Book Scanning Machine

Over the past couple of months, Hacklab has been having conversations with the Toronto Public Library, especially people at the Toronto Reference Library and the Digital Design Studio. A lot of us LOVE the TPL, it’s one of the largest public library systems in North America, and I personally get a lot of use from it – probably a new book every 2 weeks or so, through their hold system, which wonderfully moves the book from whichever of the 98 branches it’s current at to your branch :-).

A few weeks ago, about a dozen employees of the library visited hacklab for a tour of our space. You can read their wonderful hacklab blog post where they talk about the visit. They peppered us with questions about our 3D printer, the workshops that we run, the philosophy and operation of the space, etc. A good time was had by all!

Sherlock Holmes Chess Set

More recently, they invited us to tour the Toronto Reference Library, one of the largest branches of the Toronto Public Library. You can see a few of the shots I took here: Toronto Reference Library Flickr Set. Sadly of course I don’t have any photos of the awesome view from the transparent elevators! We got to see a lot of the behind-the-scenes places in the library, including the printing room, the preservation and digitization area, and an archival area. We also saw some of their computer classroom areas, the really nifty TD Gallery, currently showing a Sherlock Holmes exhibit (including very cool Sherlock Holmes chess set!), and the all-glass study pods.

They are interested in having some kind of “makerspace” area in at least one of the branches, and so they are touring lots of related things in and around Toronto. Hacklab was pleased to help them out, and if you think this is something the Toronto Public Library should do, I’m sure they’d love to hear your support!

For the last few months, I’ve prepared free vegan food for Hacklab on Tuesdays: Eggplant bhartas, spring rolls, tofu in spicy peanut sauce, boc choy in garlic sauce, curries…

Thai Red Curry, Conconut Rice, and Regular Rice (Feb 12, 2013)

(continue reading…)

Two weeks ago hacklab was able to host students from the Linden School, a local all-girls school.

Soldering blinkies

It was super awesome. They:

• designed 3D objects in class, which we 3D printed for them in advance
• soldered simple blinkies
• saw 3D printers in action
• saw hacklab’s different tools
• learned how to pick locks (some)
• used hacklab’s laser cutter (some)

Afterwards, some of the students described us as the best field trip they’ve ever gone on. More pictures follow!

(continue reading…)

Trainoverlord on the test track.

This weeks post is of projects that have come threw the space or live in the space that move, fly, or simply put have motors and are really neat.  Click more for the 9 photos of Trainoverlord, a Quadrocopter, Line following robot, and a sick 6 legged robot I am calling Mr.Roboto.

(continue reading…)

Assembly in Progress.

(continue reading…)

This weeks post is starting with a bang, quite literately. Or is it a boom?

Starting things with a bang. The pyrotechnic device shown is used to create a waterfall effect. A number of such device was used at the opening ceremony's of the Olympic games .

This weeks post is a little bit more wordy then weeks of the past, due to making up for missing a week and providing a glimpse into what the author gets up to, as well as how last weeks adventures relate to what I do at the lab and a bit of a geek out. Last weeks post was missed due to being in London, Ontario, volunteering at the annual CITT trade show and conference.  CITT stands for the Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology, its primary purpose is to link industry and individuals together so that effective communication can happen, as well as create closer ties to those within the theatre community to industry.

CITT does this via workshops, classes, tours, certification, open forums, AGM, and providing a venue annually that moves across the country so that over time each province will host the event. Last year CITT annual conference was in Victoria, BC. This year it was in London, Ont. Next year it will be in Calgary Alberta. With that said, I care to get to my point that the theatre industry is full of creative individuals. Not only artistic but electronic and electrically savvy who are alternative thinkers.

I am a theatrical technician, an artisan, an artist, a geek, as well as have been known for being a muse, and a bit nerdy.   Some are surprised that an individual so heavily in the arts would be so interested in hacking, and making. But in reality these things go hand in hand. Many effects and sets that support a theatrical production take months and if there are special allowances years to design or gain the skills to be able to effectively execute safely and realistically.

(continue reading…)

Last week one of Hack Labs members finished some much needed repairs to his stilts. The stilts specifically needed a spacer/pivot, to be built to repair the joint. Not everyone made it down stairs to watch him try out the fruits of his labour so here is a GIF to show what many missed.

Build Photos of the replacement joint.