Metrix Create:Space

If you are a foursquare user, you may have noticed that the...

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:35:26 -0400

If you are a foursquare user, you may have noticed that the Mayor of Metrix Create:Space gets half-off 3D Printing, and we occasionally give things away for people with fun numbers.

Thanks to a few of our friends, it’s never been easier to get that Mayorship. Stumble.to is a service provided by Eric and Ian that automatically checks you in when you walk in and have your WiFi device with you (laptop, phone, itouch, anything with a MAC address really).

Now, Casey has just announced the addition of Nike+ support. Now all you need is the shoes that cover your feet (provided they’re electronically chatty) or a Nike+ sport sensor in your pocket.

We’re the first venue to deploy this, so let us know what you think!

The winner of our leet Foursqare Check-In Challenge is Matt...

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 01:23:00 -0400

The winner of our leet Foursqare Check-In Challenge is Matt Towers! Matt, stop by so you can redeem your sheet’s worth of free lasertime!

Here’s an oxymoron in action, a fail whale that works. ...

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:09:42 -0400

Here’s an oxymoron in action, a fail whale that works. Our member Haven Skys has been playing with the idea of laser etched acrylic circuits, and has built his first prototype. Silver conductive ink for the traces and a deep etch gives not only a circuit, but a working schematic styled resistor. Add in a CR2032 battery and a couple of surface mount LEDs and you’ve got a working LED flashlight that shows off the win that is fail.

(Still) Upcoming Workshops for August and September

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:56:00 -0400

This is just a reminder even though we’re halfway through this sunniest of Seattle months, we still have plenty of workshops left to take in August in addition to the workshops that have already been scheduled for September. You can see what we’ve got lined up below:

Inkscape for Laser Cutting
Saturday, August 21 2-4:30pm
Cost: $50 for non-members

This workshop is an introduction to Inkscape, focusing on the tools needed for laser cutting. It is appropriate for those who have never used or have limited experience with Inkscape. The last half hour of the class is supervised design time where you can create your own 3”x5” design and have it cut it out in 3mm thick birch using the laser cutter.
This workshop requires a laptop with the latest version of Inkscape installed and a mouse with a scroll wheel.

Intro to the Arduino
Saturday, August 28 2-4pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop will cover the basics of the Arduino. We’ll go over what it is, what it can do, and why you’d want to use it. We’ll also go over a couple of basic programs. This course is great for people who’ve never programmed before and have no microcontroller experience. We’ll give you an Arduino, a breadboard, and some simple components.
This workshop requires a laptop.

Arduino Programming
Sunday, August 29 2-4pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
Now that you’ve gotten some familiarity with the Arduino, it’s time to learn how to program the thing. We’ll cover programming basics like functions, loops, and conditionals. We’ll also talk about how to use classes, though we won’t be writing any.
This class requires an arduino and breadboard.

Introduction to Electronics
Tuesday, August 31 7-9:30pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop covers everything you need to know to get started in electronics. We’ll start from the basics of electricity and work our way up to using integrated circuits. Fading, blinking, and dimming LEDs help demonstrate key electronics concepts. You’ll leave this workshop with a kit of everything you need to build the circuits we cover.

…And in September…

Advanced I/O for the Arduino
Sunday, September 12 2-4pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
The importance of the Arduino is mostly in how you can interface it with the rest of the analog world. We’ll talk about using analog inputs to sense light and sound. We’ll also go over using PWM to control the brightness of LEDs. Lastly, we’ll cover how to use servo motors. This class comes with several sensors and other components.
You’ll need a breadboard and Arduino.

Arduino Robots
Sunday, September 19 2-5pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
This last Arduino workshop will wrap everything from the other workshops together into an interesting project. We’ll spend the class integrating sensors, motors, and various programming techniques into a line following robot car.
We’ll give you most of the supplies, but you’ll also need everything from the other three workshops (which you can buy separately if you only want to take this class).

Metrix Gives You Wings!

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:02:00 -0400

And behold, the latest project by Alec Wadzita:

These were cut on the laser from several different sheets of veneer, glued together and clamped while it dried, and then finished with a two-part resin. They are destined to be made into a pair of matching barrettes. And yes, we usually have birch veneer around for lasercutting if you decide you want to make something like this yourself :)

Thingiverse is Awesome!

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:30:00 -0400

When Ry came in with his daughters to do some lasercutting the other day, they reminded me that Thingiverse is awesome. They cut this pretty little table, some tiny keys, and this cute little standing elephant, all from files off of Thingiverse. There are tons of neat plans and files like this on the site made for the MakerBot or the lasercutter.

Thingiverse is more than just a place to find fun lasercutting projects; it’s made to promote sharing. If you have a cool design on file, you can upload it to Thingiverse and share it with the world. We here at Metrix like sharing so much that we’ll give you a 20% discount for anything made on the MakerBots or the lasercutter from a Thingiverse download. Share and save!

