The software world was held back for decades by centrally controlled proprietary paradigms, but blossomed when open source principles took hold. Today we see open source software dominating almost all aspects of software, and software designers often spend their time designing higher-level systems by using open source software as building blocks.

That success was most visibly demonstrated by Debian, a project to produce a specific distribution of the Linux operating system. One of Debian's key features was a means to quickly obtain software or software upgrades very easily by using the APT-GET command. The command pulls down not only the software you requested, but all related items it depends on. This approach was used by Ubuntu, who produce one of the most popular operating systems on the planet.

Bishop and Lipkowitz believe the same approach could break open the 3D fabbing market by making it terrifically easy for makers to access high quality conglomerations of models. The software makers went farther than just using software, however, as they built more complex software on top of simpler components distributed via APT-GET. The same forms of assembly are used to produce 3D objects, and thus the theory is that similar product complexity can be achieved.

Via Youtube (part 1), YouTube (part 2), YouTube (Part 3), Slides here and the SKDB site (Hat tip to Bryan)

Contraptor is a DIY open source construction set for experimental personal fabrication, desktop manufacturing, prototyping and bootstrapping. Various Cartesian robots can be quickly assembled from Contraptor and used as a platform for projects such as XY plotter, mini CNC machine, 3D printer etc.

One of the original project goals is manufacturability at home with only basic tools, using inexpensive materials and parts readily available in hardware stores and online, with cost in the range of $400 and without the need for a custom-manufactured kit.

 

precisely downscaled model of larger T-slot building systems. It consists of extruded aluminum beams, 1 cm on a side, and various connectors and panels that slot into the sides of the beam, making up the full MakerBeam system.

MakerBeam is developing the Mini-T standard for open source hardware. Mini-T is a scaled down form of T-slot, an existing standard in building. T-slot is widely used for prototyping, automation, and enclosure; Mini-T will do all that, and a whole lot more.

MakerBeam parts will allow for all kinds of dynamic motion as well. Hinges to animate edges, pivots for end-to-end beams, slides for beams to move along each other, and other basic mechanical connectors will be an integral part of the system.

we want it to work with every conceivable kind of gadget, widget, doohicky or sprocket out there.

• Stepper Motors
• Servos
• Hydraulics
• Pneumatics
• Microcontrollers
• Solar Panels
• Sensors
• RC car motors
• Robotics packages
• Other construction systems like "Metal Strips" and "Plastic Blocks"

With all the chatter about 3D model repositories lately, we thought we'd add another twist to the puzzle. Could a virtual world act as a 3D model repository? There are many virtual worlds available today, including Second Life and grids built on its open source cousin OpenSim, the upcoming BlueMars, There and others. Each of these services uses 3D technology in a very fundamental manner.

That said, could they act as a repository, where model-seekers visit and come away with a model in hand?

We suspect this is possible, but perhaps not optimal.

Today most 3D print users already have at least reasonable 3D modeling software on their machines, and they would not require a new way to view models. However, we suspect in the future there will be many more less sophisticated users seeking models, users who probably won't ever have Solidworks or similar 3D artillery in hand.

But they might have access to a 3D virtual world.

At that point you might imagine a novice model-seeker visiting a virtual world and walking through displays of hopefully relevant 3D models. They'd get quite a good view of the object, since they could theoretically pick it, walk through it and view it from all angles without having to understand complex 3D modeling software.

One major barrier to this concept will be the proprietary nature of some virtual worlds, who wish to "keep" the content within their grid. Second Life, for example, offers no proper import/export tools at this time.

Of course, the problem of finding the right model remains. There may be work underway attempting to automatically generate keywords for 2D images, but we're not aware (yet) of similar research for 3D models.