starting point
Amadeus wrote 03/19/2015 at 15:07 • 3 pointsHeyhey,
first of all I am really new to all of this. started studying industrial design one year ago but somehow can't help it to really get interested into all this technology and hacking stuff. but apart from a few product design projects, some basic physics knowledge and some websites i've tried to make i don't really have any of these "hacking" skills. so i've been looking around a bit and thought a good start might be to get an arduino board and maybe some kind of home fabricator (like the zmorph, anybody experiences with it?) to start on some project where i could combine my design skills with my interest in more technological stuff (the technological part is the new thing to me). i am really a beginner but thought it couldn't hurt to post this here in case somebody thinks to have some valuable info or advise for me.
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There are a lot of 3D printers out there, so it's just about finding one that suits your needs. I'm not familiar with zmorph, but we've had a Bukito knocking around the office and we like it (plus we just got a Hackaday edition added to the store - http://store.hackaday.com/products/bukito-portable).
I wouldn't recomend starting from scratch if you're a beginner, but you might like to read about other peoples DIY 3D printer builds http://hackaday.io/list/2397-3d-printing (I'm going to update this list shortly).
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Agreed with all of @Jasmine's sentiments, especially joining a hackerspace to meet like-minded individuals. I'll add that the best way to get started is to think of a few things you'd like to build, and then start building! If you want to get into 3D printing, Thingiverse has a great database of designs that people have put out there--it's a great place to gather inspiration. Learning 3D modeling has a fairly steep learning curve but you'll figure it out!
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I'll follow these hints! Even thought i'm rather looking for a way to get into the electronic hacking (hardware programming etc..) since i'm learning about the 3d modeling through my studies. But yes, getting involved in a hackerspace and getting started on a related project sure makes totally sense! (as learning by doing is probably one of the most effective ways to get the grasp of something?!). Also thank you for your comment, reading these replies is really getting me motivated!
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You're in the right place if you want to get into electronics tinkering. If you've got a few hundred bucks to spend, make the investment now in good equipment:
- a temperature-controlled soldering station
- a decent multimeter
- a large breadboard
- flush-cut diagonal cutters
- various screwdrivers, pliers, etc
- safety glasses comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time
Set everything up somewhere it won't be disturbed by parents/wives/kids/pets/etc. Then grab an Arduino starter kit and run through the Example circuits from the IDE!
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Hello Amadeus,
looking at your website it looks like you do have 'hacking' skills, just maybe more design and mechanical than electronic. But it looks like you are on the right path.
Have you had a chance to use a zmorph or other 3D printer? If not, I'd probably see if you can use the ones at your college or university, or local hackerspace. That way you can work out what features and size suits the kind of stuff you want to do, and you can get tips and advice about techniques, filaments vs temperature etc. Some of the more economical printers can have very small print areas, or are low resolution. Are you based in Basel? If so, you can check out http://www.starship-factory.ch/. Joining a fablab, makerspace or hackspace will likely give you access to other tools like laser cutters, cnc mills, and cheaper materials.
If you want to learn more about Arduino, you can get a starter kit http://www.adafruit.com/products/68 and check out https://learn.adafruit.com/category/learn-arduino or other projects on hackaday.io for inspiration http://hackaday.io/list/3611-arduino-projects. It looks like there is also a meetup in Basel you might be interested in http://www.meetup.com/Forum-fur-Komputerkultur-Basel/.
Good luck!
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Hey Jasmine,
thanks for your informative reply! I already have some 3D print experiences that's how the zmorph fabricator caught my attention (seeming to be a pretty cool tool out there) The Starship-Factory is a really nice hint, I sure will check out their space when i'm back in Switzerland (in Poland right now till summer). And i'm really itching to get that arduino starter kit, since only reading about the programming is not totally satisfying ;)
Big thanks for giving me some first guide-lines, hopefully i'll be able to post some first projects not to far from now!
best regards!
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