Metrix Create:Space

You may have heard on the Social whatsits that Chase and LivingSocial are awarding 12 $250,000 grants at Mission: Small Business.    We heard about it too, and it seems legit. Now we’re trying to get our hat in the ring because that is a lot of money that we could use for awesome stuff.  There is one day left for voting, and then the panelists get to judge who gets the cash.  To qualify, you need 250 votes and an essay about all the awesome stuff you would do with the money.  We’re working on the essay, but we need the votes or it is moot.  You trust us to do something awesome right?

To vote for us, it is simple.  Go to the Mission: Small Business site.  Log in to the “Log in and Support” side using your facebook account (it doesn’t ask for lots of permissions, its just an authentication).  Search for metrix and click Vote next to Metrix Create:Space.

That’s it.   Maybe tell a friend.

We need about 80 votes by tomorrow.  you folks can swing that right?

Also, since I mentioned it. 

You know we’re having a big ol launch party for OpenBeam tonight at 8 right?  Adult beverages, and awesome building materials, lasers, cnc dinosaurs. Wonderful people. Make sure you are there.

Have you always wanted to cut on the laser, but don’t know how to use a program that allows you to create the right kind of file? Inkscape for the Laser Cutter is happening this Monday, June 18 from 7-9:30PM.

This class is for beginners who have never used Inkscape before. I will be teaching you all the basics of this free vector imaging program so you can create your own laser cut projects. At the end of the class, you will receive a 3”x5” piece of birch wood and cutting time to practice your new skills. Call us (206 357 9406) or come by the shop to register. This workshop is $50. Please bring a laptop with the latest version of Inkscape installed and a mouse with a scroll wheel. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Always wanted to make your own custom objects out of silicone, urethane rubber, urethane plastic, wax, or a variety of other materials?

Come to the Intro to Casting workshop on Tuesday, July 3, 7-9:30 PM.

Casting is a fabrication method that allows you to replicate existing object as well as create completely new ones from digital designs. You can create toys, mechanical parts, and project prototypes of varying complexity and detail.

The workshop will have two parts to it. In the first half, you will learn how to make a silicone mold from an existing object. You will be able to pick up the cured mold the next day after the workshop. The second half of the workshop will focus on casting an object, which you will be able to take home with you at the end of the workshop. In the process you will learn casting techniques as well as tips and tricks for various casting challenges.

The cost of the workshop ($50) includes one silicone mold and one urethane plastic object. Please bring a small (2”x2”x2”) non-latex rubber based object with at least one flat side for the mold-making exercise. To sign up, give us a call (206 357 9406) or come down to the Metrix Create: Space shop on Broadway.

Have you always wanted to make your own mechanized noisy toys? Have some more practical projects in mind?

Come to the Intro to Arduino workshop on June 26, 7-9:30 PM.

Arduino is a user-friendly microcontroller platform that lets you work with a range of inputs and outputs to create robots, awesome light shows, household improvement projects, music instruments, interactive environments, and whatever else your imagination might dream up. The workshop covers the hardware of the board as well as how to start talking to it by writing simple code. The hands-on exercises will go over the basics of using information from inputs and controlling outputs. No programming experience necessary. Basic electronics experience is helpful but not required. Please bring a computer with the Arduino software installed to the workshop. You can download it on the Arduino website: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

The workshop cost ($60) includes all the materials (Arduino board+circuit building components). To sign up give us a call (206 357 9406) or come down to the Metrix Create: Space shop on Broadway.

Awesome things come in tiny packages, like electronics!

Come to the Intro to Electronics workshop on June 19th, 7-9:30 PM.

You will learn about a range of standard electronic components and how they fit together to make things work. Through hands-on exercises, you will learn some of the essential theories of electronics and will get to use them to build a series of circuits. This class is great both for total beginners as well as those who might need a refresher on the basics. The cost for the workshop is $50 which includes all the materials. To sign up, give us a call (206 357 9406) or come down to the Metrix Create: Space shop on Broadway.

Can’t wait to try out 3D printing? Not convinced that 3D printing actually exists? Need custom characters for your next stop-motion animation? Come learn how to make your very own 3D drawing files for the 3D printer with OpenSCAD. 

The workshop will be held on Sunday, June 17, 2-4 PM.

This workshop, designed for beginners to 3D modeling, will teach the basics of OpenSCAD. No CAD or programming experience is required. We will cover the user interface, basic shapes, transformations, Boolean operations, and exporting for 3D printing. When we are done you should have the knowledge to make basic models and be able to understand other people’s files.

What to bring:

Laptop with OpenSCAD installled. (available here: http://www.openscad.org/)

Mouse with scroll wheel (optional) - a scroll wheel makes zooming easier but it is not required

To sign up give us a call (206 357 9406) or come down to the Metrix Create: Space shop  on Broadway. The workshop rate is $50 which includes a small powder 3D print.