Retro Hardware Plots Again Thanks to Grbl and ESP32
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/retro-hardware-plots-again-thanks-to-grbl-and-esp32/
When it comes to building a new CNC machine, you’ve got a wide world of controller boards to choose from. Whether you’re building a 3D-printer or a CNC plasma cutter, chances are good you’ll find a controller that fits your needs and your budget. Not so much, though, when you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/retro-hardware-plots-again-thanks-to-grbl-and-esp32/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/retro-hardware-plots-again-thanks-to-grbl-and-esp32/
When it comes to building a new CNC machine, you’ve got a wide world of controller boards to choose from. Whether you’re building a 3D-printer or a CNC plasma cutter, chances are good you’ll find a controller that fits your needs and your budget. Not so much, though, when you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/retro-hardware-plots-again-thanks-to-grbl-and-esp32/)
Student-Built Rocket Engine Packs a Punch
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/student-built-rocket-engine-packs-a-punch/
A group of students at Boston University recently made a successful test of a powerful rocket engine intended for 100km suborbital flights. Known as the Iron Lotus (although made out of mild steel rather than iron), this test allowed them to perfect the timing and perfect their engine design (also …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/student-built-rocket-engine-packs-a-punch/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/student-built-rocket-engine-packs-a-punch/
A group of students at Boston University recently made a successful test of a powerful rocket engine intended for 100km suborbital flights. Known as the Iron Lotus (although made out of mild steel rather than iron), this test allowed them to perfect the timing and perfect their engine design (also …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/student-built-rocket-engine-packs-a-punch/)
The Blessings And Destruction Wrought By Lead Over Millennia
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/the-blessings-and-destruction-wrought-by-lead-over-millennia/
Everyone one of us is likely aware of what lead — as in the metal — is. Having a somewhat dull, metallic gray appearance, it occupies atomic number 82 in the periodic table and is among the most dense materials known to humankind. Lead’s low melting point and malleability even …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/the-blessings-and-destruction-wrought-by-lead-over-millennia/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/the-blessings-and-destruction-wrought-by-lead-over-millennia/
Everyone one of us is likely aware of what lead — as in the metal — is. Having a somewhat dull, metallic gray appearance, it occupies atomic number 82 in the periodic table and is among the most dense materials known to humankind. Lead’s low melting point and malleability even …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/the-blessings-and-destruction-wrought-by-lead-over-millennia/)
Hang Ten With Help From the Surf Window
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/hang-ten-with-help-from-the-surf-window/
Unless you live in a special, unique place like Hawaii or Costa Rica it’s unlikely you’ll be able to surf every day. It’s not easy to plan surf sessions or even surf trips to most locations because the weather conditions will need to be just right. Not only the wave …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/hang-ten-with-help-from-the-surf-window/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/hang-ten-with-help-from-the-surf-window/
Unless you live in a special, unique place like Hawaii or Costa Rica it’s unlikely you’ll be able to surf every day. It’s not easy to plan surf sessions or even surf trips to most locations because the weather conditions will need to be just right. Not only the wave …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/hang-ten-with-help-from-the-surf-window/)
How Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Works
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/how-power-over-ethernet-poe-works/
A remote Ethernet device needs two things: power and Ethernet. You might think that this also means two cables, a beefy one to carry the current needed to run the thing, and thin little twisted pairs for the data. But no!
Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows you to transmit power …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/how-power-over-ethernet-poe-works/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/how-power-over-ethernet-poe-works/
A remote Ethernet device needs two things: power and Ethernet. You might think that this also means two cables, a beefy one to carry the current needed to run the thing, and thin little twisted pairs for the data. But no!
Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows you to transmit power …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/how-power-over-ethernet-poe-works/)
Light Emitting Logic Gates Built From Scratch
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/light-emitting-logic-gates-built-from-scratch/
What’s the weirdest computer you can think of? This one’s weirder.
[Dr. Cockroach] figured out a way to create an inverting NOT gate from just one LED and two resistors (one being a photo-resistor). The Dr. has since built AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR and XNOR gates, as well as …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/light-emitting-logic-gates-built-from-scratch/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/light-emitting-logic-gates-built-from-scratch/
What’s the weirdest computer you can think of? This one’s weirder.
