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Introducing the Parallax Inc "Inventor's Wands!" — Parallax Forums

Introducing the Parallax Inc "Inventor's Wands!"

Maddie the InternMaddie the Intern Posts: 81
edited 2011-10-04 10:56 in General Discussion
What do you think?

-MaddieTheIntern
«1

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2011-09-02 15:15
    It's nice seeing the magic in operation.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2011-09-02 15:17
    Wow! All you need to do is press the green button?? I really need to get a green button!

    Those are very cool! Matt as my address. Thanks! :lol:
  • Roy ElthamRoy Eltham Posts: 3,000
    edited 2011-09-02 15:20
    I want one of those! :D
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-09-02 15:24
    Gotta have one! At first I thought they might have BS2 pinouts, or a command summary.

    What's all that silly E/IxR stuff? :)
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2011-09-02 15:41
    That looks cool, though I hope this isn't the "mystery project" that we have been waiting for!!
  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    edited 2011-09-02 15:41
    Ah, the Mystery Project unveiled at last!

    -- Gordon
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-09-02 15:45
    Can't wait for the Mystery Protractor !
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-09-02 15:52
    I'm holding out for a Parallax pocket protector and circular slide rule!

    -Phil

    Those rulers are very nice, BTW! :)
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2011-09-02 19:23
    I want the ruler and the pocket protector!
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2011-09-02 19:45
    Very nice. Any chance we can get the file? I know there are a couple of us with lasers.
  • Maddie the InternMaddie the Intern Posts: 81
    edited 2011-09-02 20:12
    This was more of a brainstorm with Matt G over lunch about cool stuff we could make in the laser, the Mystery Project is much more awesome than this (but my lips are sealed)!!

    We hope to use these Wands as promotional items... Stay on the lookout for them soon!

    -MaddieTheIntern
  • sylvie369sylvie369 Posts: 1,622
    edited 2011-09-02 20:29
    Maddie, I hope you're aware that most jobs aren't anywhere near as cool as yours. No lasers, no desktop Gatling guns, no Mystery Projects, just emails to answer and meetings to sit through. Be sure to enjoy what you've got.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2011-09-02 21:50
    I want one! Awesome!

    OBC
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2011-09-03 08:44
    I know a few EE 101 kids here at UNI who could use a few as they are not measuring up ........ Oh the pun ..


    Peter
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-09-03 09:17
    A Parallax pocket protector would be nice. One of those rulers would be handy for my French maid to discipline me with as well... I just wish I had the machine that made them.

    What I truly cherish is my Parallax screw driver. It has saved the day many a time.
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2011-09-04 11:20
    Excellent!

    I love lasers, and I'm stunned at how the technology has scaled to the office like that, having worked on industrial sheet metal class lasers in the early 90's. (We cut acrylic and cardboard on those for various things, but it was very expensive to do)

    After watching this, I'm struck by the idea of a "PCB", where the key circuit details are etched in there, holes created, component outlines rendered in the acrylic, such that somebody could make interesting kits, point to point wiring style. Prolly not all that relevant, but I sure would build a few. I've seen people do this with paper, glue and perf-board. Hmmm...
  • DaveJensonDaveJenson Posts: 375
    edited 2011-09-05 10:39
    I want one!
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-09-05 11:13
    potatohead wrote:
    After watching this, I'm struck by the idea of a "PCB", where the key circuit details are etched in there, holes created, component outlines rendered in the acrylic, such that somebody could make interesting kits, point to point wiring style.

    That's the method I used initially to prototype the Parallax Mouse Sensor:

    It kinda works, but you really have to be quick with the soldering iron to keep from melting the acrylic too much. Anyone who sold kits based on acrylic circuit boards would get a lot of them back.

    G10 would work better, but it doesn't laser very cleanly. Paper/phenolic (e.g. formica) is another possibility, but it takes a lot of power just to cut through something 1/32" thick, and it leaves a black ash behind, as with G10.

    Copper-clad G10 won't laser at all, BTW, with a CO2 laser.

    -Phil
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2011-09-05 11:14
    Me too!!!!
    '
    I'd also like to have a Parallax pocket protector.I would retire my old Swagelok pocket protector I use now.
    '
    This is working to a point Maddie,I'm not on that other thread.
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2011-09-05 11:38
    @Phil, yeah didn't really consider the heat issues. Nice job on your proto though. Exactly what I pictured in my mind. Yeah, it's pretty amazing what does cut at those power levels.
  • bsnutbsnut Posts: 521
    edited 2011-09-05 22:12
    I want the ruler and the pocket protector when you send me the $150 in Parallax products from the Spinneret Contest.
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2011-09-06 11:33
    This is working to a point Maddie,I'm not on that other thread.

    That's my girl! Keep it up Maddie :-)
    -Matt
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-09-07 01:15
    Pocket Protector, Pocket Protector, Pocket Protector.................................

    It seems to be an idea that is ready to deploy. I'd love to have one with the Propeller logo on it. And I am sure there are a lot of kids that would think it very cool. The rulers are nice, especially that cool blue plastic - but Pocket Protectors have a long, long geek tradition that spans generations - handed down from father to son (or daughter - Do mothers hand down such things?).

    While I don't need one, I do miss my double log slide rule. Maybe a Pocket Protector will fill that emotional void.

    Beside, the Pocket Protector would be an interesting promotion at a convention or gathering of Parallax users. Is Maker Faire or something about to happen? Go forth and advertise.
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2011-09-07 06:10
    I bought the "last" slide rule in my area about ten years ago. Just recently I fought black pocket protector as amsci.com
    But I would certainly re-buy these items if they had the parallax log on them.

    Wand, protect protector, and slide rule; sounds like a techno-swag prize to me.

    But I'd like the wand right now, please. :)
  • jdoleckijdolecki Posts: 726
    edited 2011-09-07 10:33
    Question?

    Could you etch a circirt design.

    Then fill the track with solder paste ( or whatever)

    heat it up

    instant circirt board!
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-09-07 10:58
    Silver conductive epoxy squeegied into the etched grooves might actually work. I don't know if you can solder to it, though.

    -Phil
  • Maddie the InternMaddie the Intern Posts: 81
    edited 2011-09-07 12:35
    @sylvie369:

    For sure! This is an incredibly unique company and I'm enjoying every moment. There are few like Parallax.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,245
    edited 2011-09-07 14:48
    Cool! I want one! (And a ruler too.)

    Paul
  • Maddie the InternMaddie the Intern Posts: 81
    edited 2011-09-08 08:39
    A pocket protector? Hmmm, that's definitely in the realm of possibilities...

    Glad to see a positive response to the rulers! They were fun to make and "Parallax Gear" is always exciting.

    Back to the laser room now!
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-09-08 08:58
    Maddie,

    Please be very careful: most pocket protectors are made of vinyl. Cutting or engraving vinyl with a laser produces chlorine gas, which is not only poisonous but highly corrosive to electrical components. Cutting vinyl will also void Parallax's Epilog warranty. 'Probably better to have them silkscreened or pad printed.

    -Phil
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