Metrix: Create Space in Seattle Weekly's Best of Seattle 2010

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:56:12 -0400

The title of the article is “Matt Westervelt: Best Anarchist Criminal Parasite”. But don’t worry, it’s a great writeup - Margaret Friedman from The Weekly did a really good job describing what we do and why we’re awesome :)

Kraft Nite Special - Super Free Fabric Funtime!

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:52:11 -0400

Due to a gift from the furniture store gods, we’ve got lots and lots of lovely upholstery fabric samples here in the shop. And this coming Tuesday night at Kraft Nite, we’re going to give them away for absolutely free. If you come down on Tuesday (8/10) between 6pm and midnight to work on crafty things, and you too can take your pick of shiny pretty fabric squares.

August Workshops - with a sneak peak into September

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:59:00 -0400

We have our standard workshop offerings in August and we will be bringing you a few more exotic ones in September. Here is the lineup for August and a taste of what will be available in September. If you would like to sign up for one, please come by the shop. If you have already been by, you are welcome to sign up over the phone as well. If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you!See you here soon!

Inkscape for Laser Cutting
Thursday, August 12 7-9:30pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop is an introduction to Inkscape, focusing on the tools needed for laser cutting. It is appropriate for those who have never used or have limited experience with Inkscape. The last half hour of the class is supervised design time where you can create your own 3”x5” design and have it cut it out in 3mm thick Birch using the laser cutter.
This workshop requires a laptop with the latest version of Inkscape installed and a mouse with a scroll wheel.

Inkscape for Laser Cutting will also be held on:
Saturday, August 21 2-4:30pm
Cost: $50 for non-members

…And in September…

Dave Cole's Amazing Wooden DC Motor

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:33:00 -0400

For those who haven’t been following our blog religiously, Dave Cole is one of our PBDH regulars and a bit of a lasercutter addict. His newest project is a fully functional DC motor made entirely from Metrix Create: Space lasercut wood and a handful of parts from the hardware store.

Dave says he plans on making the kits available at his Etsy store once he gets the design all shiny and vintage science-y looking for mass-production. I wonder if we can find a way to get some in our vending machine…

July Workshops!

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:12:19 -0400

And now the post you’ve all been waiting for… our July workshops!

This month we have four exciting opportunities for you to get your feet wet creating 2D designs you could then cut out on the laser etcher, using electronics, and learning how to use the Arduino prototyping board— all getting you well on your way to making something really awesome!

Inkscape for Laser Cutting
Saturday, July 17 2-4pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop is an introduction to Inkscape, focusing on the tools needed for laser cutting. It is appropriate for those who have never used or have limited experience with Inkscape. During the course, you will create your own 3”x5” design and have it cut it out in 3mm thick Birch using the laser cutter. This workshop requires a laptop with the latest version of Inkscape installed and a mouse with a scroll wheel.

Inkscape for Laser Cutting will also be held on:
Thursday, July 22 7-9pm
Cost: $50 for non-members

Introduction to Electronics
Saturday, July 24 2-4:30pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop covers everything you need to know to get started in electronics. We’ll start from the basics of electricity and work our way up to using integrated circuits. Fading, blinking, and dimming LEDs help demonstrate key electronics concepts. You’ll leave this workshop with a kit of everything you need to build the circuits we cover.

Intro to the Arduino
Thursday, July 29 7-9pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop will cover the basics of the Arduino. We’ll go over what it is, what it can do, and why you’d want to use it. We’ll also go over a couple of basic programs. This course is great for people who’ve never programmed before and have no microcontroller experience. We’ll give you an Arduino, a breadboard, and some simple components. This workshop requires a laptop.

A Furry Neighbor Takes His Leave

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:42:47 -0400

On Tuesday, the furry neighborhood attraction made his exit…

One limb at a time.

And then there were none.

What will go here now?

One of the questions we get about the laser is “What do...

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:31:06 -0400

One of the questions we get about the laser is “What do you make with it?”. Recently, I’ve been showing off our card motors as a thing that we’ve designed, but it really isn’t about what we make, it’s about what you make.

Whether you’re into electronics or earrings, games or gizmos, the laser can help you make your thing. It’s fun to watch too, so we’ve added a laser camera to the shop. Now you can watch your job cut from the comfort and silence of the workspace.

If you have an idea, but haven’t been able to figure out Inkscape, we’re offering an Introduction to Inkscape for Laser workshop next Saturday. You’ll learn about vector graphics, what the laser expects to see, and how you can get your design to come out awesome.

It works! Thanks to Gabe for his awesome breadboarding!...

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:00:40 -0400

It works!

Thanks to Gabe for his awesome breadboarding!

Remember kids, too many amps make smoke!

Procrastination can lead you down a pretty funny path sometimes....

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:34:00 -0400

Procrastination can lead you down a pretty funny path sometimes. A lot of you have asked us about flyers, business cards, brochures, and we’ve mostly just shrugged and pointed at the website. Those things are important in a business, and it’s not like I don’t know that, but they’re fairly low on the stack of important things to do, and as I’ve said many times, I’m interrupt driven.

