MakerBot Industries

One of the cool things about watching people upload things to Thingiverse is seeing someone contribute an entirely new design.  Bengarvey recently uploaded his “Marble Run” model.  As soon as I saw this I thought that a marble run system is such a perfect match for 3D printing.  You could make some seriously awesome twists, turns, and swirls with a 3D printer that might otherwise be very difficult to craft.  I would love to see a big swiss-cheese looking marble run block that has a convoluted internal path with little viewing windows.

I could easily see this becoming another great modular building/playset on Thingiverse.  With some dovetail joints, a marble run derivative could remove the need for fasteners.  With a little bit of creative work, I’m sure someone could make a Marble Run to train tracks adapter – allowing people to make immediate use of their existing Thomas train track infrastructure.

Marble Run by bengarvey

The Maker Bot Marble Run! This set includes a turning block, straight ramp, spacer block, and even a printable marble!

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3D Printing for Fathers Day!

This is an unheard-of 3D Printing bargain, the likes of which shock even me, your dear narrator. On Sunday 6/18, The CupCake CNC Ultimate Kit is dropping to a brain-freezingly low price. We love the CupCake CNC and know what a st/deal this is, so take advantage and get one soon! These are the last units of the CupCake, and we have run out of space for them here at the BotCave. Yesterday an avalanche of printed parts temporarily blocked access to the bathroom, and the decision was made. “Sell, sell, sell!” called Commander Bre. The big wheel keep on turning, and Fathers Day is looming! So get cracking and get the all-time best bargain in DIY 3D printing history. It’s everything you need to get started 3D Printing with a fun build, a great device, and a great Fathers Day gift! This is a limited time offer so carpe diem!

The deadline for the Open Hardware Summit is fast approaching!  Get your proposals in by June 24th.  They go to proposals [AT] openhardwaresummit.org.

We know that at least some of you are using your bots to prototype fantastic free-as-in-speech projects. Make proposal for the conference, which will be here in NYC this September 15th, to share what you’ve learned and make an impact in the community!

Read more about it here; full details follow after the jump.

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Peter Cooper, Founder of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in NYC

I read an interesting BusinessInsider.com post mentioning MakerBot in its discussions of historic and potential interaction between Art and Science within NYC businesses and tech startups. Having spent the past decade in NYC myself, I have heard quite a bit about The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (aka “Cooper Union”), have worked with graduates of its programs and attended public events there. But I hadn’t thought in detail why it is significant that the institution unites these two elements until reading Fred Wilson’s post.

Here’s a quote that stood out for me:

Science and art are seen as two very distinct endeavors and I suppose they are. But I see science and art as the yin yang of creative culture and innovation. To quote from Wikipedia, science and art are seemingly contrary forces that are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and they give rise to each other in turn.

Not a floor. Nor a bed.

Without question, my favorite findings on Thingiverse are items that I need (right now), and will save me money!

I recently moved apartments, and have been struggling to find a  place to put wet towels. The floor has been the most popular destination, with my bed a close second. Of course nobody likes grimy towels or wet sheets. Watwood‘s towel rack has made my day. Simple, elegant, and effective, it’s the epitome of practicality! Since I already have an extra 1/2″ wooden dowel lying around (thank you AC installation), this will cost me next to nothing. I anxiously await its installation this evening!

Towel Rack by watwood

I looked on Thingiverse for a towel rack and did not find one. It's a quick sketchup project. My first upload. I've printed these for the kitchen, garage and workshop. My wife was almost impressed!

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Bad news for our Canadian customers: it seems like the labor negotiations have gone sour, and the post offices are shuttered. To deal with this, we’re now going to be offering UPS shipping to Canada.

UPS shipping is a bit more expensive, and they will charge brokerage fees, but they’ll also get your packages to you in good time.  We hope that the labor situation will soon return to normal, because Express Mail is generally the best way to go for shipping to our friendly neighbors in the north.

I will at this time not mention the Stanley Cup finals.

Canadian customers might also want to check out our Canadian distributor at http://makerbot.ca/

We’ll be monitoring the situation as it develops.

The Colbear by Tony Buser

Thingiverse champion Pattywac has another challenge for you (and your friends)!  The chosen design will receive $60.00 from Pattywac and $100.00 in MakerBot store credit provided by MakerBot Industries!  Here are the details:

With a great bust, comes a great responsibility. ¹  We must use Stephen Colbert scans in the greatest design challenge to date, the Makerstrong Mashup Challenge.  I can’t guarantee that a mashup resulting in a printable clock with a Steve Colbert head-pendulum and gears embossed with his likeness or a printable tank with a giant Colbert bust on the top that shoots smaller Colbert busts out would win, but they definitely wouldn’t get last place…

Just to clarify, all submissions to this challenge must use at least one of the Stephen Colbert head scans included in the following post and use it as part of a new thing posting “http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:9104”

The initial prize will be $60 cash transferred via Paypal from Pattywac, and $100 in Makerbot store credit, generously supplied by MakerBot Industries.  IF we can somehow get Mr. Cobert to agree to be a guest judge on the panel for the challenge, Pattywac will up the cash prize to $150 transferred via Paypal.  Any flattr money will also be added to the prize pool.

Rules:

1. Needs to be printable (at least partly… Unicorns, Frostruders, and other toolheads included) on a Makerbot
2. Needs to combine at least two designs, one of them being a Steve Colbert head scan (can include new designs of your own making)
3. Post submissions on Thingiverse by 8pm CST on July 17, 2011.
4. Multiple entries are allowed, but they must be distinct from one another.
5. To enter be sure and tag your Thing with the word “Makerstrong”

The entries will be judged using the following criteria:

• Number of Likes on Thingiverse
• Number of times it has been made by someone else
• Average Thingiverse rating
• Printability (not just fitting it in the space but also how many separate prints are required)
• Effort put into design (based on testing and revisions (if at all needed), how well does it fit the challenge)
• Does it build on previous challenge winners?
• Future for use in other Thingiverse designs
• Number of other items combined from Thingiverse to make new design

Yay!  I love mashup challenges!

1. MakerBlock:  Must… resist… jokes… [↩]

We’re a fast growing robotics startup and we’re looking to add motivated production technicians to the team at our Brooklyn warehouse. Here is the scoop on the open positions:

Duties & Responsibilities:
- Manual assembly of small products and kits
- Maintaining accurate inventory counts in our computer system
- Restocking supplies from warehouse

Requirements:
- Detail oriented. You pride yourself on getting it right every time.
- Self-motivator with a strong work ethic, and able to work in a fast paced environment
- Rock solid computer skills (e.g. Windows, Office, Internet)
- Able to lift 35 lbs

Bonus Qualifications:
- Experience using different types of shipping software (e.g. DHL, Endicia)
- Past experience or interest in robotics and 3D Printing
- Experience in shipping products for a large company
- Experience picking, packing and shipping customer orders

This position is full time 40 hours per week, the pay is $12/hour.

We offer a fun working environment, a steady paycheck and the opportunity to be a part of the next manufacturing revolution.

If you’re interested, please email us your resume along with a brief explanation of why you want to work with us and how your qualifications & experience will add value to our company. hiring (at) makerbot.com

Kim Boekbinder, scanned into 3D and uploaded to Thingiverse, made a song and a video! Cool! Check out her latest album, “Impossible Girl.” It’s great!.