Beam systems make construction of thing easy, or precise, or both. I keep seeing more of these systems, so I figured I’d write-up the ones I’ve seen.
MakerBeam
Back in 2009 MakerBeam, a Mini-T open-source building system, showed up (on Kickstarter) and while makerbeam.com is empty, makerbeam.eu has lots of good stuff. You can also get them from our pals at SparkFun. There’s some bits and pieces on Thingiverse as well. (And, MakerBeam is open source hardware.)
MakerSlide
Bart from buildlog.net launched MakerSlide, which is an “Open Source Linear Bearing System” geared towards DIY CNC machines like laser cutters, CNC routers, and (now) 3D printers. MakerSlide launched as a Kickstarter project, and did quite well. It seemed to be continually out-of-stock, but Inventibles is now kicking in to fill the gap. There’s a whole system of parts that go with MakerSlide, and from what I can tell it’s a pretty solid system.
OpenBeam
There’s a new one, called OpenBeam, which is running on Kickstarter as of my writing this. It’s an open source miniature construction system. (See a trend here?) OpenBeam seems to cite that the fasteners and connecting plates used by other systems are what causes things to get costly. Their solution is to use standard sizes and common hardware to make the whole system easier and cheaper to work with. There doesn’t seem to be a web site yet, but you can check out the developers blog.
Bitbeam
A bit different is how I’d describe Bitbeam. Instead of extruded aluminum like the other systems, it’s typically made of wood, and describe as just “holes in poles.” :) In fact, Bitbeam is based on another system, Grid Beam. And hey, both are open source! Bitbeam is Lego Technic compatible, and you can make your own with a (powerful) laser cutter. Bitbeam is also on Thingiverse. Sweet!
Grid Beam
As previously mentioned, Grid Beam is sort of the older big-brother of Bitbeam. While Bitbeam is for smaller things, Grid Beam is for larger things. You can actually build things like vehicles and furniture with Grid Beams. It also appears to be the oldest of these beam systems, dating back to 2008. Check out more at gridbeamnation.com
Are there any other beam building systems I’ve missed?
5 replies on “Beam me up!”
Grid Beam is actually older than that — Phil Jergenson, one of the guys behind Grid Beam, published an earlier version under the name “Box Beam” in 1994. See here.
(Note: they spelled his name wrong…)
And Ken Isaacs was promoting a very similar system in Popular Science in the early 1970s– the difference being that you couldn’t buy them pre-made, you had to drill the holes yourself.
Terence here – I’m the guy behind OpenBeam. There’s also MicroRax, which is the only commercially viable 10mm extrusion system in the US:
http://www.MicroRAX.com
And of course, don’t forget Mitsumi, 80/20, and Bosch for the bigger stuff.
-=- Terence
One more that I know is in beta testing right now, fully Open Source also is Contraptor.
Thanks for the Contraptor tip, Justin!
Thanks for the write-up! If there’s anything you’d like to see improved in bitbeam, just let me know!