Last night, business cards jumped to the top of the stack because we’ve been doing some work for the Seattle Central Creative Academy Portfolio Show and around 6PM or so, we figured out we didn’t have anything to hand out at the show. We have some nice veneer and a laser, so the most straightforward thing in the world for us to do is engrave and cut a business card. Right?

So since this is one of those ‘straightforward’ things, and we have a big sign that says MAKE SOMETHING AWESOME on the wall, we started bouncing around ideas of what would make an awesome business card. Would it be rounded corners? Or maybe a cool die cut gear or something? Should it fold up and become something else? The hours started to tick away. How about making something useful? What can you make useful in a 2”x3.5” rectangle anyway?

I started to wander down the path of a DC motor. A simple fold here, a bit of wire, a magnet. This could maybe work. Duncan and I pulled out the notepad. To make a DC motor, we’d need to wind a rotor, stick some magnets on the side, and have brushes. Kind of complicated. Brushless DC might be simpler; more awesome. 11:30PM, time for Inkscape. With Duncan driving and an evolving idea, we start figuring out what we have at the shop, and whether or not we can do this in the time we have left. Magnet wire? Yes, we have 5lbs of it. Magnets? hm. only a couple, but good enough for a prototype. Time for calipers, some wacky design and more caffeine. By 3:00AM, we have a design. Cut, assembled and Photographed.

Tonight we’ll see if we can drive it with an Arduino. Maybe add our actual information to the card. In the meantime, I’ve started in on a simple veneer card. a 3mm plywood press-fit brushless DC motor business card might not fit in everyone’s wallet.

Another Workshop in June!

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:55:16 -0400

For those of you who would love to learn to create files that can be used by the laser, this workshop is for you!

Inkscape for Laser Cutting
Saturday, June 26 2:00 - 4:00pm
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop is an introduction to Inkscape, focusing on the tools needed for laser cutting. It is appropriate for those who have never used or have limited experience with Inkscape. During the course, you will create your own 3”x5” design and have it cut it out in 3mm thick Birch using the laser cutter. This workshop requires a laptop with the latest version of Inkscape installed and a mouse with a scroll wheel.

For the workshops available this month, scroll down to the entry “June Workshops.”

See you here!

Bespoke Jewelry by Dave Cole

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:05:00 -0400

And now for another pretty project by Dave Cole of the Phinney-Bischoff crowd. Dave gets his paper patterns cut here at Metrix and he takes them home to his rolling mill to make rings and pendants. He’s just started an Etsy store offering his bespoke jewelry at remarkably reasonable prices.

The freshly lasered paper patterns

Ready to go to press, or rather, the mill

A whole lot of finished (almost) finished product :)

Finally, shiny pretty things.

Karst, a site specific performance work (in progress) by Meghan Trainorra

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:54:00 -0400

Meghan has been hanging out at Metrix for the last couple of weeks working on set of exoskeleton arm extensions for use in Karst, her installation performance art piece. She’ll put them on and use them to set off sensors along a hallway, which in turn will cut sound elements. I can’t wait until it’s done and we can see some footage of the exoskeleton in action!

The Vegan Alternative to Hunting Lodge Decor

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:33:00 -0400

Say you have a handsome lodge or clubhouse with empty walls that are just begging to be decorated, but you feel uncomfortable hanging out with the heads of dead animals. What’s a person to do? Why, obtain a deer trophy fabricated from of rustic and animal-friendly birch, of course!

One of our regulars, Alec Wadzita, put together the design. He’s offering the smaller birch deer trophy (~22x16x17cm) for $100 and the larger birch deer trophy (~26x37x29cm) for $150. If you want to get your hands on one of these beauties, get ahold of Alec at vegantrophies(at)gmail.com.

June Workshops

Sun, 30 May 2010 22:27:00 -0400

Summer is a great time to start learning how to make things. With the extra daylight (and time, for those of you on summer break) you can learn to make some amazing things. We’re here to help you out with that. June will have our standard electronics workshops and Arduino workshops.

Intro to the Arduino
Saturday, June 12 from 2:00 to 4:00
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop will cover the basics of the Arduino. We’ll go over what it is, what it can do, and why you’d want to use it. We’ll also go over a couple of basic programs. This course is great for people who’ve never programmed before and have no microcontroller experience. We’ll give you an Arduino, a breadboard, and some simple components. This workshop requires a laptop.

Programming for the Arduino
Sunday, June 13 from 2:00 to 4:00
Cost: $50 for non-members
If you can make your way around the Arduino IDE but you get lost when it comes to programming it, this workshop’s for you. We’ll cover programming basics like functions, loops, and branches. We’ll use these programming tools to make an interactive LED light show. This class requires an arduino and breadboard. This workshop requires a laptop.

Introduction to Electronics
Sunday, June 27 from 2 to 4:30
Cost: $50 for non-members
This workshop covers everything you need to know to get started in electronics. We’ll start from the basics of electricity and work our way up to using integrated circuits. Fading, blinking, and dimming LEDs help demonstrate key electronics concepts. You’ll leave this workshop with a kit of everything you need to build the circuits we
cover.