[Dr. Cockroach] figured out a way to create an inverting NOT gate from just one LED and two resistors (one being a photo-resistor). The Dr. has since built AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR and XNOR gates, as well as …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/light-emitting-logic-gates-built-from-scratch/)
ESP8266 Unlocks Hidden Features In Sound Bar
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/esp8266-unlocks-hidden-features-in-sound-bar/
It’s no secret that the hardware devices we buy are often more capable than their manufacturer leads on. Features hidden behind firmware locks are a common trick, as it allows companies to sell the same piece of gear as a different model by turning off certain capabilities. Luckily for us, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/esp8266-unlocks-hidden-features-in-sound-bar/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/esp8266-unlocks-hidden-features-in-sound-bar/
It’s no secret that the hardware devices we buy are often more capable than their manufacturer leads on. Features hidden behind firmware locks are a common trick, as it allows companies to sell the same piece of gear as a different model by turning off certain capabilities. Luckily for us, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/esp8266-unlocks-hidden-features-in-sound-bar/)
Wiping Your Windscreen To The Beat
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/wiping-your-windscreen-to-the-beat/
Nothing spoils your mood quite like your windscreen wipers not feeling it when the beat drops. Every major car manufacturer is focused on trying to build the electric self driving vehicle for the masses, yet ignoring this very real problem. Well [Ian Charnas] is taking charge, and has successfully slaved …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/wiping-your-windscreen-to-the-beat/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/wiping-your-windscreen-to-the-beat/
Nothing spoils your mood quite like your windscreen wipers not feeling it when the beat drops. Every major car manufacturer is focused on trying to build the electric self driving vehicle for the masses, yet ignoring this very real problem. Well [Ian Charnas] is taking charge, and has successfully slaved …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/wiping-your-windscreen-to-the-beat/)
Reverse-Engineering Xiaomi IoT Firmware
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/reverse-engineering-xiaomi-iot-firmware/
IoT devices rarely ever just do what they’re advertised. They’ll almost always take up more space than they need to – on top of that, their processor and memory alone should be enough to run a multitude of other tasks while not necessarily compromising the task they were built to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/reverse-engineering-xiaomi-iot-firmware/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/reverse-engineering-xiaomi-iot-firmware/
IoT devices rarely ever just do what they’re advertised. They’ll almost always take up more space than they need to – on top of that, their processor and memory alone should be enough to run a multitude of other tasks while not necessarily compromising the task they were built to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/reverse-engineering-xiaomi-iot-firmware/)
Faux Cow Munches Faux Grass On A Faux Roomba
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/faux-cow-munches-faux-grass-on-a-faux-roomba/
Out in the countryside, having a cow or to wouldn’t be a big deal. You can have a cattle shed full of them, and no one will bat an eyelid. But what if you’re living in the big city and have no need of pet dogs or cats, but a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/faux-cow-munches-faux-grass-on-a-faux-roomba/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/faux-cow-munches-faux-grass-on-a-faux-roomba/
Out in the countryside, having a cow or to wouldn’t be a big deal. You can have a cattle shed full of them, and no one will bat an eyelid. But what if you’re living in the big city and have no need of pet dogs or cats, but a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/24/faux-cow-munches-faux-grass-on-a-faux-roomba/)
A Visual Infrared Thermometer That Runs Off Your Laptop
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/a-visual-infrared-thermometer-that-runs-off-your-laptop/
A common measurement for circuits is heat dissipation inspection. While single point thermometers do the trick, they can be quite annoying to use. Meanwhile, a thermal imaging camera is often out of the budget for hobbyists. How about building your own visual thermometer for cheap? That’s what [Thomas Fischl] decided …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/a-visual-infrared-thermometer-that-runs-off-your-laptop/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/a-visual-infrared-thermometer-that-runs-off-your-laptop/
A common measurement for circuits is heat dissipation inspection. While single point thermometers do the trick, they can be quite annoying to use. Meanwhile, a thermal imaging camera is often out of the budget for hobbyists. How about building your own visual thermometer for cheap? That’s what [Thomas Fischl] decided …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/a-visual-infrared-thermometer-that-runs-off-your-laptop/)
