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2026

  • 1 min read

MakerThursday 0x11: Maker Space Inventory

Overview

This Maker Thursday, hosted by Shaan Shoukath, we discussed the systems, logistics, and challenges behind managing makerspace inventory. During the session, we also discussed SpaceWorks a digital inventory platform designed by Shan to simplify tracking and managing resources in a makerspace.

Topics

  • Makerspace Inventory Management: Categorization, monitoring, and keeping track of hardware components and kits.
  • Tool Tracking & Workflows: Methods for tool management, check-in/check-out processes, and procurement.

Project Presentation

  • SpaceWorks: An open-source inventory management platform built by Shan (SpaceWorks-HQ/SpaceWorks) designed for tracking makerspace resources and tools. Shan discussed how makerspaces track their hardware and shared that the project is built as a template that can be used by any makerspace.

Photos

Session photo

Session photo

Highlights

  • Discussed the need for structured inventory systems in shared maker spaces.
  • Demoed the FRDM-MCXN236 development board, received as part of the NXP FRDM to Innovate – On us! campaign.

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 2 min read

MakerThursday 0x10: Getting Started with WLED

Overview

This Maker Thursday we discussed WLED—an open-source, web-controlled firmware project that allows users to control WS2812B LED strips, matrices, and other addressable LEDs using microcontrollers like the ESP32.

We focused on how WLED is beginner-friendly, making it easy to build lighting projects without writing any code. For the hands-on session, participants flashed the WLED firmware onto an ESP32 and set up 8x8 LED matrices to see their custom lights in action.

Topics

  • Introduction to WLED and its initial setup.
  • The difference between normal LED strips and addressable WS2812B LED.
  • Controller requirements: Although WLED still supports the ESP8266, the ESP32 is recommended for new setups to support advanced features like audio reactivity, multiple LED output pins and higher LED counts.
  • Controlling WLED: web application dashboard, native Android & iOS mobile apps, and integration options (like Home Assistant).

Project Presentation

  • WLED ESP32 Controller Setup: Flashing WLED firmware and configuring 8x8 addressable LED matrices.

Photos

Activity photo

Activity photo Activity photo

Highlights

  • Participants flashed WLED to an ESP32 and configured 8x8 LED matrices.
  • Explored built-in animations, color palettes, and segments.

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 1 min read

MakerThursday 0x09: Open Source Licenses

Overview

This session centered on understanding open-source software and hardware licensing models. We examined how different licenses dictate code usage, distribution, and intellectual property rights, alongside discussing the ongoing licensing and patent dispute between Bambu Lab and the 3D printing community. The session concluded with a project presentation of the Mole Crab robot by Aaron Scaria and Michael John Antony.

Topics

  • Open Source Licensing: Types of open-source licenses, comparative breakdown, and their impact on code usage and IP.
  • Bambu Lab vs. 3D Printing Community: Discussion on the patent notice, open-source licensing disputes, and community implications.

Project Presentation

Photos

Mole Crab Robot

Mole Crab Robot Prototype Mole Crab Robot Presentation

Highlights

  • Explored open-source licensing nuances and legal implications for makers.
  • Showcased a unique biomimetic robotics project.

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 2 min read

MakerThursday 0x08: Converting a Broken 3D Printer into a CNC Plotter

Overview

This Maker Thursday, we tried to convert a broken 3D printer (Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro) into a CNC Plotter. This printer holds significance for our community as it was the first 3D printer we had at TinkerSpace, funded by the Kerala Startup Mission.

During the session, Salman Faris explained the fundamentals of how a 3D printer works, detailing its various components such as the extruder, print bed, and stepper motors. We then powered on the printer and confirmed it was working, though we discovered some issues with the limit switch that will need to be resolved.

Topics

  • How a 3D printer works, its main parts (extruder, print bed, etc.).
  • Converting a Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro 3D printer into a CNC Plotter.

Project Presentation

  • CNC Plotter Conversion: Repurposing a broken Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro 3D printer.

Photos

Activity photo

Maker Thursday group photo Ender-3 S1 Pro CNC plotter activity

Highlights

  • Basics of 3D printers and how they work.
  • Successfully powered on the Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro and identified the limit switch issue.

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 1 min read

MakerThursday 0x07: Arduino Day 2026 - Pre-Event

Overview

During this Maker Thursday, we gathered to coordinate plans for Arduino Day 2026 and discuss the Arduino Uno Q. We finalized collaboration timelines and event preparations. Additionally, Aaron and Michael showcased the latest development stages of their biomimetic Mole Crab Robot.

Topics

  • Preparations regarding Arduino Day 2026 celebration.
  • Arduino UNO Q

Project Presentation

  • Mole Crab Robot: A stealth robot that uses biomimicry.

Photos

Group photo

Group photo

Activity photo

Activity photo Mole Crab Robot project

Line Follower Competition Track Preparation

Highlights

  • Community members prepared the track for the Arduino Day line-follower competition

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 1 min read

MakerThursday 0x06: Introduction to Drones

Overview

This week’s session focused on the growing role of drones across multiple industries. The theme centered around real-world applications and basic drone engineering. The overall vibe was interactive and exploratory, with participants showing strong curiosity about how drones actually work and are built.

