Emergency Charger

Made this for my wife too. She claims it's too big (it's not).

 

Between the learning experience of the Drachenbox One, and the DrachenberryPi configurations, I had a few parts left over, which was irritating.  It pains me to have useful components like LiPo batteries and charging circuits sitting idly in storage until another project needing them comes along.  It occurred to me later than I’d like to admit that a LiPo battery and charging circuit makes for a great project in and of itself.

Continue…

Categorised in: , , ,

Now with 100% more bland background!

I am a big fan of archery.  I have been since first taking up a bow during a P.E. class way back in high school (arguably the best part of my high school experience, P.E. or otherwise), feeling the tautness of the string as I drew the arrow back, and the sweet satisfaction of nailing the target upon release.

Continue…

Categorised in: , ,

Onshape Review

The future of CAD

So far, my experience with Onshape has been limited (because: baby), but spectacular.

For those looking for a well thought-out parametric modeling tool to make amazing things without going all-out on a professional software like  SolidWorks, PTC,or Inventor, this is it.

Did I mention that it’s free?  Yeah it is!

Continue…

Categorised in: ,

Drachenberry Pi

Should the version be 'Mark III' if I and II were only theoretical? Whatevs...

As mentioned at the end of my last post, Adafruit did indeed figure out how to get RetroPie to work using their TFT screens, which was awesome, because it allowed me to use the one I had previously purchased without issue, and finally build my own GameBoy:

Continue…

Categorised in: , , , , , , ,

Part of the driving force behind the decision to get my own 3D printer was discovering the PiGRRL project from Adafruit.

I could build my own GameBoy… WHAT?!
Continue…

Categorised in: , , , , , ,

I remember my first run-in with additive manufacturing.  It was almost a decade ago while touring the facility at my summer internship during college.  It was massive and had its own dedicated room, was expensive to own, and pricey to run.  I don’t think I saw it being used the entire time I was there, but did notice almost every engineer’s desk had small 3D printed tchotchkes like hands and buckyballs.

I was amazed by this new technology (yes, I know it’s been around for longer than a decade). and marveled at the immense potential of taking the digital and at the push of a button, manifesting it into the physical realm.  It seemed too futuristic… almost magical.
Continue…

Categorised in: ,

My dog is not a large dog.  At roughly 25 lbs and 13″ shoulder height, he’s not that far off the ground to really legitimately need a raised dog dish holder.
Continue…

Categorised in: , ,

Dragon Mountain Design. What is this, some kind of consulting firm?

No. I’m just a guy with a website, a mechanical engineer in and out of the office, and my last name is German for ‘Dragon Mountain.’ The title seemed like it fit, so again, no… not a consulting firm (but if that ends up happening at some point down the line, so be it).
Continue…

Categorised in: