Featured Maker: 3D printed R2-D2
Maker Geoff Pavey has created a fully 3D printed remote controlled R2-D2 robot. This project has taken almost 2 years to complete. It is made from hundreds of PLA, PLU and PETG plastic parts glued together. Assembly involved a lot of sanding, bondo, painting, more sanding etc. Motors and servos are connected to multiple Arduino boards for control. The head of the robot spins, all of the dome lights work, the panels open and the holo projectors move. The feet motors are from a motorized razor scooter. The whole thing runs on 18v Ryobi power tool batteries. The sounds and animations are run from an app on a phone and the dome and foot drives are controlled with a PS3 controller.
Featured Maker: FIRST Robotics Competition Team 8727 GLITCH 2.0
FIRST Robotics Competition Team 8727 GLITCH 2.0 is based out of Asheville High School. This rookie team is growing from the remains of the original GLITCH team, and now has over 30 members! The FIRST Robotics Competition combines the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology to form the ultimate Sport for the Mind. These high-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Under strict rules, limited time and resources, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship.
The GLITCH 2.0 team will complete the 2022 season in April and start their vigorous outreach program because they are “more than robots”. They strive to connect with their community and spread the message of STEM to all, but especially to disadvantaged or underrepresented youth. They will bring their robot to Maker Faire to allow live interactive demonstration.
Featured Maker: Lee Magination
Lee Magination is the vision of Ayran Lee, creating a variety of original 3D printed dragons and other creatures. These models have ball and socket joints which allow them to be articulated and repositioned. The dragons’ size ranges from around 12 inches to 15 inches. Each dragon has its own unique color scheme ranging from every color in the rainbow. Each design is uniquely detailed to the personality of the dragon. Some dragons have backs covered in spikes, some have a serpent-like body with four wings and some have spinning buzz saw coming out of its back.
A gallery with more examples is available at https://lee-magination.com
Featured Maker: Living Web Farms
Living Web Farms’ mission is to provide a local and global resource for organic and sustainable agriculture education and living models that people can learn how to implement in communities around the world. They host a variety of different meetups and workshops, such as repair cafes, small engine repair, tortilla making, and presentations on various agricultural methods.
Have you ever wondered what happens to plastic when you throw it in those blue recycling bins? Living Web Farms will be demoing their plastic recycling system, taking discarded plastic waste, grinding it into pellets, and finally hot-molding it into new products!
Featured Maker: Linear Clockworks
They say not to reinvent the wheel, but what about the clock? Linear Clocks are the brainchild of Lindsay Morris, a local retired software developer. They are a calm and elegant way to look at time: a beautiful wooden pointer moves across a fine hardwood bar to indicate the passage of time.
The computer-driven pointer opens up hundreds of ideas for new clocks, from a standard wall-mounted timepiece, to custom applications like a therapy office session time tracker!
Featured Maker: Alli Makes
We are so excited to welcome Alli Makes all the way from Pennsylvania! Alli Makes is a young maker who loves to create things with electronics. She will be exhibiting some of her projects such as “Flower Power”, a musical plush toy that uses touch, audio, and light to create an interactive and fun experience.
You can find more of her projects, as well as videos where she explains how her projects are made, on her YouTube channel: Alli Makes
Here is a really cool new project she made, battle bots!
Featured Maker: Zentar, Predictor of the Future
Zentar, Predictor of the Future is the brainchild of Zen Sutherland, a local mixed media artist. Zentar features a glowing electronic man mounted on top of a fantastic wooden box designed by local artist Maryanne Pappano. Filled with lights and vocal predictions, he will play Magic 8 Ball, Make random predictions, and even recite an original Haiku at the press of his big red button.
Zen will be bringing some of his other creations as well, such as the “Tickle Brain” and a “Haiku Raygun” which can generate up to 16 million Haiku compositions!
Featured Maker: Echoview Fiber Mill
Echoview Fiber Mill is a spinning mill, knitting operation, and design house based in Weaverville, NC. They produce high quality yarns and beautifully designed home goods. It all starts with farming luxe fiber from animals such as sheep, alpacas, mohair goats, and even angora rabbits. they then process the sheared fiber and spin it into yarn. Finally, they knit and weave the yarn to make exceptional products.
Echoview Fiber Mill will be demonstrating how they make and weave yarn at the Asheville Maker Faire. If you take a look at their website you can even get a sneak peek of a surprise furry guest! https://www.echoviewnc.com
Featured Maker: The ArtCrawler
The ArtCrawler is a recycled United States military vehicle that serves as a platform for audio-video recording, 3D printing, CNC cutting, and sculpture fabrication and welding, as well as being a mobile power station.
They believe that limited access to technological design tools, hardware, software, and development facilities, is a major issue facing lower and middle income students. The ArtCrawler Project aims to engage students by not only bringing these tools to different communities, but by also providing workshops and classes that show how these tools can be used.