One of the projects I have been working on is full body tracking for virtual reality. Virtual reality is a new hot topic in tech and gaming field with many headsets and devices being developed. I have been working with Criffin R&D for a virtual reality input device. No tech details unfortunately but a lovely tech demo showing what the system can.

I got myself an 3 axis CNC machine from local machine manufacturer EDM OÜ. Since I focus mostly on electronic design I got a small hobby machine. It has Nema stepper motors, chinese parallel port stepper controller and 300W DC spindle. Controller is LinuxCNC and g-code is made with MeshCAM. I used it to cut polycarbonate and polyethylene pieces of a prototype.

After using it for a while I accidentally managed to destroy axis of the spindel motor. Since I needed to cut more plastics I ordered new 800W air cooled AC spindle. New spindle worked much better and quieter.

I have a new and prettier lab. Although it is smaller than the previous one. Now I reside in new creation space called Aparaaditehas (Apparatus factory).

Tech-thing electronics laboratory

I also started cooperation with embedded hardware developer Krakul. They are known in Estonia mainly for making solutions for drones.

Finished rail drilling machine

Me and my friends mechatronics company EDM OÜ cooperated. The result - automated drilling machine for a factory. Machine uses stepper motors to move aluminium rails and drills holes in them. Then it uses a saw to cut it necessary length. The machine is controlled from touchscreen connected to raspberry pi. Software gets in files with drill and cutting information and sends commands to low end. In the low end there is an Arduino Mega that controls bunch of stepper drivers. As necessary for such devices - everything is optically isolated.

EDM made all the mechanics and integration. I designed and made the control electronics and wrote the software. The most interesting part was writing stepper pulse generator with acceleration and deceleration. Also we found out that rotary encoders need interrupts to give proper feedback, because of small vibrations.

The mechanical beauty in the machine

Mechanics moving the drills

EDM made 4 axis CNC machine used to make components for drilling machine

The case of the machine lying in EDM workshop

Insides of the electronics cabinet in the beginning - Arduino, Raspberry, stepper drivers and other necessary components

Night of software development, my cat quite liked the warm touchscreen monitor

There was a mini Maker Faire in Estonia in the city I operate. I was out there with my electronics development company Tech-thing. I met bunch of awesome people, saw cool projects and met up with old friends. Because Estonia is so small, practically everybody were there.

Music triggered flamethrower head

Prototaip CNC showcase

First I saw Prototaip, a mechanical R&D company. List of other friendly faces: Wazombi labs, Intelligent Materials and Systems Laboratory, Skeemipesa, robot mannequin project (Fits.me), Idea lab protocenter. There was probably bunch of more people who I forget but they know who they are.

Overrall impression was really good. The place was packed with 3D printers and kids. Didn't expect so much of either. I am waiting for the day when everyone has a 3D printer and then they go - now what.

I also talked with couple of DIY guys about 3D CAD and most of them seemed to use sketchup. Seems reasonable since it is so easy, but on the other hand - it is the most awful program to use for mechanical drawings. FreeCAD wins on every day (and of course bunch of commercial programs).

I had lots of fun and I hope that Maker Faire will be back to Estonia soon.

Wazombi labs with their 3D printer and RollyCat cat toy

Some guys with self built CNC mill

Tiny robots made from electroactive polymers by UT IMS Lab

3D printers

More 3D printers

Some bigger delta style 3D printers

Bit of 100% handicraft computer

More self made computer with its maker

Skeemipesa exhibition - lamp radios

Guys from robot mannequin team

UT Idealab protocenter with its makerbot

Brainwave controlled copter

Other people making pictures

Some machine, patented!

One of the makers of the machine

Solar cell soldering workshop

Led thingie soldering workshop

I have done contract electrical engineering for ages. Previously mostly for university and friends, but as time went forward, more and more professionally for companies. As I also got my own lab and couple of employees - it was time to go official. So I got involved with couple of companies.

Tech-thing OÜ - electrical design and small scale manufacturing. We have capability to design and prototype wide area of devices - from small LED devices to big motor controllers and RF circuits.

Crystalspace OÜ - nanosatellite subsystems and components.  We specialize into making small satellite components, like power supplies, attitude determination and communication systems. Also mechanical components like frames and reaction wheels. And finally - whole small satellites.