Open source kit to develop miniature CNC robot
Piccolo, an open-source design for creating a tiny programmable robot, enjoyed the opportunity to introduce thousands of young people to the joy of creation at the first ever Maker Faire in Lisbon, Portugal last weekend.
The hand-held robot, created by Diatom Studio, is a 3-axis robot that anyone can build for themselves using specs and guides available online here. Piccolo is designed as a fun way to experiment with the possibilities of CNC (Computer Numeric Control)-driven robots, able to create anything from small sketches to 3D fabrication depending on the tool heads attached.
UK-based Diatom joined more than 100 projects at the inaugural Maker Faire. Billed as the “Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth”, the Maker Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, which has spread across the world after beginning in San Mateo, California, in 2006. The Faire welcomes any inventor with a creative project that tackles challenges in fields such as crafts, manufacturing, entertainment or pure technology.
Designer and researcher Tiago Rorke, one of Piccolo’s creators, comments: “The crowds at Maker Faire Lisbon were fantastic and we received a really intense level of interest in the Piccolo, especially from families and children just getting interested in electronics and robotics.”
“We try to show Piccolo in a way that is friendly and engaging, and the project really exists to show people that they don’t need to use a larger, more complex machine to begin learning about CNC and experimenting with digital fabrication. Maker Faire is a perfect place to get this message across because people can see the great range of projects and processes that use this technology, but are also invited to interact, learn and participate with their own ideas.”
You can download the specs and guides here. Visit the Piccolo website for more information.
