Prototyping Workflow using the Silhouette Portrait

Long the tool of choice of scrapbookers and wedding invite makers, the humble electronic tool is finding itself more and more a part of industrial design workflows. Known to many as a Cricut machine (Cricut being a company that manufacturers these tools, think Kleenex versus tissues or Windex versus window cleaner) these “CNC knives” are very…

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GoR 21: Not Your Grandpa’s DIY

Gears of Resistance Episode #21 for 17 April 2016   http://greenshoegarage.com/podcast/GOR/2016/GOR_0021_17APR16.mp3   This week we cover: Arduino MKR1000 Hackster.io Johnny-Five.io JavaScript Robotic Framework MPLABX Xpress IDE Embroidered Antennas Sewing Loops Mandrels (for making wire loops and coils) Silhouette Portrait 2D Design: Pixelmator  |  AutoDesk Graphic 3D DESIGN: SketchUp   |  AutoDesk 123D Design Pepakura Designer Matboard Airbrushing Super…

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PCB Milling Workflow

After months of trial and error, I am finally getting decent single-sided PCBs milled with X-Carve.  I am currently using 5 apps: EagleCAD, Pixelmator, SuperVectorizer, AutoDesk Graphic and Inventables’ Easel.  Here is the workflow I am using from my MacBook: EagleCAD to draw up the circuit Edit > Net Classes Width to 0.04 inches or…

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