Boxes boxes boxes!

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Boxes Boxes  boxes!  This Saturday i3 will be packing the space into many boxes, if you have boxes bring them.  We need boxes to prepare to relocate i3 Detroit in the upcoming weeks.

We will start taking down the decorations and equipment to pack everything into easy movable boxes.  Then, within the next couple weeks, transport to the new 8,000 sq/ft facility located in Ferndale.

The new facility will be a place where robots roam free. Grazing among the vast plains of creativity, co-existing in relative dimension and space, while engineers modify and perfect their power wheels racers.

If you don’t have any boxes, pledging to our kickstarter will help us cover our deposit and bring you the tools and community to your backyard.

Look out for a massive open house and party in May but feel free to stop by at anytime to see the progress and potential of this new space.

Electronics class Sunday 2pm: Oscillators

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This Sunday, there will be an electronics class meeting from 2:00 to 4:00.

Last week we covered a lot of theroy, and in the end build a single transistor driver for a piezo buzzer. We connected these to a function generator and made some audible beeps.

This week, we will be building an oscillator so we don’t need the function generator. We will talk about capacitors along the way, and go in to detail about how a nontrivial circuit works: the astable multivibrator. This is the same circuit we used to flash two LEDs a few weeks ago, but this time we will be making it oscillate at audio frequencies.

Anyone (member or not) is welcome to attend.

Bob Ross Paint-Along Rescheduled

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Unfortunately, we have to cancel the Bob Ross Paint-Along classes scheduled for this Saturday.  We have a conflicting event during the same time that requires the full attention of the group (stay tuned for an amazing post on that).  Look out for a rescheduled class in early May.  Thanks to everyone who RSVPed.  You should be receiving cancellation emails today.

Rookie roboticists: Rockstars!

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Remember those two FIRST robotics teams who spent so much time in our shop this winter? Well, now it’s competition season, time to shine! Oak Park’s team 1216 (the Knights) has been around for a few years, but because of graduations, all the students in the program were rookies this year. Clawson’s team 3302 (the Turbo Trojans)  is a brand-new team this year. But they’re rookies no longer! Having taken to the field this weekend in Ann Arbor, both teams got a chance to compete, and 3302 went all the way to the semifinals.  Congratulations to all involved!

This year’s game is played with two alliances, each composed of three teams, facing off against each other. In the photo, team 3302 has just taken the field with their partners. The atmosphere is tense and impatient as spectators and competitors alike wait for the green light that starts the game. Video of the actual matches will be up soon…

Both teams will compete again in Troy on March 26th and 27th. Come out and cheer them on!

The week ahead: Soldering, Maker Faire, Machining, Jam Session

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Just a quick glance at the schedule:

Monday: Nothing scheduled yet. Come hang out if the space is open!

Tuesday: Electronics meetup, no RSVP required. Theme: Soldering iron clinic — tip tinning, cleaners and holders, the role of flux in the soldering process. May also get into the other gear on the bench. I’ll try really hard to have the doors open by 7; somewhat earlier is likely. BYOSI if you want specific advice!

Wednesday: Maker Faire Detroit planning meeting at the Detroit Main Library. Expect i3 to be pretty quiet…

Thursday: Metal Machining class part 2.

Friday: The monthly Unusual Musical Instrument Jam Session, same time as PS:One does theirs. Bring noisy stuff! Also, FIRST competition begins in Ann Arbor. Also, new-member orientation — if you’ve been wanting to join, get here!

Saturday: Go cheer on team 1216 Oak Park Knights and team 3302 Clawson Turbo Trojans at the FIRST regional!

Sunday: Electronics class, piezo noisemakers. 2-4pm.