cocreation

Last year, Kristen Turner wrote about the design blogosphere positive response to Dave Rollins’ controller ornaments.  So how did it all happen for him?
Firstly, Dave Rollins is a US designer who really really likes reading blogs.  It’s probably how he came across Ponoko in the first place.
How did you used to make products before Ponoko?
I have a small shop in my garage.  If I ever wanted to tinker I’d head out there to build stuff by hand.  At my last design consultancy job we had a 3D printer that we used daily.  I think that really got me into the mindset of rapid-prototyping and micro manufacturing.
When did you start making with Ponoko and what type of products do you make?
I started on Ponoko a little over a year ago.  My first products were based on digital clocks, but with pieces that you manually add and remove to create number forms.  I figured it would be an efficient way to use materials since the cutouts from one color could then be used with another backing piece of a different color.
During the holidays last year I came up with a set of ornaments based on the designs of video game controllers.  It was a fun idea that popped into my head pretty quickly.  I basically had the idea on a Thursday and started in Illustrator the next day.  By Sunday I had moved my Illustrator designs into a CAD program and did renderings of the CAD models.  By Monday morning, the ornaments had been picked up by some blogs, including Gizmodo.  Sales started pouring in immediately.
How would you describe your creative process?
A little bit manic.   If an idea comes to me then I’m usually not happy unless I’m working away on it.   Like I said I’m a big blog reader and there’s so much inspiration out there these days.
What material/s do you use/ have you used/are interested in using  and why?
I’m a plastics guy.  I love that the material is essentially ready to go as soon as you peel off the paper.
Have you been surprised by anything in the Ponoko process: positives/negatives?
The amount of precision is really something to deal with.  When I first started I was using gaps that were around 1mm between fitted parts.  Over time I learned how to make parts fit together tightly.
Do you have any tips for other users?
Don’t be afraid to try something new, and don’t get discouraged when you can’t sell a design.  The internet is a fickle place, and all it takes is a positive review from a large blog and you’ll see lots of traffic.  When my clocks appeared on Gizmodo, they got slammed. Unfortunately I wasn’t the one who submitted the work to them, so I didn’t get to properly describe the product or share other versions.  Then, when the ornaments showed up on there (again, not submitted by me), they gave a positive review.  You can really be made or broken by those posts.
http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/digits

We are in for an ugly season.

I thought I would girlie up the blog a little bit with some CLOTHES.
Lasercutting has been a major theme in fashion for the past few seasons. And it isn’t at all this year (with the exception of one designer who’ll I’ll be writing about later), so I’ll just get that out of the way. Digital textile printing, too, seems to have lost the imagination of designers. The novelty appeal, as Sarah Mower of Style.com writes, “quickly becomes cliché.” The passing of Alexander McQueen — whose spring collection was a digitally printed tour de force — likely affected designers’ decision to step back from digital prints.
The new NEW? There’s an obsession with asymmetry and militants in outer space. Knits are huge, and I mean literally. Texture is stuck-on rather than built-in. And anyone in mourning will find they have the best clothing selection ever. These trends and more, after the jump.

Before we get into this, let me say that people look at fashion from different perspectives — the art, the craft, the commercial viability, etc. I stay up late clicking through Style.com runway photos asking the question, “What do I hope Forever 21 will knock off for me?”
Asymmetry
Asymmetry was one of the biggest themes this season. One designer, not shown and I can’t remember, featured models with one eyebrow shaved off and the other very thick. While I do love one-shoulder tops, I refuse to let half of my body be cold.

BIG Knits
Knitwear scales way up. Very crafty, but I think I’ll skip this stitch.

Black Widow
From gypsy to criminal to cowboy to nun to executioner, the black widow look is in. And I’m all for it.

Dyed Fur
Easily the most terrifying trend this fall is dyed fur. If you buy blue fur this season, you will regret it.

Royal Couture
Couture nods to its regal roots with gold, ruby, and royal blue.

Seventies Chic
The only trend I’m looking forward to retail chains interpreting.

Space Command
Here’s a trend for those wondering “Where is the future?! It is 2010 after all.” (Perhaps if Apple ever enters the auto industry we will get our flying cars…)

Stuck-On
Lots of things were stuck all over stuff.

Student Paper
Graduates at Central Saint Martins were into something totally different than the pros. Their designs were much more in touch with the world of product design and explored the boundaries between 2D and 3D. (Something particularly relevant to this blog.)

