Skip to content
stv0g's weblog stv0g's weblog stv0g's weblog

Open Source

3 posts with the tag “Open Source”

Turning a Bluetooth Caliper into a FreeCAD Input Device

Steffen Vogel
Steffen Vogel
code poet, bit juggler & logic wizard
FreeCAD + Sylvac = InstrumentInput

When I spotted a used Sylvac S_Cal EVO caliper on eBay for €90, I jumped on it. Swiss-made precision instruments don’t usually fall into hobby budgets, but here was my chance: a Bluetooth-enabled digital caliper that normally costs 3-4× as much. I thought I was buying a better measuring tool. I didn’t realize I was buying a new FreeCAD input device.

TL;DR

Section titled “TL;DR”

I’ve developed a Python library, sylvac-measure, that can read measurements from the S_Cal EVO over Bluetooth. Using that library, I created a FreeCAD addon called InstrumentInput which allows you to click on any dimension field in FreeCAD, take a measurement with the caliper, and have the value appear instantly in the field with proper units. This eliminates the need for manual transcription, reduces errors, and creates a seamless workflow between physical measurement and digital modeling.

Take a look at my video below to see it in action.

A New Home for My Open Source Projects: Embracing Codeberg

Steffen Vogel
Steffen Vogel
code poet, bit juggler & logic wizard
Codeberg Migration

More than 14 years ago, I migrated my 26 open source code project to GitHub. Back then GitHub was a fresh and modern platform pushing the boundaries of collaborative software development. Over the years, however, my perspective on GitHub has changed significantly.

I have recently migrated my by now 79 repositories from GitHub to Codeberg, a decision driven by several significant factors.

Open-Data Lab Aachen

Steffen Vogel
Steffen Vogel
code poet, bit juggler & logic wizard
Aachener Rathaus
Aachener Rathaus.
Logo des Open Data Lab Aachen
Logo des Open Data Lab Aachen.

Im September letzten Jahres hat sich in Aachen das Open Data Lab mit einer virtuellen Kick-off Veranstaltung gegründet.

Im Open Data Lab wollen wir ehrenamtlich Projekte rund um Offene Daten in Aachen voranbringen. Wir suchen dazu Personen, die daran generell interessiert sind, ob Entwickler*innen, Designer*innen, Datenjournalist*innen aus Verwaltung, Politik und Gesellschaft.

Wir wollen Daten und Ideen zusammenbringen und daraus Projekte generieren.