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Optimized Pen Plotting

Optimized Pen Plotting

My last pen plotter adventure resulted in a simple method to generate a 2d plot in python, export that as an svg, then translate that svg into something readable by my pen plotter. For my next trick, I aimed to optimize the process of exporting multiple colors.

Plotting with Matplotlib

Plotting with Matplotlib

Several months ago, I built a pen plotter from an open-source design from thingiverse and modified it to hold a different servo and be wall-mounted.

The goal of this project was to take a simple 2d plot generated in python, and export it to a gcode format that is readable by the pen plotter device.

Battletech Display Terrace Part 2

Battletech Display Terrace Part 2

I didn’t think I would be revisiting this project so soon, but the foam was already cut, and I filled up the first terrain piece with my entire collection of painted ‘Mechs. I also remembered to take more in-progress pictures, so there’s a bit more detail to the process.

Battletech Display Terrace

Battletech Display Terrace

As my collection of 3d printed and purchased Battletech figures has grown, I needed a better way to display printed pieces. This homemade tiered shelf is what I came up with.

Rav4 Roof Rack

Rav4 Roof Rack

I needed a way to transport plywood from the store back to my house using my Rav4. In the past, I have had the sheets cut small enough to load in the back of the car, but this time I wanted the freedom to cut it myself to my own specs.

CNC Camera Arm

CNC Camera Arm

With a desire to film more projects, and an itch to test out the latest MPCNC reincarnation, I designed and machined a large camera arm based on an architect lamp.

Webcam Lens Modification

Webcam Lens Modification

With the current state of mass telework and increased social distancing, finding new ways to connect with others over shared projects has become a necessary endeavor. This has lead me to upgrade my webcams, and use OBS to create a streaming setup to show-and-tell what I have been tinkering with.

Antares Launch

Antares Launch

This weekend, I got a chance to see the Antares rocket take off from Wallops Flight Facility. The facility is on the Atlantic coast of Maryland, and I am roughly 50 miles away on the west side of the Chesapeake. The mission was a resupply to the International Space Station, carrying cheese, nitrogen, and other essential items. Camera Setup My wife and I got out there early enough to get my camera setup, a simple tripod holding a Canon T3i with a 55-250mm zoom lens.
Image Scaling With Python

Image Scaling With Python

This blog is built using Hugo, a static website generator designed for quick build times and easy deployment. A static website requires no server backend, since everything is delivered in a static state to the reader (that’s you!). All code is executed on the client machine. I love the lightweight simplicity of a static website, which brings up some nostalgia for the internet of the mid to late 90s, when these types of pages were the norm.
Goin' Walkabout and DSLRs

Goin' Walkabout and DSLRs

This past week has been a bit slow. I have been preoccupied with a lot of work-related things, and was not in much of a mood to work on the usual hobbies of painting/printing/casting. While I may not have created too much, I spent a lot of time this week taking walks in the neighborhood. I suppose I could say this created a clear headspace from which to move into the next week.