Tights
The plus side of Fall 2010’s ugliness is how much money we’ll all save. I’m getting a few pairs of cute tights and wearing what I wore last year.

Personal Favorites
Okay, so there were a handful of things I actually liked. Namely, school girl outfits, velvet dresses, genie knits, and long-sleeve onesies.

Native Mac Version Due for October release

After the rumours, screenshots and videos we saw a few months ago, it seems that CAD-loving Mac users are in for a treat by the time October rolls around.
Some sixteen years have gone by since AutoCAD last branched outside of those cosy confines on Windows systems. Along with a version for Mac that will be priced at the same level as its Windows conterpart, there will be free iOS viewers for both iPad and iPhone that will enable users to preview designs and make minor changes.
The release of AutoCAD for Mac will make things interesting in the world of digital manufacturing as well, with 3d printing now a part of the AutoCAD export arsenal.
So for many creative types who can’t resist the Apple allure, there will soon be one less reason to dual boot those shiny OSX machines.
via MacRumors with even more info on MacWorld

Printing The Next Generation – Here’s How It’s Done

It’s all about taking a basic 3d printer, and using it to print a more advanced one. That’s the beauty of this technology… the beauty of the whole DIY 3d printer movement, in fact.
Watch the video as Gavilan Steinman neatly explains how his Darwin printer was used to fabricate a Mendel replacement, thus propelling him into a future where higher quality outcomes will be achieved with greater speed and efficiency.
From the humblest of beginnings, a device can be constructed that sets off a steady climb towards fabbing freedom. The original extruder was a handmade wooden contraption that Gavilan then used to create a better version of itself. This higher performing and more accurate component was then installed, ready to print out the next generation of components.
Not only do we get to see the whole process in this well composed clip, the tempting reality of Ponoko’s new hardware partnership with Sparkfun means that all of the other electronic goodies you’ll need to bring your 3d printer to life can now be sourced right here.
Combine this with the wealth of knowledge that continues to grow at the reprap community and you’ll soon be printing out a next generation of your own.
Via Hack a day.

At the Nagano Olympics in 1998 executives from the Walt Disney Company noticed attendees trading small enameled pins. Each pin commemorated an aspect of a participating country’s culture, an Olympic event, or an aspect of the games e.g. the opening ceremony. Being canny marketers the Disney execs brought the concept to their theme parks. 12 years later the pins are a resounding success, available around every turn in their theme parks.
The pins interesting from a customization perspective for three reasons:
1. The manufacturing processes similar to those of laser cutting, CNC milling and “2.5D” custom manufacturing techniques. It wouldn’t be hard for a well equiped garage to knock out similar products.
2. They produce limited runs to maintain exclusivity. The pin business is robust, but every individual pin is limited in its production run. This feeds into the customers desire to be unique.
3. There is a subculture creating “Fantasy” pins. Often these take the Disney characters in salacious directions, but some create artistic homages to under represented themes.
While not truly a mass customized product this product line shows the infiltration of the limited run/customer driven thought process into the core of one of the world’s largest consumer brands.

SparkFun open source electronics available in Ponoko materials/hardware catalog.

Following the super incredible awesome news of the Ponoko and SparkFun partnership, I wanted to share the 15 new hardware categories and a selection of the electronics now available in the materials catalog.
All the (spark) fun, after the jump.

Accelerometers
These tiny boards are used to measure acceleration. They’re a great device for monitoring motion. Applications of accelerometers include the Nike + iPod Sport Kit to measure pace and distance, the iPhone to reorient the screen based on the way you hold it, and the Wii remote to allow you a realistic interaction with the game.

Cables
Cables of all kinds — audio, ethernet, hook up, serial, USB — at superb prices.

Cellular
Everything you need to develop cellular devices including antennas, evaluation and breakout boards, kits, and modules.

Components
Components is one of my favorite new sections because there’s so much in it. Whether you need a Blackberry trackball, an SNES controller, a voltage regulator, or a hotpink button — components has you covered.

Development Tools
These are the tools you need for developing devices based on a wide range of platforms like AVR, Arduino, iPod, LilyPad, PICAXE, Roomba and many more.

GPS
Global positioning parts!

Gyros
Gyro circuit boards for single, double, and triple axis gyroscopes.

LCDs
LCD displays and touch screens plus all the paraphernalia.

LEDs
Let there be light. LED lights.

Programmers
Tools for programming and debugging.

Prototyping
This category includes batteries, protoboards, various connectors, cases, screws, solar cells, and other hardware store-esque materials.

