MakerBot Industries

Today is a proud day for those of us on the support team — one of our own, MikeBattaglia, has created a featured Thingiverse item!  And yes, it’s a toilet paper holder!

It’s actually a really nice toilet paper holder, and (though it isn’t shown in the photo) the item’s organic curves generate a sort of wood-grain pattern on portion of the print.  It’s a very groovy, rec-room-esque piece.  Print one for your mancave!

Well done Mike!

TP Holder by MikeBattaglia

This is a toilet paper holder. You can use it to hold toilet paper. This is a good thing to have for when you have toilet paper, but nothing to hold it with.

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Txchnologist, the online magazine from GE, has posted the first clip from an interview with Bre they did at our workshop. What better subject to start with than Project Shellter?

Watch the the video to hear Bre talk about the mission behind Project Shellter and why the MakerBot community is taking on the challenge. They also got some great shots of the crabitat at Shellter East and a shell being printed on the Thing-O-Matic!

Stackable Box Toy by Rupert

Thingiverse citizen Rupert designed these stackable box toys as a printable teaching aid.  While there are a number other teaching tools on Thingiverse, this is definitely an “under tagged” sub-group of Things.  Rupert includes a call to action:

What other teaching aids could we make with our machines? What about a Makers4Schools movement?

I think we can build on Rupert’s work.  Whether you’re ready to start designing teaching aids or just enjoy cruising Thingiverse, you can help right now.  Design and upload your own teaching aid and tag it with “Makers4Schools“.  Or, if you’re not ready to start uploading something right now, why not check out Thingiverse and find a few teaching aids you could tag with “Makers4Schools“?

In just a few minutes you could make Thingiverse a richer place for everyone by contributing or finding teaching aids!

Stackable Box Toy by Rupert

A set of stackable and nestable boxes decorated with shapes and letters. WARNING: Objects smaller than 45mm are unsuitable for children under 3! WARNING: Check the material you are using to print is safe for children! WARNING: Ensure no loose parts or sharp edges once the part is printed! The boxes nest neatly inside one another and securely on top of each other in purpose made slots. Each box is cubic and 5mm bigger than the last. The sides are decorated with the alphabet, geometric shapes, Makerbot and RepRap logos, and the message I-LOVE-REPRAP-MAKERBOT. This design is loosely based on the Montessori pink tower. What other teaching aids could we make with our machines? What about a Makers4Schools movement?

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Steampunk Couture: CNC Goggles by gianteye

Thingiverse is full of amazing creations by some amazing designers.  What I find really interesting is what people did before they had access to a 3D printer.  I used to, and still do, enjoy origami.  I know of others that built things using cardboard, others wood, others metal.

So, I’m curious – what do you make?  How do you make it?