DIY

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

AVR is a low-cost 8-bit RISC micro-controller:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmel_AVR

AVR libc
http://www.nongnu.org/avr-libc/user-manual/

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Phidgets are a low cost hardware implementation of a software GUI:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phidget

Often used for rapid proto-typing.


Where you can buy:
http://www.phidgets.com/

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Electronic workshops:

http://metrixcreatespace.com/

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Multiple propeller based helicopters that can be used for surveillance or photogrammetry:

http://www.mikrokopter.us/
http://www.mikrokopter.de/ucwiki/en
http://www.quadrocopter.us/

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

FXI Cotton Candy computer:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/201 ... mments-bar

Smaller than Raspberry Pi, but more money.

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Another look at 3D printing:

http://arstechnica.com/business/news/20 ... inutes.ars

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

ArduCopter is a great drone one can build:
http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/ArduCopter

A recent /. article on one's options for drones:
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/12/04/04 ... e-feasible

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Going CNC with your mill discussion:
http://www.mcarterbrown.com/forums/cust ... g-cnc.html

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Here at http://www.heeks.net, you can download HeeksCNC, a CAD/CAM application for Windows or Linux that can help you produce the NC code for your milling machine. Many happy customers are already using HeeksCNC to boost their productivity.

http://www.heeks.net/

Completely free. Python based.

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

$500 3D printer:

http://www.solidoodle.com/

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Raspberry Pi reviews hitting the web:

http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20120 ... ction.html

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Geek, metal space pen DIY:

http://www.gearjournal.com/2010/06/zebr ... space-pen/

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

Wood spalting:

http://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAn ... x?id=32484

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

"CNC Programming Handbook" by Peter Smid.

Highly recommended reading for CNC work. The 2nd edition goes quite cheap used.

http://www.amazon.com/CNC-Programming-H ... lnk-c72-20

[THE JEW (RaVeN)]

CO2 laser cutter:
http://www.imajeenyus.com/workshop/2009 ... ndex.shtml


Moshi MS10105 V4.1 USB control board will not communicate

Hi,
Just received my K40 Chinese Cheapey. Few minor adjustments to get it going due to rough transport I think.
Connected all up, test fires OK. The machine has a Moshi MS10105 V4.1 USB control board installed.
Installed the MoshiDraw V9.85 USB Left software and dongle onto a PC running XP.
Figured out how to use the software and create a four letter text word to do a test engrave.
The problem I'm having is that I cannot communicate with the machine. Get the message "Machine is not open/connected or is busy! Return and open the machine" when attempting to output.
The PC makes the usual Ding-Dong noises when plugging and unplugging the USB cable. In the PC Control Panel under System and Hardware, the USB is question marked as unknown device. Properties say there is no driver installed.
Does anyone know how/how to obtain the driver - Moshi are no help neither are the Chinese distributor of the machine.
Any assistance greatly appreciated.

OK - I found the answer!!
Searched the net extensively and found that the driver named 'MOSHILINE' is located in the folder that Moshidraw gets installed into, in my case C:\moshidraw.
Go to Control Panel, System Hardware and locate the exclamation/question marked USB icon. Select its properties and click on Install Driver. When asked where driver is located, Browse to the folder as described above. Bingo - 1 x working Chinese Cheapie! Let the engraving begin!
Next problem I had with MoshiDraw (bless its useless little socks) is that every time you came to Output a file to the machine, an error message appeared "Machine is not open/connected" etc and not outputting. Also, cannot open a Text box - most frustrating. Solution, reinstall MoshiDraw whenever this happens.
Also found that when my Wireless adapter is plugged in to PC, the MoshiDraw dongle will not work resulting in MoshiDraw being unable to run. So, unplug adapter.
Now I am wondering whether there is some other decent software that is compatible with the machines installed Moshi MS10105 V4.1 control board?
Hope this infor is helpful to someone.

http://www.chineselasersupportforum.com ... ommunicate