If you didn’t make it to New York over the weekend to witness the hordes of makers from around the globe show off their invention hopefuls or actual marketable products, then you can browse through Electronics 360’s photo collection.
Some Background
If you aren’t in-the-know about Maker Faire or the Maker Movement in general, let me explain. (Or check out “10 Quotes That Embody the Essence of the Maker Movement”.)
Thanks to innovations and technologies such as 3-D printers, laser cutters, design software, and desktop tools, more and more Americans have been able to take part in the rise of “making.” What do makers do? They make – pretty much anything: robots, stationary objects, clothing, they experiments with 3-D printers and drones and circuit boards and electronics. You name it, makers are making with it. In addition to the tools out there are resources that teach people how to use the tools. Combine that with the increase in collaborative networks of maker fanatics, crowd-funding sources, and an influx of makerspaces to engage in creative development, Americans are now designing and building whatever -- whenever they want.
The first Maker Faire launched in the Bay Area in 2006 and confirmed the popularity of making. According to Maker Media, which published Make: magazines and products Maker Faire, 215,000 people attended the two flagship Maker Faires in the Bay Area and New York in 2014, with 44% of attendees first timers at the Bay Area event, and 61% in New York.
The family-friendly event combines food, displays, shopping, and hands-on fun, allowing aspiring entrepreneurs to show off new technologies. The events also showcase innovation and experimentation across a plethora of STEM-related industries.
So, what went on at this year’s World Maker Faire?
Pretty much everything: e-textiles, wearables, 3-D printing, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, robots, aerial sports and drones, and some sculptural kinetic vehicles.
Young makers gathered to display their skills and many kids came holding the hands of their parents to get up-close with the technology being showcased.
ONO 3-D Printer made another appearance at World Maker Faire. The smartphone 3-D printer was unveiled in 2014 from the idea of making 3-D printing accessible for everyone.After 2 years of work, ONO has developed and grown into the first 3-D printer of its class. The company aims to put 3-D printing into the hands of new users and professionals alike.
ESPN now airs the newly born sport of drone racing. But at World Maker Faire, attendees got to witness the sporting event on a smaller, but still exciting, level.
Drone racing in action.
Maker Pipe is an easy-to use system of connectors that pairs with inexpensive electrical conduit you can find at any hardware store.
Maker Pipe.
The FRC 806 Xaverian High School Brooklyn Blacksmiths showed off some robotic tricks.
The Brooklyn Blacksmiths' robot was driving around.
Orion Fredericks, an artist who deals mainly with metal, brought his giant fire-breathing creature named Gilly.
Orion
Then there was WAZER, the first waterjet cutter that cuts through any material. The WAZER team showed off the printer’s compactness.
What can you print with a WAZER? Take a look.
The Italian company that introduced us to WASP – the 3-D printer that can construct entire homes – was there too showing off its printer.
WASP 3-D Printer
Voltera was there showing off its circuit board-prototyping machine.
Print your own circuit boards.
Radio Shack had an entire tent at Maker Faire dedicated to DIY drones. Attendees lined up to make their very own drones with some of the company’s hobbyist kits.
Radio Shack's Tent
There were some eye-grabbing 3-D objects being printed as well:
3-D printed rocket, anyone?
3-D Printed Chair
