When I released the video with the scripts for making the signs it was pointed out that because I had moved from processing in 3D to 2D I could replace the minkowski command with the offset command.
It shaves some lines of code off the scripts, but strangely it doesn't shave any render time off despite working natively in 2D. I guess maybe the minkowski code is just as efficient with a 2D object.
Here it is for comparison and speed tests:-
//Sign body maker ...
2022-06-25 01:27:49 +0000 UTC
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It's a while since I've made a video about customising solar garden lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hPsVURhRZw
This one from Poundland is actually very good and has lots of options for improving.
2022-06-24 17:39:22 +0000 UTC
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A quicky to celebrate rolling over 900K subscribers on the main channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1-60EyLNRI
2022-06-23 19:28:49 +0000 UTC
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A video to show how to charge salvaged lithium cells properly, as opposed to the apparent trend of stripping a USB lead and using that to grossly overcharge them!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M88e1r8nvYk
Charging a lithium cell directly with a USB lead will pump in uncontrolled current and potentially overcharge them to the point of catastrophic failure.
2022-06-22 06:52:30 +0000 UTC
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That you can repair magnetrons. Not that I recommend doing it unless you really know the hazards of working with instant-death microwave circuitry.
I popped my porridge (oatmeal) into the microwave, pressed start and was rewarded with a much louder hum than normal before the unit popped the high voltage fuse on the output of the transformer.
My first thought was that the diode had failed short circuit, but testing showed that the magnetron itself had developed a ...
2022-06-22 05:13:34 +0000 UTC
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Due to the spiralling costs of fuel and materials, the owners of the Isle of Man's main bakery decided to cut their losses and close it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOthtNG2u-g
I never realised the scale of machinery they had. The closure will have knock-on effects on other companies, notably the local flour mill. It was also a significant local employer.
The Island's governme...
2022-06-21 16:05:48 +0000 UTC
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This is the unit I showed in one of the live streams. I got it to check out internally for consideration as a compact high current power supply for costume lighting where it will need to supply 12V at fairly high current for a short period of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_F2iq-lHN8
It's a logical enough approach with modules for charging and protection of the cells, plus a 5V supply...
2022-06-20 05:36:23 +0000 UTC
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I don't think it's the circuitry that is the special thing about this. It's the use of what may be standard zinc-air cells as used in hearing aids, but the cells are used in a very strange way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be9RU3PU1bw
Do zinc air cells liberate gas when passing current, while not getting their oxygen supply? Or are these specialist versions?
Some suitable googl...
2022-06-19 03:31:13 +0000 UTC
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Here's the link to the weekend stream:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEN7glMGBQA
2022-06-18 14:23:17 +0000 UTC
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It almost seems like 10 minutes of anticlimax after the amount of work I put into the script!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7AAI3ltN68
Deep down I know that this video is probably going to be a low-hitter, as it seems to be a common thing that the more work you put into a video, the less views it gets due to its more specialist nature.
2022-06-16 00:19:55 +0000 UTC
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Well this turned out well. I've modified the script to give consistent wall thickness regardless of angle, give gently rounded exterior corners to sharp letters and by using 2D minkowski processing and then extruding the resultant shape upwards as required, I've managed to reduce the rendering time by up to 10 times for complex rounded characters, even with doubled curve resolution, and the straight characters like "A" render almost instantly despite having rounded corners, even when th...
2022-06-14 02:13:15 +0000 UTC
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This little light was included as a gift with an online purchase. It turns out that it's a very common and sensibly designed light, perfect for general use and especially as a backup for emergency use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZGIfsZ4YiE
I've included a search link in the video description on YouTube. These things are only about 1.50 £$€ each, so actually worth getting as a b...
2022-06-13 21:53:56 +0000 UTC
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Tonight's task is rewriting the openscad sign maker scripts.
If everything goes to plan the new script will slightly round sharp corners, provide more consistent wall thickness on angled surfaces and best of all, will potentially reduce rendering time to near instantaneous, even for large curved characters.
That's assuming things go to plan - but that doesn't always happen.
2022-06-13 13:36:16 +0000 UTC
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There are probably many uses for these, and they do operate at 120V with reduced power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dVK5JxRTGI
When power is applied to the outer contacts the actuator will wind round 90 degrees and then stop.
2022-06-13 13:31:32 +0000 UTC
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Here's the link to the weekend stream:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLF0bwRxv00
2022-06-09 23:26:25 +0000 UTC
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A little extra stream while I'm waiting for tests to finish 3D printing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acEFgZDBXoo
This stream will probably be about 1 hour. But possibly longer.
2022-06-09 19:23:13 +0000 UTC
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Spoiler for an upcoming video with scripts.
There are two scripts. The first one makes a sign box of any height and depth you can print, and the second one makes a matching face for it.
The script should work with any font that openscad can use, and a variable called "fit" means that the printed faces drop right in hot off the printer with no need for filing of edges.
I'm just doing the final tests before releasing the scripts.
2022-06-09 03:37:38 +0000 UTC
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For some bizarre reason the disastrous steak and kidney pie video was really popular.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWQ0dexKhOo
So to buck the trend this one will probably flop
2022-06-09 02:39:00 +0000 UTC
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This video ended up being mostly about the electronic ballast for the UVA tube. But the unit is quite simple and interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YkQpB3EmYA
These units are increasingly popular in catering environment because they don't blow the flies to smithereens and spray them all over the food.
The 3D project I mentioned earlier is still being tested and will come soon...
2022-06-09 02:17:39 +0000 UTC
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If you've noticed a slight pause in the content it's because I've been engrossed in a few projects simultaneously. Just about to make a technical product video while the 3D printer makes another prototype for the project that is going to make many of you buy a 3D printer....
When you see the script for this very customisable thing it's going to blow your mind. Tiny script - massive results. Totally commercial level.
It wasn't on thingiverse, so someone had to do ...
2022-06-08 20:49:58 +0000 UTC
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Unless they intended to make an ioniser that is more suited to low level ozone production, I get the feeling that this isn't the best design.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16ARM1qo2v0
Very much a case of adding a microcontroller because they could.
2022-06-06 20:32:31 +0000 UTC
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Here's the link to the weekend stream:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW1wGHhXdiY
2022-06-04 04:20:33 +0000 UTC
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It took much longer to reverse engineer the battery circuitry than it did to dismantle the mechanical part of this tool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0IxzP-Puw0
Very interesting though. A classic unbranded Chinese tool for light to medium use.
2022-06-02 05:02:34 +0000 UTC
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An unusual and interesting device.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y14B18OMBF8
The way it works is not what I was expecting at all. It has strong similarities to some disco lights.
2022-06-01 03:13:21 +0000 UTC
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It's a ninja, and it unleashes stealthy farts when it detects light movement in the room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOw27bCi1jA
Quite a loud farty video, so maybe not safe for work.
2022-05-30 05:22:36 +0000 UTC
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