[I’ve been ill. It sucked but I’m getting better. For a while I lost mental capacity. I’m not saying I was brain dead (though it’s been said). It’s just that I couldn’t do much creative writing, or concentrate on a good book, or even just… “think”. Pain will do that to ya’. I wonder if the lack of mental reflection that vexed me so is the normal state for a lot of otherwise healthy (perhaps NPC-ish) humans? Anyway, just as the first thing to go was mental so too is its welcome return. I’m dying to get out there and tramp around the forest but the body heals slower than the mind… at least in this case. I fret at the rapidly expended summertime. I fume at my lack of camping and motorcycles and sailing. But, it is what it is. Rather than curse the darkness, I lit a candle. I’ve found some solace in mental activities. That’s where today’s post got its start.]
Y’all know I’ve only owned a 3D printer for 6 months. I’m pretty much a total n00b. On the other hand I’ve been working that fun little gadget like a rented mule and learning as fast as I can. There was a brief hiatus when I was well and truly out of commission, but recently I dusted off the ignored nerd-tech and thought “what now”?
Indeed, a machine that can do anything is a bit of a cypher. Since it can do anything, it’s up to you to define it’s purpose in your. I suppose the same could be said of many things; a metal lathe, a nice set of chisels, etc…
I’m old enough to remember when the first computers priced within consumer levels came on the scene. Their use was obvious in factories and accountant’s offices, but what do you do with one in your living room.
I miss those days. Back before computers became human control devices and the masses became marionettes on a social media string. But I digress.
For my 3D printer I decided my new personal stretch (?) goal would be to make 3d prints that work with electronics. Make an object that does stuff.
I’m not the first to think of such a thing. But I’m not a fan of soldering irons and circuit boards, so where to go from there? Bambulab, one of many sellers of 3D printers (and the one that has me firmly in it’s laser sights) practically read my mind.
They’d set the intellectual trap before I even wandered down the path. They called it Cyberbrick and the only reason I didn’t already have “it” was that they sold out immediately. Well played Bambulab!
“Cyberbrick” is Bambulab’s pre-packaged array of electronic bits; mini-boards with various features (including Bluetooth connectivity), solderless connectors, motors, gears, the electronic innards of controls, tiny LED lights, switches, rechargeable batteries, tiny little levers, etc… Highly refined crack to addict my nerd mind!
As part of their pre-launch efforts, Bambulab invited their willing cadre of mad-scientists (some sponsored and some not) to take this package of “stuff” and 3d print for it housings and mountings and so forth. Thus, people smarter than I turned “pile of parts” into “thing of interest”. Sweet!
Bambulab and their mad-scientist fanboys began posting “projects”. Free downloadable files guiding the creation of the 3d printed portion of the equation; often coupled with excellent documentation (sometimes you-tube videos too).
I wanted in on the fun!
There could be no more attractive lure to troll in front of a Curmudgeon. And the timing was (is?) perfect. There I was, gradually getting my feet under myself and looking for a 3d based intellectual distraction. Bambulab didn’t just set the hook, they harpooned my psyche and reeled me in!
I present to you: Cyberbrick. (It’s nestled into Babmulab’s “MakerWorld” environment. I don’t think you need a login to see it, but I’m not sure of that.)
Go ahead and click it. You know you want to.
One last note, Cyberbrick itself is nothing more than a pile of parts. You could (if you’re a friggin’ genius or very experienced) do the same thing with “off the shelf” bits. Lots of clever folks could do the same thing with a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino; design 3d components, mount tiny electronic bits, go nuts with a soldering iron, etc… I’m nowhere near that level; there are folks with enough inventive gumption to make Tony Stark look like a wimp and I salute them!
The way to think of Cyberbrick is as a beginner’s start. It’s the free hit of dopamine that will slowly ease you from a guy 3d printing model trains or decorative cupholders onto the path of full blown electronic wizardry. (None of this is mandatory. Some folks can enjoy the edges of the ocean without diving in… and go right back to printing toys and tchotchkes. That’s OK, it’s a free world.) As for me, I started with pencil boxes and little boxes but I’m well aware the rabbit hole goes deeper. Cyberbrick let me go down the rabbit hole (a little bit) without requiring a big dramatic swan dive!
Some notes:
- You don’t need a Bambulab 3d printer, you need any 3d printer.
- Cyberbrick totally eliminates soldering.
- Cyberbrick has pre-programmed software for your gadget. (Or you can program for yourself in a Python variant.)
- Much of what you put into a project can later be taken back out. You can use the bits in a different project. (Though that didn’t work out for me. Once I built my first gadget I fell in love with it and won’t tear it down now.)
- Don’t like the projects Bambulab is pushing? Choose any of the many that associated creatives have posted. They’re all free (as far as I know). Or design your own.
- One possible “ultimate level up” in this “game” is to design some 3d “object” that’s so damn cool that people want it, and then post it on MakerWorld. (MakerWorld has some sort of kickback mechanism to encourage such things.)
More will be coming. Please be patient I’m not really up to posting daily for a while.
A.C.
P.S. In case you’re wondering, I don’t get jack squat from Bambulab (or from MakerWorld). In case you’re with Bambulab or MakerWorld, shoot me some samples please!