SKDB

The SKDB project is like apt-get (in Debian) or Maven (in Java), but for real stuff.

Introduction

Ben Lipkowitz and Bryan Bishop, among others, have put significant work into a system called SKDB. SKDB is a method for sharing hardware over the internet. "Hardware" means not just designs for circuit boards, but also biological constructs, scientific instruments, machine tools, nuts and bolts, raw materials, and how to make them. SKDB simplifies the process of searching for free designs, comparing part compatibility, and building lists of materials and components and where to get them. You could even say SKDB is "apt-get but for real stuff".

In SKDB, hardware is organized into packages. Packages are a standard and consistent way for programs to find data. Packages may contain CAD files, CAM parameters, computer-readable descriptions of product specifications, product-specific code, and BOMs (bill of materials). For each part in a package there are a number of interface definitions, which describe how the part can connect with other parts, even parts from other packages. Each package also lists dependencies which have to be bought or built in order to successfully carry out a project. For example a drill press is required to make holes with a certain level of accuracy. SKDB downloads all of the dependencies automatically and compares them to your existing inventory, and generates instructions for your CNC machinery if you have any.

SKDB is new but extremely promising. Sites like Thingiverse are a great beginning, but 90% of the designs are for a RepStrap or a laser cutter, which both have the virtue of being reasonably 'plug and play'. With multiple tools displaying dependencies and requiring non-trivial human interaction, something more robust is clearly needed. RepLab needs a representation format, and SKDB needs a meaningful test case to develop its functionality. At a minimum, all data for the projects should be described in YAML wherever possible.

More Information

• git repository
• web view http://adl.serveftp.org/skdb/
• presentation
• IRC: #hplusroadmap on irc.freenode.net
• main wiki
• p2pf: SKDB

Videos

• SKDB: Downloading hardware over the web (Hplus Summit 2009) part 1/3 part 2/3 part 3/3

See Also

• CAD by Mariano Alvira