Oct 23, 2015 | By Benedict

The future is here… and there’s an RFID tag embedded in it. Now that such a large number of ID and credit cards are making use of radio-frequency identification technology, owners of those cards are able to go through a range of identification checks with minimal effort. However, with ease comes danger: RFID chips, often full of sensitive data, are vulnerable to a particular form of data theft known as RFID skimming. Thieves can obtain RFID readers, which are able to read the RFID information stored in your wallet, without making any physical contact. Once the data is in the wrong hands, well… it’s best not to imagine what comes next.

So what can we do about RFID skimming? Maker, an Australian startup comprised of Reuben and Kim Hinton, have decided to tackle the problem in an interesting way—a way that is of great interest to the 3D printing community. The pair have launched a Kickstarter campaign for their genius Maker Wallet: an all-in-one RFID wallet and multitool made especially for designers and 3D printing enthusiasts.

The Maker Wallet actually performs two sets of functions, both of which should interest the maker readership here at 3Ders! First and foremost, the Maker Wallet is RFID secure: this means that, when you put the wallet in your pocket, your cards inside become invulnerable to attack from skimmers. What a relief! Secondly, the wallet doubles up as a very handy multitool, packed with features designed specifically for 3D printer users. Features include a 3D print bed scraper, 3D printer filament gauge, and Phillips screw driver. In a wallet! The pattern on the wallet’s band was even inspired by 3D printer infill.

So how exactly does it work? One side of the Maker Wallet’s exterior is steel-plated, which means that, when that side is facing outwards, radio signals cannot permeate its casing. However, the flip-side of the wallet allows frequencies to pass, so you can still use your bank or travel card without taking it out of the wallet—just make sure you’re holding it the right way round.

The Maker Wallet has been made from quality 304 stainless steel, and is coated in a coloured thermo-ceramic finish with laser engraving. A semi-flexible band, made from premium shore 28A firmness silicon, helps to keep everything secure. The Maker Wallet can even be used as an RFID shield for an existing wallet, since it is just a credit card-sized steel plate and plastic band. One can simply leave the band aside, and insert the steel plate into the outermost pocket of a regular wallet to ensure RFID shielding for the cards inside.

Images from Kickstarter

And what about those 3D printing tools integrated into the wallet? The Maker Wallet contains a 3D print bed scraper, for removing leftover filament from the bed of your 3D printer. The scraper is sharp but not so sharp that you’ll have to worry about cutting your finger on it when you reach into your pocket. It also boasts a radius gauge, for checking prints, calibrating a 3D printer, or taking dimensions. Other features include: a filament gauge for avoiding potential jams; a solder holder in which you can rest your soldering iron without burning the house down; a 2-in-1 blade and Phillips head screw driver; a bottle opener; a phone stand; a bit driver; spanners, in sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, 14; a protractor; a radius stencil, and a ruler. Phew! That’s quite an improvement on my current wallet, which consists of a broken zip, an old football sticker, and a Nando’s loyalty card.

Maker are looking to raise $4,000 on their campaign in order to begin production. They expect to begin shipment of wallets between December 2015 and January 2016. Backers can choose from a range of appealing rewards based on the size of their contribution. A limited number of early bird wallets are available now, in a range of limited edition Kickstarter-only colours, at $18.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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