Development of the video games was my first motivation to learn programming but after time it turned into side interest. Certainly depending of the game kind and complexity there are challenging problems from all the sides of software engineering but more chunks of of it are repetitive and quite well described issues. This game was my first ever real time strategy genre, it was released in February 1999 and a bit unfairly forgotten now. I was lucky enough to get its source code, I couldn't waste such an opportunity and decided to port game engine into modern and open standards to make it still runnable without any hacks. In-game strategic management is not so complex and extended like in other RTS so demanding users may complain but anyway, game is fun to play and has some unique features. Single match can take from 5-40 minutes so it fits perfectly situations where there is a need to rest or utilize some extra free time. For me it is still entertaining even after years. Visuals of 3D graphics were quite advanced and pretty well looking for its time - now they may be perceived simple and dated. If you love real-time strategy games, sci-fi (not so far future actually) futuristic military applications, commanding and conquering - then you are going to love Machines.
Digital embroidery aghhh, some different 'art' related hobby project. It appeared in my interest long time ago when I was watching some videos about textile finishing, there was a sequence about sewing graphical details on fabrics with some CNC like sewing machine. The first thing I thought was: hmm that's looks cool and it just a electronic sewing machine, it does not look to be so complicated, probably somebody made it up. Quick search revealed a few projects, but without any sources or detailed description, sometimes it was rather buy it offer. Domestic embroidery machines solutions also seem to be relatively cheap, the stairs begin when you except faster speed, bigger work area and some more additional features. Embroidery design software prices also suggest that this market is a niche. In this article I will report and document my attempt to build this kind of machinery, this text might come in handy when you decide to clone the project.
I was looking for some simple plotter design and I found some inspiration in a few projects, but with closed or horrible sources for cloning or modifying them. Machine is intended to work with narrow variety of tools like drawing pens, small cutter knifes or lasers. CoreXY mechanics allows to higher acceleration and speeds values because of all significant masses standing in place. This entry was created mainly as a guide in assembly of this machine.
Continue reading...These pumps are cheap and widely used in most of households (in Europe for sure). Reliability due to lack of moving parts, high working pressure and low price ratio makes them so popular, besides of low maximum discharge flow. Lastly I got a few of these malfunctioning, it was economically unreasonable but surely fun to study and repair them. After such surgery machine should survive many years of intensive work.
This project was created on personal demand. Like many others open designs it is directed on being affordable, simple to copy and modify. Tool described in this article allows you to make varying size vertical coils, so it would be appreciated by Tesla coil builders, amateur electric equipment building or repair. Winder was tested on wire diameters from very thin 0.06mm to thick 0.8mm. Winding process is controlled from PC (by GUI application) connected to minimalistic electronics board with AVR micro-controller. Further, a practical procedure of rebuilding a mains transformer is described.
Powder coating is a technique for paint job known for probably fastest and best results. Needed equipment become relatively cheap except higher volume ovens. However if you planning to use it rarely, in this article you will see you how it is possible to save money and craft your own gun for about 20$ in total, reliable even for bigger, more requiring jobs.
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