TI-99/4A KSP Controller Has a Handle on Vintage NASA Styling
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/ti-99-4a-ksp-controller-has-a-handle-on-vintage-nasa-styling/
[MelkorsGreatestHits] had an extra USB MAME board burning a hole in his parts bin, so he turned it into fuel for this far-out Kerbal Space Program controller. Cool your jets — no fully-functioning TI-99/4As were harmed in the making of this baby. Besides, this is a KAL 9000 from Kexas …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/ti-99-4a-ksp-controller-has-a-handle-on-vintage-nasa-styling/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/ti-99-4a-ksp-controller-has-a-handle-on-vintage-nasa-styling/
[MelkorsGreatestHits] had an extra USB MAME board burning a hole in his parts bin, so he turned it into fuel for this far-out Kerbal Space Program controller. Cool your jets — no fully-functioning TI-99/4As were harmed in the making of this baby. Besides, this is a KAL 9000 from Kexas …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/ti-99-4a-ksp-controller-has-a-handle-on-vintage-nasa-styling/)
This Week in Security: The Robots are Watching, Insecure VPNs, Graboids, and Biometric Fails
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/this-week-in-security-the-robots-are-watching-insecure-vpns-graboids-and-biometric-fails/
A Japanese hotel chain uses robots for nearly everything. Check in, room access, and most importantly, bedside service. What could possibly go wrong with putting embedded Android devices, complete with mics and cameras, right in every hotel room? While I could imagine bedside robots ending badly in many ways, today …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/this-week-in-security-the-robots-are-watching-insecure-vpns-graboids-and-biometric-fails/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/this-week-in-security-the-robots-are-watching-insecure-vpns-graboids-and-biometric-fails/
A Japanese hotel chain uses robots for nearly everything. Check in, room access, and most importantly, bedside service. What could possibly go wrong with putting embedded Android devices, complete with mics and cameras, right in every hotel room? While I could imagine bedside robots ending badly in many ways, today …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/this-week-in-security-the-robots-are-watching-insecure-vpns-graboids-and-biometric-fails/)
Tiny Cube Hosts a Hearty Tube
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/tiny-cube-hosts-a-hearty-tube/
Tiny PCBAs and glowy VFD tubes are like catnip to a Hackaday writer, so when we saw [hamster]’s TubeCube tube segment driver we had to dig in to learn more. We won’t bury the lede here; let’s enjoy a video of glowing tubes before we go further:
The TubeCube is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/tiny-cube-hosts-a-hearty-tube/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/tiny-cube-hosts-a-hearty-tube/
Tiny PCBAs and glowy VFD tubes are like catnip to a Hackaday writer, so when we saw [hamster]’s TubeCube tube segment driver we had to dig in to learn more. We won’t bury the lede here; let’s enjoy a video of glowing tubes before we go further:
The TubeCube is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/tiny-cube-hosts-a-hearty-tube/)
Hackaday Podcast 041: The “How Not To” Episode of Rebreathers, Chain Sprockets, Hovercraft, and Data Logging
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/hackaday-podcast-041-the-how-not-to-episode-of-rebreathers-chain-sprockets-hovercraft-and-data-logging/
Hackaday Editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams shed some light on a true week of hacks. It seems as though all kinds of projects are doing this the “wrong” way this week and its delightful to see what they learn along the way. Hovercraft can work using the Coandă effect …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/hackaday-podcast-041-the-how-not-to-episode-of-rebreathers-chain-sprockets-hovercraft-and-data-logging/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/hackaday-podcast-041-the-how-not-to-episode-of-rebreathers-chain-sprockets-hovercraft-and-data-logging/
Hackaday Editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams shed some light on a true week of hacks. It seems as though all kinds of projects are doing this the “wrong” way this week and its delightful to see what they learn along the way. Hovercraft can work using the Coandă effect …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/hackaday-podcast-041-the-how-not-to-episode-of-rebreathers-chain-sprockets-hovercraft-and-data-logging/)
Giant LEDs, Ruby Lasers, Hologram Displays, and Other Cool Stuff Seen at Maker Faire Rome
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/giant-leds-ruby-lasers-hologram-displays-and-other-cool-stuff-seen-at-maker-faire-rome/
Hackers from all over Europe descended upon Rome last weekend for the Maker Faire that calls itself the “European Edition”. This three-day event is one of the largest Maker Faires in the world — they had 27,000 school students from all over Italy and Europe attend on Friday alone.
