Oct 11, 2016 | By Tess
For all makers and 3D printing enthusiasts out there, here is a roundup of some of the coolest 3D printed gadget projects we’ve seen last week. From a hacked Nokia 1100 cellphone, to a 3D printed OpenRC Tractor, to geometrically stunning 3D printed chocolates, we just can’t enough of what’s been happening in the world of 3D printing. Check it out:
If you happen to be one of the many people with an old brick of a cellphone lying around, you might be surprised to hear that there may be a way to repurpose it and turn it into something cool and contemporary. As maker Daniel Davis demonstrates in a Youtube video, he successfully hacked an old Nokia 1100 (you know, the world’s best selling phone handset) and turned it into a functioning, though admittedly bulky, smartwatch.
As the maker explains in his step-by-step tutorial, he was able to take apart his old Nokia cellphone and reuse both its LCD screen, and its vibration motor. From there, Davis was able to connect the screen to an Arduino using a few resistors, and installed a bluetooth module programmed to receive phone and text notifications. The DIY smartwatch, which displays the time and date as well as notifications, is equipped with a 3.7v rechargeable battery and is enclosed in a 3D printed case and watch strap.
The maker does advise, however, that if you attempt to make your own DIY Nokia 1100 smartwatch, you might have better results using a thinner battery and a circuit board with surface mount components (to cut back on bulkiness). Either way, however, the project could be a fun way to repurpose and up-cycle your old cellphone that’s lying around.
Imagine there was a way to visualize how your bank accounts are doing without actually facing the numbers and having to check your bank balance on a daily basis, which as we all know, can be a very stress-inducing chore. German designer Peter Sörries may have come up with an interesting and novel solution with Flux, a 3D printed wall-hanging pendulum that lets people visualize and see in simple terms how their bank balances are fairing.
Essentially, the 3D printed device consists of a round body and two cords which hang from it—the left cord represents your savings account, while the right is your checking account. As you spend your money, the dev...
SOURCE: 3ders.org ( go on reading...)
