Yesterday and today saw an influx of customers ordering 200mm and 100mm MakerBeamXL. Usually this means there is a project featured somewhere using these lengths. We searched the internet but could not find the project. We asked some customers and soon got the reply. VORONDESIGN is launching a new design of their 3D printer. The BOM and other information will be available soon. You can watch the video of the preview here.
Adam Savage, from Mythbuster fame, is a well known maker. For a video sponsored by Starbucks he made an aeolipile – or Hero’s engine. The engine is powered by liquid nitrogen. According to the comments accompanying the video the idea was that the engine would drive a pulley system that would pour sweet cream into Adam’s glass of Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew.
When we saw the video we suddenly realised Adam used one of our 15x15mm profiles: OpenBeam!
Adam is known to build a lot of things using a wide variety of materials. It was a surprise to see him use OpenBeam. In the video he does not mention the use of OpenBeam, but it is clear to see.
Using our profiles in the way Adam did, has two advantages. First it is possible to divide the making of the machine into separate projects without having to worry about the whole. All the created elements can always be fastened to the framework anyway. The second advantage is coming from this first advantage. You can fully concentrate on making the machine, rather than having to start with building the outside. Our beams are great for prototyping or a proof of concept.
OpenBeam has the same size as MakerBeamXL, but has a lot more nooks and edges. Some have good use for these, others prefer the smooth look of MakerBeamXL. Since the profiles are both 15x15mm in diameter they can be used interchangeable.
Roboat is aiming to create the world’s first fleet of autonomous floating vessels. The team behind the self-driving Roboat used MakerBeamXL for their prototype, see video and pictures below. For more information about the project see Roboat’s website Roboat.org
According to their website Roboat (Roboat.org) is a 5 year research project and collaboration between the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In developing the world’s first fleet of autonomous floating vessels for the city of Amsterdam, it investigates the potential of self-driving technology to change our cities and their waterways.
Roboat in front of National Maritime museum Amsterdam
From Sam we got a picture of a camera frame made from MakerBeamXL. The frame stabilises the camera housing when it’s towed behind a boat for smooth underwater footage. The underwater footage is used for Sam’s PhD studies in marine ecology. MakerBeamXL provided an affordable and practical solution, she wrote. Below there is a picture of the frame.
Stefan from ConstrAct sent us this great project. It is a see through acrylic glass whiteboard made with MakerBeamXL. It measures 2000x1000mm and has integrated LED light.
Below is a picture and you can also find a Youtube video wherein the whiteboard is used.
Peter made a Fischer Technik Unimog U400 strengthened with OpenBeam. Below you can see some pictures of Peter’s creation. On the blog of the Fischer Technik community you find more pictures and more info.
We share an office space with our colleagues from Wandy. One of them has two laptops but when in the office he wants to enjoy big screens. He wanted to place these screens higher than the added normal stands could provide. To optimise his workstation he turned to OpenBeam and created one computerstand to hold the two flatscreens. Here are some pictures.