranch, while most of us are somewhere in between. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, we hope that you’ll find this round-up of fun STEAM activities for kids useful and we hope it encourages some fun, learning, and connection in your family during the quarantine and beyond! Let us know what you try in the comments below! 1. CLOUD IN A JAR Teach kids about cloud formation
Christmas Display with Maslow CNC + 3DPrinter
Today we’ve got our next Maker Feature with Jamie from sharpsburg_woodworker on the Maslow forum. Tell us about how you use your Maslow: I went out to my shop one day and decided to design and cut out Christmas Yard Art Decorations. The project included drawing out the character on a sheet of plywood and then cutting the outline. I quickly discovered that I can’t draw, paint or cut a curved line. I wasn’t able to get a perfect cut on the project and it was difficult to draw the character. I saw Maslow CNC and instantly fell in love with this machine. I started saving money over 6 months and bought my CNC in the second batch. I quickly learned makercam and inkscape. I also learned onshape to help other creators on their projects. I have a serious love for Christmas and host a full light show that is synchronized to music. I am fully invested in using my Maslow CNC for cutting out characters to fill up my whole yard. I use my marker holder to draw out the inner lines of a character and then switch to the router to cut the characters. My family all get
3D Printer In-Depth Overview with Jacob
We’ve been so excited about getting our 3D printer out to you all and knew you’d have a LOT of questions about our set up. Jacob has been more seriously designing and testing high-temperature printers for the last 3 years to include liquid-cooled hotends, steppers, boards, >400C hotends, heated chambers, and the like. He currently owns 5 off the shelf printers from various manufacturers and typically has 2-3 printers in various states of functionality to test ideas and new products. We sent a model to Jacob to test for us he gave us a great rundown on the details of the machine and his thoughts. You can read his detailed overview below! Finally, some free time to talk about the Maker Made maker300 3d printer. I have a pre-production machine, and am very much into the 3d printing ‘scene’ and happy to answer any questions. I have gone through every inch of the machine, so let’s start with what’s included Packaging The printer came very well packaged. My delivery driver is Ace Ventura and despite his attempts, everything inside the box was in mint condition. Included was 200G of PLA, enough to get some prints done and ensure everything’s working
Maker Feature – Jeff McLeid
Today’s Maker Feature is about Jeff from Twisted Scenic. We’ve heard from Jeff before when he shared about his Bonnaroo sign build. Today, we get a look behind the scenes to hear more about his personal maker story and background. Q: Tell us a little about your background as a Maker. A few years ago I was a “flying director” for a performer flying FX company. My job was to build the fly systems, rig it to the building, and choreograph the flights. I mainly did musicals such as Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Willy Wonka, etc. While onsite in Seoul, South Korea, I suffered an injury that forever changed my life. I developed a neurological disease called CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) in my dominate shoulder, arm, and hand. My brain fires to my pain receptors 24 hours a day, telling it that I’m in a level 6-8 pain. CRPS is one of the, if not the, most painful chronic pain ailments and there’s never a true moment of relief, and no cure. With that being said, I had to find a way to still maintain being creative and finding something financially lucrative. I started a
Maker Feature – Tim Sway
For this next Maker Feature we’re interviewing Tim Sway. If you’re not familiar with Tim, he’s the master of making instruments (guitars mostly) and other fun projects from reclaimed materials. We were SO excited to have him join our community when he purchased his Maslow earlier this year and have loved seeing his projects using his set up. Q: How did you get into designing and building with CNC? A: 5 years ago I had no interest in learning CNC but I forced myself to so I could teach my son and keep his learning current. I am now hooked and realize my disinterest was fear of trying something new and failing. Q: Do you use your machine for business or as a hobby? A: I run a small business and the Maslow will give me capabilities to make larger cnc projects, signs, etc., that I couldn’t do before. Q: What was your first project? A: A honeycomb pattern, folding privacy screen made from reclaimed hollow closet door skins and rice paper. (You can see Tim’s full walkthrough of this project and Maslow review on his YouTube Channel) Q: What was the biggest struggle you had
