formed this process before, so he liked paying back. “It’s a great opportunity for kids to explore new things and abilities, and lose the fear of being able to use tools, like a hot soldering iron,” Chico said. His father worked with steel, so he also previously learned construction skills, and oxyacetylene welding. Joe Tenczar from Orlando, Fla., observed his 11-year-old son Jason try soldering for the first time — Fig. 6. “It was fun,” Jason said. He answered “definitely” to doing the process again. He might even be a maker when he grows up. “I liked all the 3D printers, virtual reality, and laser etching,” Jason added regarding what he saw while walking around. This was the duo’s first time at a Maker Faire. “We didn’t know what to expect,” Joe said, but seeing makers do so much and how far things have come both amazed and interested him. Copper Wires Turned Into Sculptures Kinetic Artist Jonathan Thompson, a middle school band director by day, cleverly crafts copper-wire sculptures that marbles travel on — Fig. 7. “I found getting into metal has opened me to endless possibilities of what I can create. I have so many ideas. The learning process itself has been exciting,” Thompson said. At his booth, Marbles in Motion (facebook.com/marblesinmotion), children and adults played with various models. The Harvey sculpture with a large skull and LED lights was popular. Finding inspiration in the movement of balls on tracks, but also wanting pieces to look beautiful while still, he forms wire by using his hands and needle-nose pliers. At its core, Orlando Skyline (shown in the picture) featured just that with the city’s backdrop cut by a local source using a computer numeric control machine. The idea was born from a client in Pennsylvania who wanted a skyline of his city, and in turn wanting to create something representative of this Maker Faire. Sketched before fabrication and designed with mechanical switches, it contained hand-bent copper cable and a pipe frame. This wallhanging, rolling-ball sculpture stood 59 in. wide 39 in. tall and 9 in. deep. Thompson spent 250 h making it. The process of building his other What is the Maker Movement? With introducing MAKE magazine in 2005, Dale Dougherty and his team sparked the tech-influenced, do-it-yourself community that has come to be known as the Maker Movement. Makers — including tech enthusiasts, crafters, homesteaders, scientists, garage tinkerers, and many other individuals — share a love for innovation, creativity, and inspiring others to make something to make people happy. As the movement has collected momentum, makers created their own market ecosystem, forming new products/services. “My goal is that all people, young and old, come to see themselves as makers, creators, and doers because I know that the people who have the skills and knowledge to make things have the power to make the world a better place,” Dougherty said. Maker Faire, hailed as the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth, is a familyfriendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. It also represents a celebration of the Maker Movement. Since launching in the Bay Area in 2006, it has expanded all around the world. Maker Faire® Orlando, featured in this article, is produced as a program of The Maker Effect Foundation. Information on the websites makerfaire.com and makerfaireorlando.com were used in compiling DECEMBER 2016 / WELDING JOURNAL 35 this text. This infographic highlights the Maker Movement’s powerful impact. (Courtesy of The Grommet.)
Welding Journal | December 2016
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