This …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/giant-leds-ruby-lasers-hologram-displays-and-other-cool-stuff-seen-at-maker-faire-rome/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/giant-leds-ruby-lasers-hologram-displays-and-other-cool-stuff-seen-at-maker-faire-rome/
Hackers from all over Europe descended upon Rome last weekend for the Maker Faire that calls itself the “European Edition”. This three-day event is one of the largest Maker Faires in the world — they had 27,000 school students from all over Italy and Europe attend on Friday alone.
This …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/giant-leds-ruby-lasers-hologram-displays-and-other-cool-stuff-seen-at-maker-faire-rome/)
Build Your Own Plasma Ball
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/build-your-own-plasma-ball/
The simple plasma ball – it graces science museums and classrooms all around the world. It shares a place with the Van de Graaf generator, with the convenient addition of spectacular plasma rays that grace it spherical surface. High voltage, aesthetically pleasing, mad science tropes – what would make a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/build-your-own-plasma-ball/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/build-your-own-plasma-ball/
The simple plasma ball – it graces science museums and classrooms all around the world. It shares a place with the Van de Graaf generator, with the convenient addition of spectacular plasma rays that grace it spherical surface. High voltage, aesthetically pleasing, mad science tropes – what would make a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/build-your-own-plasma-ball/)
24 Hours of Temperature Data at a Glance
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/24-hours-of-temperature-data-at-a-glance/
In an era where we can see the current temperature with just a glance at our smartphones, the classic “Time and Temp” gadget sitting on the desk doesn’t have quite the same appeal. The modern weather fanatic demands more data, which is where this gorgeous full-day temperature display from [Richard] …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/24-hours-of-temperature-data-at-a-glance/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/24-hours-of-temperature-data-at-a-glance/
In an era where we can see the current temperature with just a glance at our smartphones, the classic “Time and Temp” gadget sitting on the desk doesn’t have quite the same appeal. The modern weather fanatic demands more data, which is where this gorgeous full-day temperature display from [Richard] …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/24-hours-of-temperature-data-at-a-glance/)
Beat The Streets With This Text Spraying Robot
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/beat-the-streets-with-this-text-spraying-robot/
In the midst of striking for climate change awareness, you may need some extra hands. That’s what [Anred Zynch] thought when they built Strettexter, the text-spraying writing robot that sprays onto streets.
The machine is loaded with 8 spray cans placed into a wooden box (a stop line with a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/beat-the-streets-with-this-text-spraying-robot/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/beat-the-streets-with-this-text-spraying-robot/
In the midst of striking for climate change awareness, you may need some extra hands. That’s what [Anred Zynch] thought when they built Strettexter, the text-spraying writing robot that sprays onto streets.
The machine is loaded with 8 spray cans placed into a wooden box (a stop line with a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/beat-the-streets-with-this-text-spraying-robot/)
Haptic Glove Controls Robot Hand Wirelessly
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/haptic-glove-controls-robot-hand-wirelessly/
[Miller] wanted to practice a bit with some wireless modules and wound up creating a robotic hand he could teleoperate with the help of a haptic glove. It lookes highly reproducible, as you can see the video, below the break.
The glove uses an Arduino’s analog to digital converter to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/haptic-glove-controls-robot-hand-wirelessly/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/haptic-glove-controls-robot-hand-wirelessly/
[Miller] wanted to practice a bit with some wireless modules and wound up creating a robotic hand he could teleoperate with the help of a haptic glove. It lookes highly reproducible, as you can see the video, below the break.
The glove uses an Arduino’s analog to digital converter to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/25/haptic-glove-controls-robot-hand-wirelessly/)