iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Please tell me that I am not the only one that goes on Aliexpress just to see what neat things that I had not even considered buying!

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Perfect alignment every time. Upgraded my ComMarker B6 with a digital scale to take the guesswork out of defocusing. Use the focus cone to set true zero then dial in exact, perfectly repeatable offsets for color engraving. #LaserEngraving #3DPrinting #ComMarker #MOPA

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Calibration complete. The first picture, I was dialing in the settings to make a mark light enough to get a nice distribution. I made an adjustment. I then checked my adjustments as shown in the second picture, and got it dialed in.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Built a focal calibration tool for my ComMarker B6 MOPA laser! 🎯 • Right: Level plane for quick coarse focus. • Left: 5mm sloped ramp with 50 divisions to micro-tune focus down to 0.1mm precision.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I wanted to bring some more precision and accuracy to doing color laser engraving with my ComMarker MOPA laser. I got a vertical axis digital scale to be able to calculate deltas more easily.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

My son and I have been experimenting with the ComMarker B6 60W MOPA fiber laser today, working on...

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

And now the third Hesai Lidar is functional. This makes for one Hesai 64 and two 128's.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

I have my second lidar up and running. This is the Hesai Pandar QT128 up and running. I had to use Wireshark to find the IP address of this one, but it is working very nicely.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Here in my local area they have created a fantastic commemorative park and pavilion of the decommissioned USS Cincinnati, a Los Angeles class attack submarine.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

It is alive! Hesai PandarQT 64 LIDAR viewed through @kitware.bsky.social 's LidarView. I need to start playing with this more to see how I can do some mapping of large structures and what things influence the overall precision/accuracy of the measurement.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Anyone have experience with Velodyne Lidar unit repair? I have a VLP32C that I got of ebay. It spins up, my webcam can see the lasers shining on the walls, but it does not communicate over ethernet and there are no activity lights on the ethernet port.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Anyone have a favorite surface mount power module? Requirements: -SMD -No other components required for functionality (no resistors, external caps, filters, etc) -5v, 500-900mA output -12v input

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

I am reprinting a lampshade that I designed almost 8 years ago. This time I printed both pieces in PETG with a 0.8mm nozzle. The first time, the clear was printed in PLA and at 0.4mm. The green PETG was still wet despite drying it, so I will need to reprint it.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

What can you do for ~$3 in filament? Custom print a shelf to hold your NAS, Router, and Doorbell Base Station. Over Christmas break, I was able to clean up all of our wireless networking space such that it is a much cleaner installation and in a better location for speed and space utilization.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Am I the only one that uses drawing to maintain focus during classes or talks? I find it helps me to focus on what is being said while being able to ignore other outside distractions. This was my latest sketch of my Santa hat and an ornament on a wood floor.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Continuing with my concept development for an RC 1:72 @BMT_Defence SSGT submarine. I have found a clean path for wiring as well as making the fins and propulsor shroud separable. The only compromise is using externally visible fasteners for the shroud.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Today's efforts. BMT Defense SSGT concept had a rotor between structural components. Challenging for a 1:72 model! Needs to be: -Structural -Separable for assy and maintenance -Pass wires for control -Water tight Not a trivial task. Grey bar 1" x 5" (25.4mm x 127mm) for scale

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Had fun over the last few days laying out a hull plane installation for an RC model of the BMT SSGT concept from a while back. I have three different models that will all need an installation like this. I find PowerPoint is a great tool for quick layout.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Sometimes it is the small things. I was able to design cup and handheld scanner holders for forklifts for some friends. Here is the latest batch for them. About 18hr and 750g of ABS for two sets.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Anyone know where I can get a used Hesai connection box and cable for the QT128 devices that I just got off ebay? Conversely, anyone know of a good Automotive Ethernet (1000BASE-T) to standard ethernet converter for a good price?

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

When I go ebay sniping I win... 3 for 3. Now lets hope that one of the three is serviceable. What am I going to do with three lidar units you might ask...? Well that is a great question. In the words of the wise Tevye, "I don't know"...

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

I am back on the microscope project. First up, putting the mount ring on the lens adaptor. It was ~ø1mm too big & needed a hole for the lens release button. 3D printed a shim & used my 60W fiber laser to cut through the ~5mm thick AL to expose the lens release button.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

@hackadayofficial.bsky.social the hackaday.social site has not been working for me for a while now. I am not sure of the best way to report things being down except through a different social media site.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

This weekend parts came in for the microscope build. Reusing a motorized lift that was a replacement part for my laser that did not end up being used. Coupled to a geared lens positioning system. Then attached to a mount ring. @ubermeisters.bsky.social @gregsaunier.bsky.social

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Initial test shots. iPhone 8 as the test subject. The iPhone screen has a 326ppi resolution. The lens was approx 6" (150mm) away from the screen when taking the picture.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Working to get my Canon 100mm Macro lens working with the Pinefeat adaptor. So far so good. I have gotten through the calibration, now to get that into the file so that autofocus can work.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Can't say that I have seen this before. Upload much faster than download. Down is supposed to be a Mb connection, but something is up.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

