Machine Agency
Our work harnesses the precision of machines for the creativity of individuals.
Research

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
A language that encodes machines, workflows, and rules of thumb as programs. Taxon applies the safety and extensibility of programming to hands-on making.

Studying #PlotterTwitter
We conducted a qualitative study of #PlotterTwitter and found that makers champion creative exploration of materials over a predictable series of steps.

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.

Lamifold
Lamifold is a workflow for making functional mechanical objects using a laser cutter.

Jubilee
Jubilee is an open-source hardware machine with automatic tool-changing and interchangeable bed plates.

Machine-o-Matic
Initial investigations into representing parts of fabrication workflows as programs.

Cardboard Machine Kit
A framework for the rapid prototyping of rapid prototyping machines. Modular hardware, modular electronics, and modular software.

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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Kellie Dunn
MS '21
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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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Khang Lee
BS '20
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Danny Leen
PhD '21 from KU Leuven, Belgium
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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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Joshua Vasquez
PhD Student
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Andrew Waer
MS '20
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Willa Yang
BS '20