Machine Agency
Our work harnesses the precision of machines for the creativity of
individuals.
Research
![three images overlaid with images of computational notebooks; fltr CAD, a milling machine, and a milled wooden propellor](projects/tandem/teaser.jpg)
Tandem: Reproducible Digital Fabrication Workflows as Multimodal Programs
Tandem is a software library that lets a fabricator implement an end-to-end fabrication workflow as a computational notebook program that others can run to physically reproduce the workflow.
![A MIDI controller connected to a 3D printer for interactive control.](projects/playing-the-print/thumbnail.jpg)
Playing the Print
We interactively tune machine settings using MIDI controllers and consider strategies to document the resulting outcomes.
![Le Corbusier's monastery as an example of technical mentality.](projects/technical-mentality/thumbnail.png)
Technical Mentality
We present four principles for HCI research and practice based on Simondon's concept of technical
mentality.
![A system for automated imaging and manipulation of duckweed.](projects/duckbot/loop-dip.jpg)
The Duckbot
We built custom tools and software to automate imaging and manipulation of duckweed for plant
biology experiments.
![A dataflow programming environment with a colorful cellular automata.](projects/dynamic-toolchains/thumbnail.png)
Dynamic Toolchains
We built an event-driven dataflow environment to scaffold development of new digital fabrication
workflows.
![failed 3d print](assets/img/spaghetti.jpg)
3D Printers Don’t Fix Themselves
We study how practitioners maintain their FFF 3D printers in the home and find that maintenance is
core to our participants' printing practice.
![network diagrams](assets/img/forking.png)
Forking a Sketch
We pair network analysis with qualitative techniques to capture high-level patterns and meaningful
details about how creative coders remix sketches.
![adding fillings to siwawa](assets/img/food.jpg)
Doufu, Rice Wine, and 面饼
We investigate how to support the connections between precision and cultural knowledge in cooking.
![molds based on mathematical functions milled with imprimer](assets/img/imprimer.png)
Imprimer
We show how to use computational notebooks to unlock new ways of working with CNC mills.
![a tabletop laboratory automation machine](assets/img/Cher_as-the-duckbot.jpg)
Pathways to Open-Source Hardware for Laboratory Automation
Bringing together a community of scientists to collaborate on ways of sharing, vetting, and
maintaining open source hardware for science and engineering research.
![diagram showing live programming resulting from editing the code geometry dot translate 50 50, an example verso module, and an example toolpath visualization on screen and projected in-situ.](assets/img/verso.png)
Verso
Exploratory digital fabrication often involves low-level machine programming, to which Verso adds
within-code GUIs and expressive toolpath visualization.
![example use of automation in community biolabs to create images using bacteria.](assets/img/biolabs.jpg)
Studying Community Biolabs
From a qualitative study of community biolabs, we discuss how members are creating new approaches to
laboratory biology with implications for systems that support non-traditional settings for
scientific practice.
![collage of unconventional 3D prints created with our system.](assets/img/p5fab.jpg)
p5.fab
A system for controlling digital fabrication machines from the creative coding environment p5.js,
informed by insights into 3D printing practice.
![Direct control of a machine (right) from Rhino/Grasshopper (left)](assets/img/vespidae-system.jpg)
Interactive Digital Fabrication Machine Control Directly Within a CAD Environment
Enabling control of digital fabrication machines from a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) environment,
including interactive control of toolpath geometry as well as machine parameters such as speed,
acceleration, or jerk.
![taxon transforms scattered resources for machine use to a unified language](assets/img/taxon.jpg)
Taxon
A language that encodes machines, workflows, and rules of thumb as programs. Taxon applies the
safety and extensibility of programming to hands-on making.
![Collage of plotted artwork shared with the PlotterTwitter hashtag.](projects/plottertwitter/thumbnail.png)
Studying #PlotterTwitter
We conducted a qualitative study of #PlotterTwitter and found that makers champion creative
exploration of materials over a predictable series of steps.
![collage of student projects from online digital fabrication courses](assets/img/online_teaching.png)
Teaching Digital Fabrication Online
Through interviews, we found that learning with hobbyist equipment and online social networks could
emulate using industrial equipment in shared workshops.
![two lamifold mechanisms](assets/img/lamifold.png)
Lamifold
Lamifold is a workflow for making functional mechanical objects using a laser cutter.
![CAD representation of Jubilee machine](assets/img/jubilee.png)
Jubilee
Jubilee is an open-source hardware machine with automatic tool-changing and interchangeable bed
plates.
![Mockup of interface with language and GUI elements](assets/img/mom-mock.png)
Machine-o-Matic
Initial investigations into representing parts of fabrication workflows as programs.
![Various cardboard machine configurations](assets/img/stages.jpg)
Cardboard Machine Kit
A framework for the rapid prototyping of rapid prototyping machines. Modular hardware, modular
electronics, and modular software.
![Diagram of makerspace setup](assets/img/material-flow.png)
Material Flow in Makerspaces
An investigation into the practices that makerspaces around the world use to keep track of their
materials.
Agents
Field Agents
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Orlando de Lange
Postdoctoral Researcher, now Professor at Shoreline Community College
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Kellie Dunn
MS '21, now PhD at the University of Copenhagen
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Cindy Feng
MS '21
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Frikk Fossdal
PhD Student at HVL Norway
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Brian Gillespie
McNeel
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Eunice Jun
Collaborator, PhD Candidate at UW CSE
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Khang Lee
BS '20
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Danny Leen
PhD '21 from KU Leuven, Belgium
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Maja Ling Han
Visiting Masters Student from the University of Copenhagen
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Chandrakana Nandi
PhD '21 from UW CSE, now at Certora
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Marita Sauerwein
PhD '21 from TU Delft, Netherlands
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Shenna Shim
Undergraduate Student
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Sonya Vasquez
PhD Student
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Andrew Waer
MS '20
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Willa Yang
BS '20, now PhD Student at the University of Chicago