MightyOhm

The new case for my Geiger Counter kit started with a CAD drawing of the top and bottom case panels, as shown above.

I am very fortunate to have access to a ULS laser cutter at ATX Hackerspace, which is perfect for cutting 1/8″ acrylic and has a 32×18″ bed.

I made a few quick prototypes with some scrap acrylic and hardware I had in the lab.  The version shown here is the first iteration, which had taller standoffs and no battery cutout.

Once I was satisfied with the design, I created an array of panels.  18 cases (36 individual panels) fit on a 32×18″ sheet of acrylic, which just fits in the bed of the laser cutter.

The laser cuts out each panel in the array.

Here’s a video of the laser cutter in action – the audio is a bit loud, so you might want to turn down your speakers.

This is what the sheet looks like when the laser is done.

Mmm, freshly cut cases!

Add a few screws and standoffs and this is the result:

A beautiful clear acrylic case for my Geiger Counter kit!

The Amp Hour #43 — Audacious Arduino Arguments

Our first four-way podcast!  Listen to me, Chris, Dave, and Jeremy chat about Arduino, high altitude balloons, hackerspaces in universities, the Google ADK, and the Maker Faire Bay Area.

Kudos to Skype for enabling us to actually pull this off!

Austin’s local hackerspace, ATX Hackerspace, is having a launch party this weekend.  The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov 6th from 5pm on.

I can’t make it, but I hope lots of other people will check it out.

A couple weeks ago, I had the chance to witness the birth of a brand new hackerspace while visiting Austin for a few days.

The aptly named Austin Hackerspace is located a few minutes south of downtown (on Ben White Blvd.) in an unassuming shop building (very easy to miss, look for the enDesign sign).

By California standards, the space is pretty big (insert joke about Texas here):

The founders are taking an interesting approach to building the hackerspace.  Studios are being constructed around the outside of the space.  They are renting 1/4 studio slots to interested hackers that need a place to store their stuff or work on projects in a quiet, air conditioned environment.

Access to the common areas is free (as long as a key-carrying member is present).  There are already some tools available for shared-use, such as the large CNC X-Y stage (a work in progress) shown here:

There is also lounge with a video projector for meetings (dorkbot!) and some comfy chairs.

Drill presses and other tools (which I assume will be available for use in the space) are being temporarily stored inside a large paint booth, which will also be available to members.

On my way out, I spotted some evidence that there will be some interesting hacking happening here in the near future…

Interested in helping out?   They are looking for volunteers.  More photos are here, and more info  about the space is available at austinhackerspace.org.