Mini-360 DC-DC Buck converter $3.70 Super compact and capable, this DC-DC buck converter can knock down a voltage from 23V to as low as 1V with up to 95% efficiency. Wonderflex Heat-activated Composite Plastic Sheet $79.00 This is a heat-activated, formable polyester plastic sheet that is very popular in making prop armour and other rigid […]
Painted GraviTrack
Solar botics
March 5, 2018
We always enjoy seeing our products being modified, revamped and DIY-ed, as well as the results of these transformations.
Our customer Vera Kark provided us with some thoughtful feedback on adding mechanical tweaks to improve our Solar GraviTrack build and documentation. She also painted the brown MDF of the machine. She used tempera paint on the wood components still in panelized form, and the GraviTrack's performance seemed to be unaffected.
The GraviTrack looks great in vibrant jewel tone colours, however, we do not recommend applying paint to the hand mechanism itself. You can paint the base and the rails, avoiding the hand mechanism completely. The moisture and the thickness of the paint might affect the precise tolerances of the moving parts, and will interfere with its proper functioning. Another relatively safe option might be felt tip marker since the moisture from alcohol evaporates quickly.
Photos & video by Vera Kark
P.S. Also, a particularly bad idea is painting your GraviTrack after the assembly is completed. Even though we were using a very watered down acrylic paint, the mechanism seized up the moment the paint became sticky. Don't be like us. Take care of your GraviTrack.
A portrait of a sad stuck GraviTrack
MORE POSTS
Solarbotics at MakerFaire YYC
Are you located in or around Calgary? Do you like cool projects and neat-o people making neat-o things? Are you looking for something mega-awesome to do this weekend? If you answered yes to all (or any) of these questions, we have some good news for you: The Maker Faire Calgary is happening this weekend. There'll […]
Circuit: Stepper Motor
This is a neat little one-chip circuit we originally tuned for use with our "SM1" Stepper motors. We've presently sold out of the motor, but this circuit has proved to be a good unidirectional (1-way) driver for small stepper motors.
Friday New Product: Toolbag, Digital San...
Today we have some fun stuff to play with, mainly Sandbox and Trinket, and their accessories: Sparkfun Tool Bag Kit $34.95 A portable tool bag that includes everything to get you started. Sparkfun Digital Sandbox $74.95 The Digital Sandbox makes learning how to program microcontrollers a snap! Walk through 13 unique and interesting experiments with […]
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!
Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.
Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.