Commonly referred to as a “rapid prototyping machine”, the 3D printer is part of a class of machines that use additive manufacturing technology to deposit layers of material in succession. This material can be anything that can be deposited in a controlled manner (i.e. plastics, metals, cupcake frosting,….) Utilizing a controller and software that converts a solid model into a series of vector movements or CNC(computer numerical control), the machine is capable of creating 3D objects, much like the Star Trek Replicator, except not as tasty. One of the prohibitive aspects of commercial 3D printers is the price, this is where MakerBot and the RepRap movement has made such an impact.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Qualification - 3D Printer - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

A laser cutter is a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine that uses a series of lenses attached to a XY gantry to redirect high power laser light onto the material its cutting. Unlike the 3D printer, most laser cutters are only capable of cutting in two dimensions. Laser cutters have a Z axis that is used for focusing the laser for varying thickness materials. The laser technology dictates that types and thicknesses of material you can cut, whether it is fabric or steel.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Laser cutter - Google Docs
Setup Procedure is for AutoCAD 2008 and the Epilog Helix 50

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

A Light Emiting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that produces light from an electrical charge. When the diode is forward-biased, or given power, electrons free photons in a process called electroluminescence. The color that is produced depends on the energy gap of the diodes semiconductor. Today, virtually all colors of the visible light spectrum, and even some UV and IR can be produced.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - LEDs - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Solar cells, or photovoltaics, are made out of photosensitive semiconductors that convert light energy into electricity in a process known as the photoelectric effect. This process describes the interaction between light energy and the materials that make up the individual cell. Depending on how the cell is configured, conversion efficiencies can exceed 30%!

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Solar - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Integral to any electronics project, the multimeter provides a series of tools designed for electrical measurement. Although there are virtually unlimited types and brands of multimeters, they almost all include a standard set of tools.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Multimeters - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Ohm’s Law describes the proportional relationship between the current flowing through a circuit and the potential difference between two points. The formula, V = IR, where I = current in amps, V = potential difference in volts, and R = resistance in ohms, details the ratio between a constant resistance and the effect of current on the voltage output. This relationship forms the basis for many electrical circuits and helps to describe the interaction between components.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Ohm's Law - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Welding involves the joining of two materials through a process known as coalescence. Depending on the types of materials, typically metal or plastic, different welding techniques are employed to achieve an optimal bond. This skill badge will require you to have access to one of many welding tools and will assume that you can operate them appropriately while under your instructor’s supervision.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Welding - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Soldering is a form of brazing that has been the backbone of virtually all electronic devices since the dawn of the transistor. Today’s electronic components come in a variety of packages which require different soldering methods and solder types to mount. Whether you are using a simple unregulated iron or a home-made reflow oven, and with enough practice and dedication, you will be able to successfully solder virtually any joint.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Learn to Solder - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Developed as a universal system of measure, the adoption and understanding of the metric system just makes sense. Whether you are designing your next robot or measuring distance to the nearest star, the use of the metric system to describe your measurement is universally understood. Isn’t base 10 nice?

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - I "heart" Metric - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Originating in the early 1970's, the use of the phrase "hello, world" to indicate the successful compilation and execution of code has been adopted by nearly every programming platform. This badge will explore different methods for executing a "hello, world" on various platforms and aims to celebrate the starting point for your next project!

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Programming - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

CadSoft’s EAGLE PCB design software has quickly become the "go-to" suite for circuit and PCB design. With their "Lite" and "Freemium" versions, anyone can begin turning their designs into high-quality circuit boards. With a little practice and investigation you should be able to quickly produce designs that can both be produced by hand or with a professional manufacturer.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - CadSoft EAGLE - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

For years, Digi's XBee line has provided the Maker World with an easy to use wireless serial/IO bridge. Each XBee shares a common footprint (with exception to the XBee SMT) between series 1 & 2 while offering a wide range of power and antenna options. The user also has the ability to configure the network type to meet the needs of almost any project.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Digi XBee - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Dumpster diving is a skill whose foundation is built upon the age-old saying that "one [hu]man's trash is another [hu]man's treasure." It demonstrates a level of intuition and imagination that there might be something useful inside that box, vacuum, TV, computer, etc. Whether it be at a thrift store, yard sale, side of the road, or in an actual dumpster, keep your "eyes peeled" and you might find your next treasure.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Dumpster Diving - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Originating in the slums of Bangalore, "Drawdio" has entered the mainstream Makerworld through its inspirational marriage of art and electronics. Whether it be the budding Maker in elementary school or the seasoned professional, Drawdio's elegance and simplicity make it a fun and educational tool for everyone. This skill badge focuses on the understanding, construction and use of the various versions of Drawdio and explores the future possibilities of the concept.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Drawdio - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Hack-a-Day has been featuring creative hacks from “around the web” since 2004 as an offshoot of Engadget and has since become one of the Internets most prominent geek blogs. If you have or want to create a unique project, Hack-a-Day is the place to promote it. This badge focuses on organizing and documenting your project so that it can be submitted to Hack-a-Day’s tip line for posting!

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Hack-a-Day - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

The QR code is a two dimensional matrix-type barcode that has become widely popular due its readability and ability to contain a large amount of information. Created in the early 90's by the Denso Wave Company for the automotive industry, the QR code has significant advantages over conventional bar codes. Chances are, if you open almost any modern magazine, you will see companies advertising their products and providing a link to their site via a QR code. This badge will explore the origins, creation and uses of this funky symbol.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - QR Code - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Back in the early 1970’s, two engineers from TI produced the World’s first micro-controller, the TMS 1000. Although Intel had produced an earlier 4-bit CPU, the Intel 4004, it required external circuitry to operate and is therefore considered the first complete CPU on chip. The TMS was a true micro-controller in that it integrated all of the components necessary to function onto one chip and provided an economical embedded solution for electronic devices. Fundamentally there is little difference between the micro-controllers of today and the ones from the 1970’s. Their objective it to provide a low-power stand-alone computer for embedded applications. Each micro-controller contains a CPU, memory and input/output peripherals and range in speed from a few KHz to a few hundred MHz. This badge will explore the fundamentals of micro-controller design and use and how you might use one in your next awesome project!

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Microcontrollers - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

The concept of using mechanism and a power source to complete an autonomous task dates back to almost 300 years BC. Today’s robots use sophisticated computers, sensors, mechanics and power sources to complete tasks that range from a simple line-following racecar to six wheeled robots traversing the surface of Mars. This badge focuses on the components and control methods that go into the design and construction of a robotic device.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Robotics - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp

Originating from Cambridge University’s Computer Laboratory, the Raspberry Pi is a super-affordable educational computing system that has taken the Maker-world by storm. This inexpensive system-on-chip (SOC) breakout for Broadcom's BCM2385 boasts a 700 Mhz ARM with 256MB of RAM, TV, HDMI, stereo audio, USB, SD memory slot, Ethernet and 17 GPIO for general purpose hackery. Each device is capable of running a wide range of operating systems that allow the Pi to function as anything from a media center to the primary control system for a high altitude balloon. In fact, this requirements sheet was written on a Raspberry Pi Model B using a Motorola Lapdock, Raspbian and Leafpad. This sheet in particular focuses on developing a preliminary understanding of the system.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skill Badge Requirements Sheet - Raspberry Pi - Google Docs

AUTHOR:
Adam Kemp