Robotics
Robotic drivers, motors, controllers, switches and kits. And wheels.

Sensors
Lots of sensing components from fingerprint and RFID scanners to gas and sound detectors.

Tools
Handy bits from pliers and tweezers to nozzles and power supplies plus all your soldering equipment.

Wireless
Wireless essentials like antennas, Bluetooth gear, transmitters, wifi, etc.

CLICK HERE to jump in and start making electronic products! (Plus check out the entire 1500+ new electronics catalog.)

Ponoko and SparkFun announce partnership

It’s official!
Ponoko has teamed up with SparkFun Electronics to help make it easy for you to build custom electronics products using your online personal factory.
This combines the digital making wizardry of the world’s easiest making system with a 1500+ strong electronics catalog from open source electronics supplier SparkFun.
This new service extends Ponoko’s materials catalog to include electronic gadgetry as well as timbers, plastics, fabrics, metals and other sheet materials.
“It’s the first time we’ve offered non-sheet materials,” says Ponoko CEO David ten Have. “Adding hardware to the mix opens up new possibilities on several fronts. Creators can order all the parts they need with one click, rather than needing to go to multiple sources. They also have a single place to describe and store their product design and its components – in this case, the custom parts and the electronics hardware.”
The electronics catalog has been slotted into the existing Ponoko making process so there’s virtually no change from the current making system. Creators upload their designs and select flat sheet materials. Then they have the option to add electronic hardware to their order at the same price as buying direct from SparkFun. They get an instant online price, check out, and all of their items are delivered to their door – custom parts from Ponoko and electronic parts from SparkFun.
“This partnership with Ponoko is more than just business. Rather, it represents another step in our goal of ‘enabling electronic enthusiasts,’” said SparkFun Chief Operating Officer Trevor Zylstra. “SparkFun and Ponoko are working together to create an easy way for our customers to make polished, complete projects. We want the SparkFun community to have the resources to create unique custom enclosures for their projects. Working together with Ponoko, we think we have accomplished that.”
The new service also makes it more practical for creators to sell their custom made electronic products.
“Anyone can sell their custom made goods on Ponoko, including electronic products,” says Mr ten Have. “They just take photos of their finished items and upload them to their free Ponoko showroom along with a description. Customers order online and we take care of the fulfillment process – delivering the custom parts and hardware direct to the customer for self assembly.”
More than 60,000 user generated goods have been made so far using the Ponoko system. Providing easy access to materials is as much a part of its popularity as easy access to making technology and the Ponoko team hopes to continue to expand its material catalog over the coming months.
Give it a go, and let us know what you think in comments below!

You know the “Game Mechanics” discussion is getting out of hand when a company like Subaru takes a page from the world of the internet allowing customers to put badges and status messages on the back of their cars. If you have a Subaru VIN number you can order these badges for free and share with the world how many Legacy’s or Outback’s you’ve owned in the past. Secondary modular badges also let you share statuses or interests which range from being a bicycle enthusiast to a supporter of the LGBT community.
It is an interesting development and will be exciting to see if a dollar in plastic parts can meaningfully impact future purchasing decisions by placing a customer firmly in a “tribe” of fellow owners. The reflexive answer would be no, but given the astounding financial success of a company like Zynga selling pixels for dollars, it is not that far fetched.

Who Won? What Was The Big Idea?

Who’d have thought that the GeekDad/Ponoko/Sparkfun competition winning entry would involve beer?!?
The call went out, and the votes are in – with Ross Daly (aka tinyenormous) taking out top honours with a convincing 45% of the vote. That’s him cradling his winning entry in the picture above – and his big idea is the Minifridge Beer Dispenser, soon to be produced for free using the combined might of SparkFun and Ponoko.
Thanks to Nathan Barry over at GeekDad for the following interview with the proud winner.

