A series of tubes

Abstract

Figure 1. A collection of interactive objects designed using our tool. All have electronic sensing or actuation components routed through their interior. Left: a radio, haptic feedback rabbit, maze, and presence-aware pen holder. Center: touch-sensitive toys. Right: custom neon signs. ABSTRACT3D printers offer extraordinary flexibility for prototyping the shape and mechanical function of objects. We investigate how 3D models can be modified to facilitate the creation of interactive objects offering dynamic input and output. We introduce a general technique to support rapidly prototyping interactivity by removing interior material from 3D models to form internal pipes. We describe the design space of pipes for interaction design, where variables include openings, path constraints, topologies, and inserted media. We then present PipeDream, a tool for routing internal pipes through 3D models, integrated within a 3D modeling program. We use two distinct routing algorithms. The first has users define pipes' terminals and uses path routing and physics-based simulation to minimize pipe bending energy, allowing easy insertion of media post-print. The second lets users supply a desired internal shape to which it fits a pipe route: for this we describe a graph-routing algorithm. We present prototypes created using our tool showing its flexibility and potential.

Tactlets

“…We present two approaches for printing Tactlets on 3D objects, using conduc tive inkjet printing or FDM 3D printing. Empirical results from a psychophysical study and findings from two practi cal application cases confirm the functionality and practical feasibility of the Tactlets approach.•Human-centered computing → Human computer inter action (HCI); Haptic devices; Interactive systems and tools; Interface design prototyping;Digital fabrication has been proposed as a new method for rapid prototyping of interactive devices [10,25,34,32,44]. By printing the custom device, rather than manually assembling it from conventional electronic components, the fabrication process can be considerably simplified and sped up.…”

“…Digital fabrication has been proposed as a new method for rapid prototyping of interactive devices [10,25,34,32,44]. By printing the custom device, rather than manually assembling it from conventional electronic components, the fabrication process can be considerably simplified and sped up.…”

“…At the same time, as printable electronics commonly are very thin and deformable, more demanding geometries and advanced I/O capabilities can be realized. Prior work has demonstrated ap proaches based on printed electronics to equip custom-shaped 3D objects with various types of printed sensors for capturing user input [11,34,44,45,54] and printable output compo nents, including light-emitting displays [35,54] and actuators for shape-change [7,57].However, tactile output was so far left unaddressed. Fab ricating custom interactive objects that include computercontrolled tactile output still relies on manually assembling conventional components [15,36].…”

Finding Common Ground

“…As an alternative to inkjet printing, vinyl cutters can create customized adhesive electrodes [175] or cut a substrate for composite electrode materials, e.g., conductive tattoos [98]. To build larger sensing systems, conductive paint can be used to apply electrodes on wall surfaces [18,174]. To bridge the resulting gap between electrodes and electronics, CircuitStickers use pre-fabricated adhesive electronic components [91].…”

“…For example, capacitive sensing can be enabled on printed objects by filling tubes inside the objects with conductive inks [174], interrupting the print process to integrate electronics [181] or combining conductive and non-conductive print materials [20,123,177]. Conductive yarns and fabrics open new possibilities for flexible electrode design, e.g., the integration into clothing [8,30,92,152,185].…”