Fulcrum

From time to time we build a store locator or a similar location and map search component of a website. The basic idea is a website visitor can type in their zip code hit submit and the site will produce a map with a bunch of pins in and around the previously entered zip code. Sounds useful right?

When building these type of components into a website there are a number of “hidden” complexities that we encounter each time. The most common complexity we run into is geocoding.

Recently we had a project that required some CSVs that were a little tricky to import. One specifically dealing with a bunch of pictures that was formatted with one picture per row. To import it with Feeds, we needed to have all of the pictures with matching IDs be on one row, concatenated, and separated by a certain character. We had over 2000 rows, so doing it by hand was out of the question. How did we solve it? By writing an excel macro!

We have started one of the final phases of building a 3D-printer--electronics and wiring. 

We are using a RAMPS 1.4, with an Arduino Mega 2560, and a 12-volt DC power supply. For our wiring, we are using Dorman Conduct-Tite primary wire and just a normal computer power cable. 

The whole setup is pretty straight-forward. (You can view the RAMPS wiring instructions here.) 

At last! I have the bed and the motors mounted on the printer. The motors weren't bad, I just had to find the right bolts to secure them to the plastic pieces.

The heated bed was a little more difficult--and by a little, I mean a lot. As mentioned before, we have a bigger heated bed. This required us to custom-cut the aluminum bed, as well as custom-sized glass to cover it. Both of which we bought from Home Depot, and used a grinder to cut the metal.