The February 2010 WIRED magazine has an article by editor Chris Anderson titled, "The New Industrial Revolution". Anderson suggests that so-called "batch manufacturing" will turn garages into DIY manufacturing centers with the help of inexpensive tools.
When I read the article, I was reminded of all those whiz bang wonders in old Popular Science and Mechanix Illustrated which never materialized. Anderson does seem to hype the idea, but I am not in California where hype seems to sometimes turn into reality or is already reality. Even so, I think there is much in the article that should be interesting to South Dakotans intent on invention or innovation.
Buy the magazine if you don't already subscribe. I will get links into this article which can lead to some of the tools that Anderson believes will revolutionize manufacturing. To an extent, the first part of his article on Local Cars is a bit irrelevant in relation to what seems to be the main theme, so don't stop reading because you are not impressed with goofy looking cars that look as if they came out of some futuristic disaster movies. What may be meat is toward the end of the article where Anderson discusses his own company which apparently produces drone plane operating systems.
The hardware and software tools available at the following links may be resources for communities interested in developing affordable hands-on prototyping and design and manufacturing at a local South Dakota level.
Sparkfun is a source for parts and ideas , SolidWorks has several software products useful for design and documentation including freeware 2-D drafting software and commercial 3-D design tools, Arduino is a software design platform with many options..I have mentioned it in a post at Dakota Today before, CNC (computer numeric control) tools and software are available from Shopbot which claims to have CNC routing tools for any materials cutting, machining, drilling, etc, Build Your Own CNC is a desktop kit available for something in the $1000 to $1500 area depending on options and materials provided, EAGLE cadsoft including a freeware version is available for designing circuit boards, Advanced Circuits can build your circuit boards, Maker Bot is claimed to be an affordable open source 3-D printer which "are robots that make things". Cambridge University has software Proforma (Probabilistic Feature-based On-line Rapid Model Acquisition) which can apparently be used to convert a scan of a three dimensional object into a digital model..not sure what the utility of this is right now however, and information on open source software CNC projects.
And, an open source development shop or plant which might serve as a model for something similar in South Dakota if the critical mass for such exists or can be generated.
These might be useful affordable resources for converting science and ideas into products or tools for you or your companies use. Let me know if you think anything Anderson wrote or anything in this post is reality or wishful thinking fiction. My cursory viewing of several of these links suggests Anderson may be exaggerating their affordable utility... YMMV.
--- Doug Wiken...based on a Wired Magazine article by editor Chris Anderson
If you put the right person with the right idea and they find the time to invest into it??... I'm not going to say if anything is wishful or not. But the statement "turn garages into DIY manufacturing centers" caught my attention and I feel compelled to add... Before any great idea to work out of your garage completely cements itself, check into the Home Occupation ordinance. This differs from town to town. For example Sioux Falls has one, Madison does not, so if you can't find one, there probably isn't one.
The SF one has rules in there such as not using your garage for a business,controlling noise and vibrations. No day care and no kitchens. How many customers or business visitors you can have. I'll have to say, as a resident, I agreed with most of it and I was following all of it but this one rule of not using your garage.
Then also, if you apply for one and are denied, don't let that stop you. I tried to make changes to the ordinance and made it as far as the Land Use committee. I didn't succeed in making the changes, but I got what I wanted. It just needed a sit down with some city leaders to find a way to make it happen.
Some of the biggest leaps in innovation and technology were founded in the garage and eventually moved out to become big business. Go for it.
Posted by: April Schave | 02/07/2010 at 05:47 AM
I actually get "WIRED" and finally felt vindicated when I saw this cover. I get so much poo-pooing that my ideas are bunk
...well with a little internet marketing I am starting to see results for both my TURBO TILLER (turns a regular lawnmower into a tiller)
http://enviromo.com/TURBO-TILLER.html
and our Motorized Bicycles
http://www.smallenginetec.com/
someday ALL of my detractors will have to eat my shorts...
here's a couple of videos...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejsq8JQ5TPs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUJu2-fu5Kw&feature=channel
[[[ Note from Wiken: Obviously a little bit of product hype here, but videos are entertaining anyway. The Schwinn bicycle looks a lot like my 1953 version. Back in those days, guys were using old Maytag washing machine two-cycle engines with a belt driving the rear wheel via an extra rim welded to the side of the rim with the tire on it.
Interesting as well is the writer's note that via the internet, he is able to sell some of his wild and crazy ideas. The potential is there no matter where you are..perhaps even here on the plains and mountains of South Dakota. Mar 29,2010 ]]]]
Posted by: Virtuallandscape | 03/29/2010 at 07:21 PM