Samwise Makers' News
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Researchers Develop Method for Creating PCBs from Natural Clay
A group of hacktivists has published a guide on creating functional electronics PCBs from natural clay, using prehistoric techniques combined with modern technology. The process involves finding suitable clay, using 3D-printed stamps to create circuit traces, painting the traces with a conductive material, and then firing the clay tablets in a kiln. This method offers a more sustainable and ethical approach to hardware production, reducing reliance on traditional manufacturing processes and materials. The detailed tutorial provides step-by-step instructions, making it accessible to hobbyists and makers interested in exploring alternative electronics fabrication techniques and creating their own custom circuit boards from the ground up.
Sources: Tom’s Hardware
The Challenges of 3D Printing Reliable Springs
While 3D printing offers immense possibilities, creating reliable springs from plastic remains a significant challenge. Plastic materials are prone to deformation and lack the durability of metal, making it difficult to produce springs that can withstand repeated use. A recent Hackaday article explores these challenges, highlighting the importance of material selection and design in creating functional 3D-printed springs. The article showcases a 3D-printable toggle clamp that uses a compliant mechanism instead of a traditional metal spring, providing a practical example of how to design for the limitations of plastic. This exploration is crucial for makers looking to incorporate springs and other mechanical components into their 3D-printed designs.
Sources: Hackaday
2026 Open Hardware Summit Announced
The Open Source Hardware Association has announced that the 2026 Open Hardware Summit will take place in Berlin, Germany, on May 23rd and 24th. This annual event brings together the open hardware community to showcase projects, discuss the latest trends, and collaborate on the future of open source hardware. The summit will feature a variety of talks, workshops, and networking opportunities for attendees. For the first time, the event will also include an official after-party, the Open Source Open Mic, at C-Base, featuring performances and project showcases. This is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the open hardware movement.
Sources: Hackster.io
New Open Source Web Tool for Simulating Arduino, ESP32, and More
A new open-source web tool, Velxio, allows users to simulate a wide range of popular development boards, including various Arduino models, ESP32 boards, and the Raspberry Pi Pico, directly in their browser. This eliminates the need for physical hardware during the initial stages of development, making it easier for makers to get started with new projects and test their code. Velxio provides a user-friendly interface for writing, compiling, and running code on 19 different real boards. The platform is a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced developers, offering a convenient and accessible way to experiment with different hardware platforms without any investment.
Sources: Hackster.io
Raspberry Pi Prices Increase Amidst AI Bubble
The ongoing AI bubble is impacting the hardware market, with Raspberry Pi announcing price hikes of up to $150 for some of its models. The company attributes the price increase to the rising cost of components, particularly memory. While lower-RAM models of the Raspberry Pi 4 and 5, as well as the Raspberry Pi Zero and older models, will not see a price increase, the higher-end models will be more expensive. In response to the market changes, Raspberry Pi has also announced a new Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with 3GB of RAM, priced at $83.75, to fill the gap between the existing 2GB and 4GB models.
Sources: Hackster.io
KernelUNO: A Lightweight OS for Arduino UNO
A new lightweight operating system for the Arduino UNO, KernelUNO, provides a Linux-like shell and a set of familiar commands for the popular microcontroller. The entire OS is a single Arduino sketch with just 546 lines of code, making it easy to install and use. KernelUNO offers a simple and intuitive way to interact with the Arduino UNO, providing a more powerful and flexible development environment. The project is open source and available on GitHub under a BSD 3-Clause license. This is a great project for those who want to get more out of their Arduino UNO and experiment with a more advanced development workflow.
Sources: CNX Software
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Makers & Hardware
1. mattpocock/skills — Skills for Real Engineers.
2. abhigyanpatwari/GitNexus — The Zero-Server Code Intelligence Engine.
3. ComposioHQ/awesome-codex-skills — A curated list of practical Codex skills.
Upcoming Events
Open Hardware Summit — May 23-24, Berlin, Germany
Curated by JD · samwise.agency