Taniith’s Relto

In the past couple days, I’ve discovered a few interesting things. First is Ponoko. They have a whole host of materials that they will laser cut (from felt to plastic to wood). I got a few small bits laser cut for Heek, but that was just in plastic. I’m now starting to think about my plan for Heek, and I think I might take advantage of Ponoko for some of it. I’m thinking something like interlocking MDF for structure (either laser cut or I’ll do it myself with a bandsaw somewhere). Maybe with decorative top parts, especially on the master box; I can actually get it cut and engraved in cherry or walnut to look like a real Heek table!

Ok, so that covers the box structure, but MDF is kinda boring. After some thought, I think I’ll go with a Steampunk theme. I’m going to get some sort of aged leather to put on the sides (while I can get engraved leather from Ponoko, I don’t think it’s worth it). Then, I’ll get aged, thin copper or brass to wrap the edges and corners. I’ll top it off with some tacks/rivets all around the metal. And it will be epic; far more interesting than just simple boxes like I was first thinking of. I already found some interesting thin (36 gauge) copper and brass foil, including some reclaimed rolls of the copper, so I ordered a sample pack to test the look and formability.

Also, another pair of sites I found were the MakerBot and the RepRap. Both are personal 3D printers that you (partially) build yourself. They are both pretty rough right now, but the development plans look pretty cool. The MakerBot is sort of an offshoot of the RepRap; Its more interested in usability while the RepRap is about building a fabricator that can replicate its own parts. RepRap is working on things like 3D printing circuit boards (and the actual transistors that are solder on as a pipe dream), so you can use it to replicate more of itself. MakerBot, on the other hand, is working on ideas like adding additional nozzles to use support material like the professional printers. That way, anything can be printed without the worry that overhangs will break before they have structure build up, or before they totally cool off/dry.

Its all very interesting, and I look forward to seeing where it goes. Now there are good way to get 2D stuff, laser cut pieces, and 3D stuff, and the possibility to build or buy all of those fabricators in some way. Dave has this idea he’s been saying for a bit that 3D printers will be so affordable by the time that I graduate that everyone will be able to pool together and get one as a gift. Who knows, maybe he’ll be right…. but then again, maybe I’ll have built my own by then ;p.

-K