This time under the microscope is a brass gear. It is ø9.4mm, 0.2mod, 45 tooth gear. Each tooth is about 0.4mm tall. In this method, I used a cleaning pass to remove oxides off the surface. That produced a very interesting stippling effect around the cut.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Any of my Cincy friends have a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens that I could borrow? Will be used indoors under very controlled conditions. I want to see how it will work as a digital microscope lens when paired with a Pinefeat adaptor to the RasPi High Quality Camera sensor.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

New digital microscope came today. First look is at a tiny encoder that I cut on my laser. The windows are .0027" (.07mm) nominal sized. Some things that immediately jump out are the surface oxides and potential remelted. This view gives me ideas on future process improvements.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

My most recent laser 0.2 module gears 0.8mm thick. ø9.4mm - 45 teeth ø3.4mm - 15 teeth I was also able to remove them from the frame and confirmed that they mesh. I still need to make some minor changes on the process, but custom gears in about 30min.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

What are people using for lower cost digital microscopes lately? Thinking about getting the TOMLOV TM4K-AF Max. Main use cases are electronics rework and visual inspection of features under 0.001" (.025mm). Willing to spend up to $450 if there are substantially better features.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

I went small with the laser. I got the features to 0.008" (.2mm) down to 0.004" (0.1mm) very successfully. From there, I tried to go down to 0.002" (0.05mm). The second picture is the best I could get on my current setup. I might be able to do better with a 70mm lens vs 150mm.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

I am excited about this. This is the first engineering part that I have made on my ComMarker 60W MOPA laser. It is about .010" thick, and with deep engraving, it made it through in 3 passes. I am very happy with the result. Now I need to finish my laser enclosure for it.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

I "upcycled" our small, Ikea kitchen table. Originally intended to be a temporary table while we moved, but ended up being around over a decade while our son got older. The legs were fine, but the top was falling apart. Bought a piece of granite and then hand polished the edges.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Finally able to get ST Micro MEMS Studio up and running. I am planing on using the LSM6DSV16X Accelerometer and the LPS28DFW waterproof pressure sensor for my current RC submarine effort. This tool will allow me to refine the sensor register settings and then import to my code.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I made a workstation for my @anycubic.bsky.social printers and Wash & Cure station. The Wash & Cure station pulls out so you reduce dripping on the floor when moving models from the printer to wash. There is a power strip on the back and I will add one to the front for support tools.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

I had a steering bushing break on my lawn tractor. I decided to have a bit of fun and do a 3D scan and then convert that into a 3D cad model. Tomorrow I will print it, install it, and then mow the lawn.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

I print a glider today on my @bambulabglobal.bsky.social H2D. It is printed from ASA. I am going to try ASA Aero next as well as making it in a larger scale. It flew well. www.thingiverse.com/thing:5531814

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

My latest use of Reality Capture in an off use method to extract key points from a wide variety of pictures that have been collected from the web. As can be seen, they do not lend themselves to photogrammetry. Despite this, I am able to extract the Control Points in 3D space.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

@stim3on.bsky.social I just came across your "Ward's Midget" photogrammetry effort on the Japanese Type A midget submarine. Very well done. What tools do you use for your photogrammetry efforts? sketchfab.com/3d-models/ja...

sketchfab.com

Japanese Type-A (Kō-hyōteki) mini submarine

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Found this guy while clearing the yard of honeysuckle. It is always fun to see nature right in my backyard!

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

A quick scan that I made with my Revopoint Miraco 3D scanner in about 10 min. I needed to get the shape of the button to create a matching piece that will hold a small garage door opener.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Sketching new project. Inspired by the lilly of the valley plant, this will be a desk lamp. The green parts will be hand made from copper and then given a patina. The bells of the flower will be made of glass. The base marble and frosted glass that will backlight the marble.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Testing to see if my pictures keep going black after posting them. This is a picture of a submarine that I was doing some dimensional analysis on in Inkscape.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Vacation means submarine CAD work. This week, working on the Kairyu. Despite having original, or near original source data does not always mean that it is right. This is the hardest part of the process. It is always interesting to find errors in original source data.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Finally making progress on the Kairyu design. I started a few years ago, using some low resolution and very distorted plans from the US Naval Technical Mission to Japan. I now have official copies of plans for quite a few aspects of this boat.

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

We had a fox visiting the backyard after the snow

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Anyone else getting a bunch of adult themed bots following them in the last three days? I have reported them to @moderation.bsky.app, but they are still live so far. Some reusing the same profile pic, and most riffing on the same basic handle with variations in the @"name" in most cases

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Aeroengineer1 @aeroengineer1.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

We made another functional 3D print. We got a bird feeder that identifies what type of birds come to feed. We have put our bird feeders outside the kitchen table window because it keeps the squirrels out of the feeder. This new feeder did not come with a window mount, so we had to design one.

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