[TheForge] how do blacksmithing and technology work together?

[terry l. ridder]

Hello;

With all the talk about the "Internet of Things" I have been thinking
about projects that meld blacksmithing and technology. I have been
learning everything I am able to about Arduino and Raspberry Pi. I have
seen some rather impressive DIY projects by grammar school and junior high
students. Can blacksmithing/metalworking and technology be joined
together to create "Internet of Things".

Obviously the use of technology in creating tools such as laser cutting,
3D routers/engravers/carvers, CNC woodburning exist. These are all used
to create the "finished" product, they are not the "finished" product.

I remember back to the forged clock face and chisel cut numerials. the
actually clock was a battery powered quartz unit from China.

I have numerous Arduino, XBee, Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, Banana Pi etc.
I am trying to incorporate them into blacksmithing or metalworking
projects and I am drawing a blank.

I keep going back to a project that was discussed numerous times with
Jerry the arborist. Jerry, has since died from injuries in a car
accident. The discussion centered around designing and building a
portable wood craver/router/engraver. The basic idea was and still is, a
portable machine that can be mounted to a standing tree trunk or a large
enough log which has the ability to craver/route/engrave a 3D image from
the tree trunk or the log. The "Old Man in the Tree".

Sometimes I think I "overthink" the projects.


-- 
terry l. ridder ><>