Here at Otherlab we’re really fond of cardboard as a prototyping material. From automobile frames to dress forms, it’s often the first thing we reach for when trying to convert bits into atoms. Eventually a prototype outlives its usefulness and gets carted down to our over sized recycling bin, ready to be turned back into something useful again.
All of this would not be possible, if it weren’t for our giant industrial pallet laser. It takes large sheets of cardboard and produces prototype parts by combining CAD with fire. We think everyone should have this capability.
Unfortunately, while the cost of such machines are coming down in price, they’re still out of reach for most people. How do we bridge the gap till then?
Cut it with fire.
We’ve been working on some experiments to see if we can bring some of the rapid prototyping capabilities of a laser cutter closer to the home hobbyist and the classroom.
It’s not much to look at yet, but things resembling parts are slowly making their way out its rollers.
Over the next few months we’ll be talking a lot more about they ways in which cardboard, computer aided design, and computer controlled machines can be used to build all kinds of interesting projects.
Everyone at Otherlab is excited for the new tools coming online, including an OMAX Water Jet, Bridgeport Mill, Monarch Lathe, DoAll Band Saw, Northfield Table Saw, and a 5-axis CNC Router. Here are some pictures of the process…
Our permit for sidewalk landscaping went through, so we broke ground this week on the project. Look for pictures soon of a beautiful botanical paradise.
Friend of the lab, Ethan Rafal, helped us dig out some gravel and put in fresh soil. Check out his kickstarter to fund his photography project, which was featured as kickstarter’s Project of the Day this week.
Friend of the lab, Jon Koomey, is releasing his book on business strategies for tackling climate change, including a foreword by Saul describing his experience in the field. We’re excited to see this timely material making its way into the hands of entrepreneurs and investors. Check out the book here and here.
The lab was feeling a bit chilly in the February rain, so we tested out some of our textile design tools to make it feel more like home. Here are the products — a pigachu plushie, a modern bean bag, a lab-issued onesie, and a 3-D quilted pillow — hot off the sailrite.
To test some design tools for “developable”, or unrollable, surfaces, we made this sweet track bike frame. After we laser-cut the parts, our friend Joel helped weld it up, and Dan tricked it out with components. Look for it cruising around the Mission.
A lot of fun artifacts have been coming out of the lab, including this hanging albatross made from two acrylic sheets. Each core was cut out on the laser cutter and hung using monofilament. Check out the old-school animated GIF of it spinning in the morning sun.
The acrylic albatross was the second version we made. The first, made from small metal tubes, is shown below being raised to its final resting place in the lab.
