MIT computerized self position-correcting hand router
Drone writes: “Check out this computerized self position-correcting hand router made by Alec Rivers, Ilan E. Moyer, and Frédo Durand of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
The plan is to commercialize this. You would upload designs and/or buy designs to upload like apps on a smartphone.
There’s a 6 Mb PDF of a paper on this just presented at the Siggraph 2012 conference you can download at Alec Rivers’s site.
This is one of those “Man slaps forehead and says, ‘why didn’t I think of that’” kind’a things.
Please clone this as the next Dangerous Prototype.”
Via the contact form.
This entry was posted in Prototypes, tools and tagged computer assisted router, MIT.
Comments
I have read this twice now, and still have no idea what it is about. Perhaps an explanation would be in order?
Ok I will make an attempt: the active device is the platform or ring which holds the router captive. The operator pushes the platform across the workpiece and the platform reads the QR tape it is passing over to determine its current location. It then makes vernier adjustments to the router to cut to the intended pattern while the operator only needs to keep an approximate course line. As long as he is pushing the platform and keeping it in the circle indicated on the LCD then the platform can do the rest. It is very clever. It would be better if you could get feedstock like MDF already stamped with the QR guide codes from the factory.
Simpler explaination: You push it in the general direction, and the stepper motors shift the router to where it should be.
Think of it like this: You (the router) can walk a straight line even though your dog (the operator) is pulling you only in the general direction you want to go.
Very good idea for a wood worker using a router.
With this “automatic pilot” there is no use of large cnc cutter for mahining plywood or other materials.
Great idea !
THis is awesome.. I need want one!