Tiếng Việt
Man builds a web shooter just like Spider-Man’s:
Over the years there have been many Spider-Man movies, from live action to animation. They all share one thing: the ability to shoot webs. Sometimes the webs come from inside his body, as in Tobey Maguire’s version, and sometimes from a mechanical add-on, as with the Spider-Man in Avengers. The Avengers-style web shooter has real potential to be built in real life, and one man has done just that.
A 40-year-old Singapore resident who goes by the nickname Hero Tech has made his own Spider-Man web shooter. Called Web 12, the wrist device was designed and made with a 3D printer and can “shoot webs” almost exactly like Spider-Man. The only difference is that he uses thin fishing line instead of web.
Building the web shooter takes some effort, but Hero Tech has posted a video tutorial you can follow if you have the skills. If not, he also sells finished units for 139 SGD, about 2.3 million VND.
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With time on his hands, an engineering student invents an M&M color sorting machine:
If you have a friend with the odd habit of sorting M&Ms by color before eating them, this is the perfect gift. This fully automatic M&M sorting machine will save a lot of effort. It looks like a future of color-sorted candy for people with too much free time is not far off!
The M&M sorting machine is a unique invention by Willem Pennings, an engineering student from New Zealand. He says the machine had been on his to-do list for a long time, and he spent most of his free time finishing it. Designing and building it took a few months.
The machine can sort more than M&Ms. It also works with Skittles (a fruit candy) and other multicolored candies. It sorts by measuring color with a vision and color sensor, so it can sort any objects by color as long as they are roughly the same size (like candies). According to Willem Pennings, the machine takes about 2 to 3 minutes to sort a 300 g bag of candy, at a rate of 2 pieces per second.
It is very simple to use. Just pour the candy into the hopper on top and the machine starts sorting automatically. The candies pass through a sensing stage, then drop down through tubes by color.
You might think this is a joke, but it isn’t. On the student’s personal website, where he posted the invention, many people said they wanted to buy one and praised his talent and creativity.
It looks hard, but the student himself says you can build this machine at home with off-the-shelf parts. You will also need a 3D printer to make some of the sorting parts. Still, it is not a “rocket science” invention, just a project he built based on what he had learned.
People with “OCD” will probably love this machine, since you no longer have to sort candy by hand! For candies with different colors and flavors, like Skittles, you can pick out the flavors you like and leave the rest. It may seem a bit pointless, but there is no denying it is a cool invention.
Contact CT3D Group
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- CT3D Thu Duc – Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong: in3d.edu.vn – Hotline 0975 008 728 (Mr. Thai)
- CT3D District 6 – Ho Chi Minh City: 3dmaker.vn – Hotline 038 7798308 (Mr. Phuc)
Frequently asked questions
What role does a 3D printer play in DIY projects like a web shooter or a candy sorter?
A 3D printer is used to make housings, frames, gears, hoppers and custom mechanical parts that are hard to buy off the shelf. This lets makers design, print, test and revise many times at low cost before building the final version.
How does a candy color sorter detect color?
It uses a color sensor or camera to measure the light reflected from each candy, and the controller compares the reading with stored color profiles. An actuator such as a servo or rotating chute then guides the candy into the matching tube.
Can a beginner build a similar project at home?
Yes, if you have basic knowledge of electronics, microcontroller programming and 3D design. Start with a small project, use off-the-shelf parts and 3D print the mechanical parts to shorten testing time.
Which 3D printing material should I use for toy parts and mechanical models?
PLA is usually chosen for display parts and models because it prints easily and gives a nice surface. For parts that take load, impact or higher heat, consider PETG, ABS or nylon depending on how they will be used.
How can I print parts for my project without a 3D printer?
You can send your design files to a 3D printing service and have them printed on demand. Contact CT3D via Hotline/Zalo 0975 008 728 or contact@ct3dgroup.com for advice on the right printing technology and material.
Related services at CT3D Group
- On-demand 3D printing service
- High-accuracy 3D scanning service
- Custom 3D design service
- CT3D Group network: ct3dgroup.com · in3d.edu.vn – Hotline/Zalo 0975 008 728
