Update One
Hi everybody, We have received a lot of positive feedback and are super excited to find so many like-minded people. Obviously there is a certain style to making this project happen. A large part is technical but the other part is bringing interested people together and producing killer documentation. In the end this is about demystifying a technology and making laser cutters simple (read: cheap, stackable and awesome).
We will be posting updates and details as we go. To start things off, here is a diagram of the basic Lasersaur components. We are looking at using OSC over Ethernet as the main interface of the machine. This might be surprising but has the big advantage that it will make it super simple to talk to the machine from all kinds of computers and programming languages. Rather than thinking of it as a device where you load your files to for cutting we want to push the idea of thinking of it as a robotic extension.
What this means is direct control from software in real-time. While we are big on having lightweight Blender and Rhino plugins we also want to be able to easily control the machine with any custom app (think Processing, OpenFrameworks, VirtualAwesome). Currently we are working on hooking up a tablet which controls Lasersaur in real-time.
In the diagram there is also something called the "Lasersaur App". It is an open source cross-platform app with bare essentials for cutting design files. As for the types of supported files we still haven't narrowed our choices down (but welcome request). Check back as we will post more details of the Lasersaur App soon.
Please keep spreading the word, blog, twitter, facebook. The project depends on your support and belief in livin' the dream.
Thanks again for your interest!
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May 24, 2010 -
Jul 8, 2010
- 2 created · 13 backed
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- Website: labs.nortd.com
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Beta Access. Join the revolution during the beta stage. You will get full access to all design documents and software several month before the project goes open source. Be part of it!
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Represent. Get Beta Access PLUS Lasersaur stickers. The will be lasers and sauruses on there for sure. What can be better?
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Alpha Access. Get exclusive access to design documents during the alpha stage. This will allow you to follow the construction process closely and get your fingers dirty earlier then the rest of the kids on your block.
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Alpha Access & Schwag. Get Alpha Access PLUS a personal super secret surprise (its awesome, we promise).
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Alpha Kit. Get Alpha Access PLUS a super limited edition kit with all the parts to make a laser cutter from motors, frame, and laser! This will dramatically reduce the complexity of sourcing all the parts. We even might have a challenge who can first encrave their name into a slab of marble.
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Chronicles of the revolution: The Book. Hardbound, limited edition, documentation, behind the scenes photographs and never before seen building plans. Where the process is just as interesting as the result.
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"Gold-plated" laser glasses, custom-designed by Nortd Labs (that's us). Perfect if you want to support the laser lifestyle but remain anonymous. These are your VIP playa' trophy.
Comments
Creator Antivigilante Renaissance on May 28, 2010
I'm a renaissance-anary!
I do documentation. I'd love to help.