FreeFormFab

Wolfram Research

Founded by Stephen Wolfram in 1987 Wolfram Research is one of the world’s most respected software companies—as well as a powerhouse of scientific and technical innovation. As pioneers in computational science and the computational paradigm, we have pursued a long-term vision to develop the science, technology, and tools to make computation an ever-more-potent force in today’s and tomorrow’s world.

At the center is Mathematica: our ever-advancing core product that launched modern technical computing and has now become the world’s most powerful global computation system. With millions of dedicated users throughout the technical and educational communities, Mathematica represents a unique blend of major research breakthroughs, outstanding user-oriented design, and world-class software engineering.

See also: Wolfram demonstration project
See also: Wolfram Alpha
See also: Wolfram Tones

The Best of Instructables

Instructables publish their first compilation in print this week, with 300 pages of top instructables voted for by the community and selected by the website editors. I got an advance copy, having an instructable in there, and have been devouring the book at every opportunity. Somehow instructables are even better suited to book form (or maybe its testament to the work of the publishers, O’Reilly). The book is easy to navigate and lucid yet still packed with both the original instructables plus selected comments and interspersed commentary from the website creators.

The book is available from Amazon. The great thing about the book is that it is much more manageable than the website. Its all too easy to get lost among the 10,000 projects that have been uploaded, and the book seems to be a good representation of the variety of projects on the site.

Source: Ponoko Blog

Personal Fabrication for Dummies

Personal Fabrication has the potential to change the way things are made and sold. Mass customization requires a front end solution that allows the customer to configure their product, but also requires specialized machinery to execute those designs. Many people think 3D printers are the way this will happen, but there are half a dozen other amazing technologies that allow people to make anything they can imagine. 

Source: Replicator

Tutorials on how to set up a Fablab

A series documenting the setting up and usage of a MIT styled FabLab in the Netherlands. Will feature step by step tutorials on how to use the different equipment in the lab.

How to Make a Three Axis CNC Machine

The idea behind this Instructable was to build a desktop sized CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine. While it would have been nice to purchase an off the shelf unit, the issue of price as well as size proved prohibitive. With this in mind I endeavored to design and build a three axis CNC machine with the following factors in mind:

• Use Simple tools (needs only a drill press, band saw, and hand tools) 
• Low Cost (all parts is under $600)
• Small footprint (30″ x 25″ footprint)
• Usable working envelope (10″ X-axis, 14″ Y-Axis, 4″ Z-Axis)
• Relativly fast cut rate (60″ per minute)
• Small part count (fewer than 30 unique parts)
• Easy to source parts (all parts available from 4 sources)
• Ability to cut ply-wood (Succesful)