May 11: Workshop — Build a Bottle-Cap Contact Mic
The CMKT4 Team mods an original gameboy. Photo by CMKT4.
On May 11th, HeatSync Labs will be hosting a workshop from the travelling circuit-bent band CMKT4 where you can learn to build your own piezo-electric pickup and listen to a live set as the your finished build dries.
Join the members of the circuit-bent rock band CMKT4 for a workshop on building your very own EconoMIC Bottle Cap Contact Microphone (from Creme DeMentia). CMKT4 will show you how to solder up a piezo-electric pickup and house it sturdily in a recycled bottle-cap housing of their own design! Stick around for a set from the band as the tool-handle dip on your freshly built contact microphone dries. Additional take-home kits and other surprises will be available, come build a mic and see and hear some of the circuit-bent instruments you've read about on www.GetLofi.com up close.
Bring your own instruments and objects to amplify!
Additional kits will be on sale for $10, and we'll have fully assembled mics in several varieties for sale as well. We'll have some other fun goodies also. Interested onlookers are encouraged to donate if they don't want to build a kit.
About the Instructors:
CMKT 4 (from DeKalb, IL), the makers of Creme DeMentia Contact
Microphones, have traveled the US teaching their workshops. In July of
2010, they attended the Detroit Maker Faire, which gave them a glimpse
of the growing hackerspace movement. Shortly after, they had
developed a kit for building their contact microphones in a workshop
setting. They introduced their workshop at OmniCorpDetroit. Since
then, CMKT 4 has taught workshops at 40 hackerspaces across the US, as
well as several galleries and other venues. From Crash Space in LA, to
As220 Labs in Providence, RI, the band has been canvasing the country
in an effort to leave no hackerspace behind. CMKT 4 now offers a
second workshop (Circuit Bending 101: Build a Bending Buddy), and has
made return visits to several hackerspaces. The workshops are intended
to provide a unique perspective on DIY electronics, while encouraging
the creative use of recycled materials. Make sure not to miss CMKT 4
next time they come to your town!
Switching EL Wire
Nate's custom printed EL Wire driver. Photo by Nate Plamondon, all rights reserved
Once I had the board(s) laid out, it was time to actually make the thing. At HeatSync Labs, we have a few methods available for creating PCBs. My favorite so far is using the laser cutter. Unfortunately, the laser is unable to cut or etch copper, so we use black spray paint as a mask.
First, the copper is covered with a layer of black spray paint. Once dry, it’s placed on the laser cutter’s bed, and the design file is imported to the control software. Since the software isn’t very well-written, importing requires several file conversions.
Last month in pics because it happened
- Jasper tests the SEM's vacuum chamber using plasma and ions! Photo by Jasper Nance.
- Tim installed his light sensitive Mesa Creativity Festival installation in the front window. Photo by Nate Caine
- Just the remnants of a late night at the lab. Photo by HeatSync Labs.
- Yet another one of the interactive art exhibits that was on display at the Mesa Creativity Festival. Photo by HeatSync Labs
- Ryan McDermott welded a coffee table together at the lab. Photo by Ryan McDermott.
- Robert Bushman repurposed a turntable to make a fire tornado. Photo Ryan McDermott.
- Ryan Rix is almost done with his high power model two rockets. Photo by Prescott Ogden
- Colin and Jacob are done with another prototype of their LED watch. Photo by Colin Ho
This Friday: Hot Topics Hits HeatSync Labs
Come hear about our budding neighbors and more this Friday! Photo by Will Bradley
What: Hot Topics at HeatSync Labs
Where: HeatSync Labs, 140 w. Main Street, Mesa
When: Friday March 9 at 7:30PM
This Friday is second Friday! You know what that means, it's time for our unfortunately named Hot Topics speaker series! Come see what projects people in the lab are working on and find something awesome to work on yourself!
Our roster so far is:
- Chad Stearns: Electronic Music Box
- Will Bradley: LED Matrix Kit
- Jeremy Leung: Xerocraft Shenanigans
- A mystery prerecorded video that is tech related. Oooooh!
- And you?
If you want to present on friday drop us a mail on this google groups thread and we'll hook you up. We won't be able to market for you beforehand, but we can get footage and get your video on the Tubes of You.
Along with the talks tomorrow we also have the Mesa Festival of Creativity having its opening night. This even thas pieces from some of our very own members and shares a lot of the same maker spirit found at the Lab.
