I combine traditional craftsmanship with digital tools through projects ranging from custom electronics design to CNC machining. My work explores how digital fabrication can enhance material properties and create new design possibilities.
Building on my UNFLATABLES research, I developed an integrated wearable soft robotics system featuring custom electronics, pneumatic actuators, and wireless networking. The project demonstrates advanced fabrication techniques combining PCB design, sensor integration, and material-driven interaction design for creating responsive haptic interfaces.
Haptic Heartstrings represents the evolution from material exploration to fully integrated electronic systems. I developed custom PCB designs, wireless sensor networks, and pneumatic control systems to create paired wearable devices that enable remote haptic communication between users through soft robotic actuators.
I designed and fabricated custom circuit boards integrating Xiao ESP32-C3 microcontrollers, MOSFET drivers for pneumatic control, and soft touch sensors embedded in silicone. The electronics enable wireless communication between devices and precise control of pneumatic inflation patterns for varied haptic experiences.
The system incorporates miniature air pumps controlled through PWM signals, creating programmable pressure sequences. I explored both traditional pumps and experimental piezoelectric microblowers, developing enclosure designs that integrate electronics, pneumatics, and soft actuators into comfortable wearable forms.
I developed WiFi-based networking protocols enabling communication between paired devices and created web-based control interfaces for adjusting system parameters. The project demonstrates how soft robotics can facilitate new forms of remote physical interaction and emotional connection through technology.
I designed and fabricated a parametric vinyl storage box using CNC milling, exploring precision manufacturing with plywood. The project involved creating complex joint systems, optimizing toolpaths for efficient material removal, and developing practical design solutions for fab lab storage needs.
This project involved designing a functional storage solution for vinyl rolls used with the lab's cutting equipment. I developed a parametric design in Fusion360 that accommodated variable roll dimensions and storage requirements while optimizing material usage across standard plywood sheets through strategic nesting algorithms.
The fabrication process required comprehensive toolpath planning, including feeds and speeds optimization for plywood machining. The design incorporated dog-bone fillets to accommodate tool radius limitations and strategic tab placement to ensure workpiece stability during machining operations.
After CNC machining, the wooden parts required extensive post-processing. Tabs were carefully removed using flush-cut saws and chisels, then sanded smooth to achieve clean edges. Surfaces were progressively sanded (120, 220, 400 grit) to prepare for assembly. Wood adhesive, clamps, and jigs ensured strong, precisely aligned joints, blending CNC precision with traditional woodworking techniques.
I developed a multi-part silicone mold system for casting complex geometric forms, exploring how digital fabrication can enable mass production of custom geometries.The project focused on the relationship between digital design tools and traditional casting techniques for finer surface finish.
This project involved creating Escher-style interlocking cat tiles through a multi-stage process combining CNC milling and casting techniques. I designed the tessellating pattern using GeoGebra's mathematical modeling capabilities, then developed the 3D geometry through successive Boolean operations to create the required wax mold geometry.
The fabrication process utilized a Roland MDX-40 CNC machine with a two-stage approach: roughing with a 6mm flat end mill for rapid material removal, followed by precision finishing with a 3mm tool. I optimized feeds and speeds based on manufacturer specifications, implementing conventional milling strategies with 0.1mm stepover for superior surface finish.
The casting workflow involved creating silicone negative molds using SmoothOn MoldStar, followed by final part production in Smooth-Cast 305 urethane. The process required precise mixing ratios, vacuum degassing to eliminate air bubbles, and careful pour techniques to achieve the fine detail resolution needed for the interlocking tile geometry.
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Combining traditional leather forming techniques with digital fabrication tools. This project explores leather molding using CNC-milled forms to create three-dimensional leather structures with precise geometric control.
This leather molding project represents a hybrid approach between digital fabrication and traditional craftsmanship. The process utilizes CNC-milled wooden forms to shape leather through controlled heat and moisture application, creating precise three-dimensional forms that would be difficult to achieve through hand-forming alone.
The technique involves careful temperature control (85°C water), timing considerations (2-3 minutes soaking depending on leather thickness), and proper mold design for effective leather forming. Key technical aspects include mold geometry optimization for leather stretch characteristics, surface finish requirements for mold release, and curing time management for permanent form retention. The project demonstrates how digital tools can enhance traditional craft techniques while preserving the material authenticity of leather work.
Advanced metal casting techniques combining 3D printing with traditional bronze casting methods. This project demonstrates the integration of digital fabrication tools with classical foundry techniques to create complex metal sculptures.
This bronze casting project showcases the integration of digital fabrication with traditional foundry techniques. The process involved creating a complex macaw parrot sculpture using a hybrid approach: 3D printing the base structure in PLA and covering with sculpted wax to achieve fine surface detail while maintaining structural integrity for the casting process.
Key technical challenges included managing minimum wall thickness requirements (4mm) for bronze casting, creating effective channel systems for metal flow, ceramic shell mold construction with multiple sand layers, and precise temperature control during burnout and casting phases. The project demonstrates advanced techniques in lost-wax casting, ceramic shell construction, and post-processing methods including grinding, welding, and patina application. The integration of 3D printing enabled complex hollow geometries while traditional wax working provided the fine surface detail required for high-quality bronze casting.
