Core77

DK Ahn, a recent graduate of the Royal College of Arts in London (and previously featured here on Core), is investigating methods of domestic manufacturing in a project that he calls Microfactory.

DK writes:

MICROFACTORY is a project centered around designing domestic manufacturing machinery. The project allows people to make their own products at home easily as well as share their own designs. By focusing on concepts of open-source design and the principles of reusing materials around the home, Micro Factory looks to use design to develop new manufacturing methods which benefit society as a whole.

This first object in this series is called MOW, a portable tabletop cutting device that can slice through light sheet materials like cardboard, polypropylene and wood under 2mm thick. The user can download or create a pattern and send it to MOW via Bluetooth, at which point, the device, controlled by 4 cables, automatically orients itself and cuts the pattern from the material.

And the best news? There's a working prototype! DK combined elements of technology from all kinds of similar machines, from plotters to maylines to remote control cars. The process video above is long and detailed, so if you just want to see the demo, watch from 8:35 onwards.

More pics after the jump.

Thanks, Niti!

Concept Sketch

Renderings

Prototype

Working Prototype