Topics

  • Applications of drones (photography, agriculture, surveillance, engineering)
  • Basic components of a drone
  • How drones function (flight control, sensors, communication)

Project Presentation

  • Team – Autonomous Drone Concept (overview of a smart drone use-case)
  • Team – Basic Drone Assembly (intro to components and structure)

Photos

Group photo

Group photo

Activity photo

Activity photo

Drone components photo

Drone components photo

Highlights

  • Participants gained a clear understanding of how drones operate beyond just flying devices

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 1 min read

MakerThursday 0x05: Custom Hardware Prototypes

Overview

The session served as a platform to showcase practical, real-world applications of embedded systems, robotics. Nikhil S showcased his hardware prototypes which included IoT Piano, Obstacle Avoiding Robot, Smart Automated Staircase Light, Smart Shoe Module for Blind.

Topics

  • Project exhibition and live demonstrations
  • Hardware architecture and microcontroller integration
  • Showcasing use-cases for assistive technology, robotics, and home automation

Project Presentation

  • Nikhil showcased his prototypes on:
    • IoT Piano (Home automation prototype)
    • Obstacle Avoiding Robot
    • Smart Shoe Module for Blind
    • Smart Automated Staircase Light

Photos

Activity photo

Activity photo Activity photo Activity photo

Highlights

  • The session provided live demonstrations and answered technical questions about the circuitry, sensors, and code.

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 2 min read

MakerThursday 0x04: Announcements and Project Updates

Overview

This Maker Thursday was mostly a community sync with announcements, ownership on upcoming events, and a few project updates. We aligned on timelines for collaborations, deployments that went live, and what to prepare for the next couple of months.

Announcements and Decisions

  • Kochi-Muziris Biennale experience zone: TinkerHub will collaborate with Forplay Society to set up an experience zone. Jasim and Salman will take ownership, planned from Feb 25 to Mar 1, 2026.

Hack4Play: Kochi Muziris Biennale Collateral

  • Inventory management: Shaan Shoukath joined as the new Inventory Manager, and the parts requesting/managing site is live at https://makerspace-inventory-hub.vercel.app/.
  • Meshtastic hiking plan: A Meshtastic hiking activity is being planned in collaboration with Seeed Studio and TinkerSpace. Samad and Jasim will be responsible for, targeting April 2026.
  • Arduino Day: Planned for Mar 28, 2026, with Abhiram taking ownership (details to be finalized).
  • 3D printer queue system: The queue system was deployed by Ryyan Safar (available via https://tinkerspace-3d-printing-queue.vercel.app/).
  • Kutty Makers Camp: Planned during working days in April 2026 (summer). Everyone present was requested to contribute one working day for the event.

Discussion

  • Devadath shared about Google’s VLM-based robotics arm work (Gemini Robotics) and related ideas for vision-guided manipulation.
  • We also looked at the Seeed Studio robotics arm project: reBot DevArm.

Project Presentation

  • DIY MacroPad: Some components have arrived, and a full presentation is planned for an upcoming Maker Thursday.

Abhiram DIY MacroPad progress

Photos

Group photo

Highlights

  • Clear ownership and timelines were set across multiple upcoming events, with a few key infrastructure updates going live for the space.

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 1 min read

MakerThursday 0x03: Building a Synthesizer

Overview

This week’s Maker Thursday session was on audio sythesizers. Ramakanth discussed open source electronic synthesizer projects and building custom synthesizers using microcontrollers. He shared his own open source synthesizer project Meow synth, his experience and how makers at TinkerSpace helped him build it. The session also had a demonstration where makers got hands-on experience with Meow Synth. Discussions involved makers sharing experiences on building a custom macro keyboards, audio-reactive art installations. The session motivated makers to build a their own version of synthesizers.

Project Presentation

  • Meow Synth – An open source audio synthesizer

Photos

Group photo

Highlights

  • Key takeaways from the session included practical tips on prototyping audio synthesizers, exploring open source digital audio workstations like LMN3.

Next Week

  • Topic: TBD
  • Host: TBD
  • 2 min read

MakerThursday 0x02: Robo-war Project presentation

Overview

This week’s Maker Thursday session was a project presentation day instead of a topic-based session. One of our makers presented their Robo War robotic car build for competition and shared the challenges, learnings, and fun experiences from the event. We also had another maker who built a multi-drone system for an agriculture drone competition, and he shared his journey and key takeaways which was very inspiring and guided some of our makers to get started with drone building. The overall vibe was very inspiring, practical, and full of great community learning.

Project Presentation

  • Robo War Car Build – A combat robotic car built for a Robo War competition, shared with learnings from the build process.

  • Multi-Drone Agriculture System – A drone-based project developed for an agriculture drone competition, along with real-world insights and experiences.

Photos

Group photo photo

Highlights

  • One key takeaway from the session was learning directly from our makers’ real competition experiences, which gave everyone practical insights and motivation to build and improve their own robotics projects.

Next Week

  • Topic: Building a Synthesizer
  • Host: Ramakanth