All HeatSync Labs meetings are open to the public for free; Cover charges are for Scottsdale night clubs! If you really want to give us money though, t-shirts, membership and sponsorship subscriptions will be available and hustled aggressively by our volunteers.
HeatSync Labs is located east of Robson on Main Street at:
140 W Main St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
Last Month in Pics Because It Happened
- Shawn Pierce and Craig Corbin put together an Egg Bot for Easter! Photo by HeatSync Labs.
- Will jams out on his guitar in preparation of the PLAY event. Photo by HeatSync Labs.
- Glass is fused at Holly Schineller's Glass Fusion workshop. Photo by HeatSync Labs.
- Ryan works on the motor tube for his 52" model rocket. Photo by Ryan Rix.
- Erica built a theremin! Photo by Erica Weems.
- Will is building a robot using drills! Photo by Will Bradley.
- Jeremy and Will went down to Tucson for the Xerocraft grand opening. Photo by Will Bradley
- Joey got a package from Instructables! Photo by Joey Hudy.
Welding! Learn it now!
This could be YOU! Photo by Dawn Nakaya.
This Saturday!
At 11am: http://guestlistapp.com/events/88680
or 5pm: http://guestlistapp.com/events/88689
Meanwhile at the White House…
Local Maker Joey Hudy shows off his Marshmellow cannon to the President. Does this photo really need a caption? Photo by Kevin Lamarque, Reuters
Joey Hudy, local 14 year old maker of awesome, was at the White House this week for the White House Science Fair. Joey's inventions and hacks have won him awards and sponsorships at the various maker faires and now even a trip to the White House. Congratulations Joey!
(Feb 26) Glass Fusion Workshop
Fused Glass Photos, photo by John Groseclose, All Rights Reserved
HeatSync Labs has another class coming up! This time around, Holly Schineller will be giving an introduction to warm glass fusion.
What is Warm Glass?
Warm or Fused Glass are general terms that loosely cover most actions involving glass and a kiln. These include:
- Fusing (two or more pieces of glass heated to about 1480 degrees F until they melt together to become one)
- Slumping (using a mold in the kiln to change the shapre of a piece of glass)
- Casting (melting many small pieces of glass into one larger shape)
In this 2 hour+ workshop you will learn a brief history of fusing, the basic rules of fusing (like what glass wants to do, can and cannot do) and how to put together glass to recreate what you have in your mind.
You will get the chance to cut your own glass if you wish. The work will be fired off site. This is a simple workshop to let you experiment with some different types of glass and see how they fire up. If you plan on taking the next level class then use this as an opportunity to create test tiles for your more advanced (and expensive) piece. The next level class will be offered at Holly’s home studio to have easier access to the kiln.
2 weeks after the class (likely sooner but we’re just being safe here) you can pick up your finished 3.25 square slumped dish and other small items you made during class such as magnets or pendants.
To attend you must sign up at our guest list link: http://guestli.st/85836
Instructor
Holly Schineller attended both the California College of Art and ASU to complete her degree in Studio Art. Her commercial work has been focused on Glass Fusing for the last four years. Her work for pleasure includes drawing, painting, and occasionally street painting. You can see some of her commercial pieces on Facebook under Life With Art.
(Feb 6-8) Mini Lathe Certification Class
The HeatSync Labs Mini Lathe, Photo by Ryan Rix
HeatSync has another class coming up!
In this workshop the participants will learn the basics of turning metal as well as safety and the specifics of the HSL mini lathe. Operations will include turning parting, facing, boring and drilling on both aluminum and steel. After class you are encouraged to stay and utilize the skills you've been learning.
Bonus: This class will also serve as certification on the HSL mini lathes and the possibility of working up utilizing the 12x36 lathe.
What you bring: Please arrive in closed toed shoes and short sleeves and with long hair tied back. Also bring any materials you would like to explore turning.
What you leave with: Whatever you turn or part!
YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS WORKSHOP:
Monday - http://guestlistapp.com/ (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday - http://guestlistapp.com/
Wednesday - http://guestlistapp.com/
Jasper Nance has a been developing our metal shop over the last year in her effort to realize the HeatSync Labs Scanning Electron Microscope project. An electrical engineer by trade, she also enjoys making her own rocket engines, taking microsecond photos of bullets in flight, exploring drops of water under light microscopes, and spending time with her wife and cats.
(Wednesday) Arduino Night
The DEFCON 19 Electronics Badge, photo by Ryan Rix
This Wednesday is Arduino hacknight at HeatSync Labs!
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