News

In October last year, Intel and Arduino announced a partnership to bring the former's shiny new Curie system-on-chip module to the maker market using the latter's board layout and ecosystem. The result was the Genuino 101 - known as the Arduino 101 in the US, for complex trademark-related reasons - and it promised a number of advantages over the Uno on which its physical layout was based. Now the board has hit the UK, we've had a chance to put it through its paces to see if Intel has cracked the maker market at long last. To save you some...

Computer numeric control (CNC) is an incredible tool for makers, whether it's driving a laser cutter for wood or plastic, plasma cutter for metal, a milling machine, or even a pick-and-place system. One area in which makers are under-served, however, is in nesting tools for saving material - and when you're cutting in expensive acrylic or steel, that can be a problem. Large companies have access to specialist nesting software, which works by analysing the shapes to be cut and placing the smaller shapes within the larger shapes. The result is a jumble of parts with very little wasted space,...

It's sometimes said that to a maker with a hammer, everything looks like a nail - and to a maker with an Arduino, everything looks like a microcontroller project. It's this thought process that leads many makers to build their own tools using Arduinos and compatibles, from custom-built devices like the Arachnid Labs Tsunami and an open-hardware solder paste dispenser to upgrading and repurposing off-the-shelf devices like the classic toaster oven reflow station. Now there's a new entry to add to the list: an Arduino-controlled table saw. Using an Arduino Pro Instructables user Rocket Scientist was able to upgrade his...

Here at oomlout we're complete suckers for a well-designed printed circuit board, and nobody does that better than Boldport. Saar Drimer's talent combined with his excellent PCBmodE software leads to impressive creations, from the Widdop and Seahorse to multi-coloured PCBs. Now, there's a new way to get your hands on Boldport's artistic outpourings: the Boldport Club. Currently available as an open beta, the Boldport Club provides members with shiny Saar-designed electronics kits on a monthly basis. Unlike many projects-by-post subscription services, Boldport's isn't necessarily aimed at newcomers: some kits include surface-mount technology skills, while others - like the Cordwood, on...

Calling all makers: you should have all recovered from the end-of-year excesses that marked the close of 2015, so it's now time to give you your annual reminder that the Maker Faire UK is once again to be marked on your shiny new calendars. Before you panic: there's no rush, as the event isn't until the 23rd and 24th of April, but the call for makers is now open and you only have until next Monday to get your name on the list. Known, entirely fairly, as "the greatest show and tell on Earth," the UK branch of the Maker...