CNC milling machines are becoming more and more common in factories, but rarely do we get to see one in action – and certainly not doing something as cool as this.

Sit back and watch as Daishin Seiki uses a Deckel Maho duoBlock 5-Axis HyperMILL to work its robotic magic, carving an intricate 3D helmet from a solid 264 lb. (120kg) block of aluminum:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Pretty amazing, no? I only wish they made actual motorcycle helmets that looked that cool, but I’m betting the aluminum wouldn’t do a very good job protecting your head.

[via b3ta]

The Gamecube u features a fully-functional Gamecube console, along with a bright 5″ color LCD screen, and a built-in controller and memory card for storage. techknott crafted the case using CNC cut acrylic and MDF plywood,  and there are dual controller ports built into the front of the portable if you want to use an. The only thing I don’t like about the handheld is the exposed game disc drive, but I don’t know where else you could really put the drive but on the back.

More pics in the gallery below:

And here’s a short video showing off the Gamecube u in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The auction ends on 9/25/2010, and there’s only a few bids up there so far, so you have a good shot to get in on the action.

[via Ben Heck Forums]

Created using 3D object printing technology on a MakerBot, DIY-er Junior Tan created this bit of awesome for all of us to enjoy.

Happily, the iPhone revolver doesn’t fire bullets, or taking each call would be like a game of Russian Roulette.

The best part about the iPhone revolver? Assuming you have a Makerbot of your own, you can download the digital 3D model at Thingiverse and print one out for yourself.

Will Langford from BotMade used his desktop MakerBot CNC to create this iPod/iPhone charging dock. The dock was made by building a 3D model on his computer, then allowing MakerBot to print out thin layers of plastic stacked on top of each other. The plastic snaps onto a block of sturdy plywood for stability.

You’ll still need to provide your own iPod charging cable, but the dock can be purchased over on Etsy for $23 (USD). Or you can build your own MakerBot and crank out your own 3D creations with some of the models over at Thingiverse.

Technabob reader Matthew Borgatti (aka “M@”) created this intricately detailed bronze belt buckle which bears the inimitable Art Deco logo from the classic underwater shooter. M@ started out by having a wax mold carved on TechShop’s Tormach CNC.

He then produced a silicone mold from the wax and had the bronze casting made by the guys over at JR Casting.

While I really love the way the raw bronze looked when it came back from the casting, M@ did a great job giving it that thoroughly weathered look that’s more apropos of the game’s decrepit atmosphere.

You can check out more photos of the Bioshock belt buckle and M@’s other creative works over on Sinbox and Flickr.

The computer controlled toast burner uses a specially modified CNC fabricator with a hot air gun in its carriage. As the system moves along the horizontal and vertical axes, the heat source is modulated by a computer.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

And voila… totally custom toast. Now all the guys over at Evil Mad Scientist need to do is figure out a way to mass produce these.

[via Coolest Gadgets]