So Ross, tell our readers a bit more about yourself.
I am a visual effects artist during the day, and a geek at night. I blog at blog.tinyenormous.com about all kinds of photography, microcontroller, and robotics hacks. I live in Boulder, CO and I’m 30.
What was your inspiration for designing the beer dispenser?
I like to think of (relatively) simple solutions to common problems. In this case it really strikes me how many mini fridges are bought and discarded as waves and waves of kids go to college. Hopefully this will either encourage them to keep them for longer, or to give other people a reason to buy them and keep them out of landfills.
How long did it take to build the prototype?
The prototype took a few hours to print and build, but it has taken FOREVER to design. I have been thinking about it for over a year, and trying to keep the electronics part count down while making it reliable has really been a learning process. Along the way I stumbled across 507 mechanical movements, and I have taken a lot of inspiration from that.
What do think will be toughest part of the build?
I have been laying out the design in illustrator, and the toughest part will definitely be getting the tolerances for laser cutting figured out correctly. I have been designing it with captive nut joints but I am certain that there will be a bit of duct tape and grinding involved in the final product!
How do you hope to improve on your prototype?
I hope to get the fit figured out for the prototype, and to do a test to ensure that the pieces that slide well in foamcore still slide well when they are cut out of 3mm acrylic. The programming aspect should be fairly simple. I have done a lot of projects based on the Arduino platform. I’m far from an efficient coder, but I can make it work most of the time. The beer dispensing side of the machine should be easy, while the internet connectivity and stock levels aspect could be more difficult.
Ross has promised to thoroughly document the build and final product at tinyenormous before too long.
Many thanks to all of the tinkerers who submitted entries to this competition, and also to the voting public for making it such a decisive outcome for Ross and his Minifridge Beer Dispenser.
See the original interview at Wired.com’s GeekDad.

Melbourne Duo Cutting Some Fine Forms

Jem Selig Freeman is responsible for this smooth incarnation of the humble articulated lamp. The neat geometry and targeted symmetry of this design results in a friendly retro-robotic feel that is brimming with personality.
We wouldn’t expect anything less from a company that specialises in things that other fabrication businesses won’t touch.

The Light MKI is an example of the offerings from Melbourne-based studio Like Butter, where Jem teams up with Laura Woodward to run a plasma cutter dubbed The Mighty Plasmatron.
Like Butter can also carve up a storm with their CNC router, the very same machine that engraved This is: a trivet for local designer Bonnie So.
Looking at the Light MKI, I wonder whether a swivel base mechanism could be introduced that follows the same structural format being used in the arm joints. Even so, it is great to see that it is still possible for designers to come up with refreshing iterations almost 80 years since George Carwardine first thought up the Anglepoise Lamp.
I’m also fond of the Light Painting technique used in some of Jem’s photography. Be sure to check out the Like Butter website to see what else these guys get up to.
Source: Broadsheet Melbourne (!print link)

Using a laser like a saw to cut thicker material.

Peter from the RepRap Builders blog has come up with a clever way to cut thicker material with a weaker laser. His experimental laser cutter moves the focus of the laser up and down in a saw-like motion.

In a typical laser cutter the laser moves on a flat plane. It can move side to side in any direction, but it does not move up and down. But why would it need to since laser cutters cut flat sheets of material? What you may not know is that the laser is cone-shaped, not straight and cylindrical. This means that there is a particular point, the focal distance, where the laser is the most powerful. Read the How does laser-cutting work? FAQ for more details.
Typical laser cutters use a 20-100 Watt laser, which is powerful enough to cut even when material is not exactly at the focal point. Peter’s laser uses a 1 Watt laser that can cut 1mm thick plastic, albeit slowly, by moving the most powerful part of the laser up and down through the thickness of the material.

This idea could help make cheap, widely available laser cutters a reality in the same way as projects like RepRap and Makerbot have dramatically reduced the cost of basic 3D printers. Read our pricing guide of inexpensive 3D printers for more information. Remember that three of them are available through Ponoko.

Via Buildlog.net

London calling

Making in the UK just got easier. The new RazorLAB site lets you upload your designs directly to the London based making hub.
RazorLAB founder Soner Ozenc explains the benefits of the new site. “‘The most obvious advantage is that UK customers will now be able to make payments in GBP. Also, they will get local support and customer service along with a dedicated UK-based blog. Our aim is to be the first gateway for anything to do with laser cutting in the UK.”
RazorLAB is powered and supported by Ponoko’s online making system. Those familiar with making through Ponoko.com will find the same user-friendly process at the partner sites.
Ponoko’s CEO Dave ten Have talks about what this means to the big picture. “Ponoko is all about bringing together creators, digital fabricators, materials suppliers and customers to change the way products are made, sold, and delivered. Each new partner in the Ponoko network not only brings us closer to that dream, but is proof that creative people all over the world want access to making real products.”
With the latest addition of RazorLAB, Ponoko’s online making system now supports five digital making hubs including Formulor in Germany, Vectorealism in Italy, and Ponoko owned hubs in the US and New Zealand.
Ready to start making in the UK?
CLICK HERE to sign up with RazorLAB!
*Note: To open an account you will need to create a different username than the one you use here at Ponoko.