Thread by @doctorow

Automated manufacturing is a dream as old as the Shoemaker and the Elves, a nightmare as old as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. But the (delightful) science fiction dreams about automated manufacturing so often fall short of the reality.

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Not always, though! @MITCSAIL researchers' "Laserfactory" demo at this year's @sig_chi is a marvel straight out of a novel I wish I'd written:

groups.csail.mit.edu/hcie/files/res…

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The demo uses a modified laser-cutter to print, assemble and finish a working drone that then flies off the build plate, with only the tiniest human interventions.



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It uses a multifunction add-on that bolts onto the laser-cutter's head, and uses an accelerometer to locate itself in space over the build-plate. The add-on can dispense conductive silver paste and perform pick-and-place operations with a suction cup.

spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robo…

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The control system integrates the laser with the special head: it tidies up the silver paste traces into sub-millimetre traces, thermally cures the paste to solder components together.

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The money-shot is that robotically assembled drone taking off on its own, (almost) untouched by human hands.

Wow.

eof/