Here Are 18 Brilliant Ways To Use Old Stuff You’re About To Throw Away

http://www.educateinspirechange.org/2014/02/18-brilliant-ways-use-old-stuff-youre-throw-away.html

CNC mill - can we get one?

http://www.solidsmack.com/fabrication/nomad-cnc-is-the-bomb-diggity/

The Clug: A 3D Printable Minimalist Bike Storage System

http://www.solidsmack.com/design/clug-3d-printable-minimalist-bike-storage-system/

Carbon Wrenches

 

Lightweight Tools of the Future: CarbonLite's Carbon Fiber Wrenches

Posted by hipstomp / Rain Noe | 8 May 2014 | Comments (8)

When I think of carbon fiber, I think of its automotive applications, like F1 guys making monocoques out of the stuff. But it never occurred to me that carbon fiber could be used to make the hand tools we use to work on cars. A company called CarbonLite Tools is now producing a line of carbon fiber box-end wrenches.

The wrenches are, of course, insanely light; a set of five weighs just 6.7 ounces (190 grams), which the company reckons is lighter than your average steel single 15mm wrench. And yet they're not made completely from carbon fiber—the teeth are made from hardened stainless steel inserts, which you can see in the photo below, so that stubborn nuts won't shred those expensive layers of fiber.

And yes, they are expensive: A set of five—metric on one side, Imperial on the other, from 3/8" & 10mm up to 5/8" & 15mm—will set you back US $140. Beyond the price, the only thing that might give you pause is this caveat from the company: "We recommend using gloves as there is a small possibility the carbon fiber can leave splinters in your hand if the carbon fiber is damaged. The possibility of splinters from the carbon fiber wrench is about the same as with a wood handle on a shovel or hammer."

Starck_and_Axor_Dematerialize_the_Sink_Faucet

Cool as Faucets...

 

http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/starck_and_axor_dematerialize_the_sink_faucet_26806.asp

 

Cheers,

Rick Briggs | Design Engineer | FPG
p: +64 6 843 3149 I f: +64 6 843 2466 I www.fpgworld.com
Au: 1800 041 649 I Asia: 0086 21 3351 3390 | | NZ: 0800 367 374 | UK: 0044 845 485 9300 

 

Sorry

http://www.core77.com/blog/lighting/new_light_panel_technology_imagine_having_a_ceiling_skylight_on_the_1st_floor_of_a_multistory_building_26936.asp

 

Todd Kelsen | Engineering Support | FPG

m: +64 21 369 239 | p: +64 6 843 3149 I f: +64 6 843 2466 I www.fpgworld.com
Au: 1800 041 649 I Asia: 0086 21 3351 3390 | NZ: 0800 367 374 | UK: 0044 845 485 9300

 

Italian Daylight Panel

Daylight Lighting Panel Simulates near perfect daylight

Planter Bricks

The Planter Brick

 

The planter brick wall is designed to be a combination of traditional masonry units combined with units that can hold plants and vegetation. The planter bricks have the potential to counter the heat island effect in big cities through evapotranspiration and pollution conversion and by the light, reflective color of the bricks. Additionally, edible plants such as rosemary and other fragrant herbs with shallow root systems may be planted in the bricks and accessed through openings in the wall. The plants in the bricks will help mediate the temperature of the microclimate surrounding the building, buffer sound and filter the air. The plants held in the planter bricks will be fed water and nutrients through drip irrigation lines that are built into the cavity of the masonry wall. The indentations in the bricks that allow for irrigation act much like weep holes allowing water and nutrient to move through a network of continuous drip irrigation tubes that run within the cavity of the masonry wall. The water for the irrigation may be pumped up from below or gravity fed from a cistern or water collection device on the roof. The planter bricks are made by direct digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping technology. Ceramic particles are printed and held together using an organic binder and then fired in a kiln just like traditional bricks. The bricks may be assembled in a load bearing cavity wall condition or installed as a traditional masonry curtain wall would be on a steel or concrete frame building and can be installed new or retrofitted. The planter bricks are 3D printed using direct digital manufacturing . The bricks are modeled in a 3D software application and the digital file is sent directly to the 3D printer for manufacture. This means a very diverse and infinitely unique selection of bricks can be manufactured based on the clients or designers desires for a particular application. The bricks are manufactured with clay instead of more ephemeral powders that are typically used for rapid prototyping . The 3d clay prints are then bisque fired at cone 5 and glazed to make them waterproof.

Project Date: 2009
Project Credits: Ronald Rael, Virginia San Fratello, Molly Reichert
Additional Information: The Planter Brick was exhibited the Exit Art Vertical Gardens exhibit

Dangerdust

Every week a mysterious duo plague the chalkboards of Columbus College of Art & Design, seeking to inspire and motivate, leaving behind a trail of chalk dust.

http://ddccad.tumblr.com/

 

 

 

 

Project Ara: 6.5 Reasons Why Google’s Modular Phone Is A Good Idea

We have already reported on Project Ara, Google’s Modular Phone here, so building a layer on the story, today we look at why this phone is a good idea. Last month, Google hosted its first Project Ara developer’s conference and gave out more information on the project. Presently, the Advanced Technologies and Products (ATAP) team is overseeing the project and hopefully by January 2015 we will have our hands on this device.


Let’s start with the mother of all reasons: affordability. Starting at a base price of $50 (for the entry level “Grey Phone” model), Google hopes to connect the 5 billion folks who miss out on the pleasures of a Smartphone. Case-point two is the idea itself. Imagine creating a phone with modules that can be bought and upgraded at anytime! Google geniuses, some of who also once worked for DARPA sure have an ace up their sleeve.

As a spin-off point, thanks to the modularity of the components, the repair costs for a faulty part or replacement should not cost an arm and a leg.
Thanks to the modular nature, the longevity of the phone has increased. This is benefit number four! You will never own an outdated phone and upgrades will be a breeze, given the minimum two-year contract that most Smartphones come with. Presently, Google has planned mini, medium and large skeletons with swappable parts.

Extensive Customization: benefit number five is the second most important feature of this super-phone. Total customization helps you build a true high-end Smartphone and at the same time, if you decide to go thrifty, you at least have the basic gear.
Reason number six is that Google is considering 3D printed designs, giving us various options to choose from. The easily swappable parts are an innovative feature. No need to glue or stick on parts, simply place the part in position and it is held in place thanks to the electromagnets.
Lastly, Google will be retailing the skeletons and the modules directly. Apparently, Google has plans to kick-start with the “Grey Phone” and customers can choose from a mini, medium or large skeleton and then select the modular components that they wish to add to the phone.