Abstract: Building from our previous work we explore HandiMate, a robotics kit which enables users to construct and animate their toys using everyday craft materials. The kit contains eight joint modules, a tablet interface and a glove...
The Status, Challenges, and Future of Additive Manufacturing in Engineering
Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) is poised to bring about a revolution in the way products are designed, manufactured, and distributed to end users. This technology has gained significant academic as well as industry interest due to its...
Hand Grasp and Motion for Intent Expression in Mid-Air Virtual Pottery
Abstract:Â We describe the design and evaluation of a geometric interaction technique for bare-hand mid-air virtual pottery. We model the shaping of a pot as a gradual and progressive convergence of the pot-profile to the shape of the user's hand...
A Gesture-free Geometric Approach for Mid-Air Expression of Design Intent
Abstract: The advent of depth cameras has enabled mid-air interactions for shape modeling with bare hands. Typically, these interactions employ a finite set of pre-defined hand gestures to allow users to specify modeling operations in virtual...
Sketcholution: Interaction Histories for Sketching
Abstract: We present Sketcholution, a method for automatically creating visual histories of hand-drawn sketches. Such visual histories are useful for a designer to reflect on a sketch, communicate ideas to others, and fork from or revert to an...
Informing Early Design Via Crowd-based Co-creation
Abstract: Customer inputs in the early stages of design can potentially lead to completely new outlooks in concept generation. We propose crowd-based co-creation as a means to this end. Our main idea is to think of the customer as a source of...
HandiMate: Create and Animate using everyday objects
Abstract: The combination of technological progress and a growing interest in design has promoted the prevalence of DIY (Do It Yourself) and craft activities. In a similar spirit, we introduce HandiMate, a platform that makes it easier to fabricate...
Heat-Passing Framework for Robust Interpretation of Data in Networks
Abstract: Researchers are regularly interested in interpreting the multipartite structure of data entities according to their functional relationships. Data is often heterogeneous with intricately hidden inner structure. With limited prior...
TIMMi: Finger-worn Textile Input Device with Multimodal Sensing in Mobile Interaction
Abstract: We introduce TIMMi, a textile input device for mobile interactions. TIMMi is worn on the index finger to provide a multimodal sensing input metaphor. The prototype is fabricated on a single layer of textile where the conductive silicone...
SOFTii: Soft Tangible Interface for Continuous Control of Virtual Objects with Pressure-based Input
Abstract: We present SOFTii, a flexible input system for topography design and continuous control via external force. Our intent is to provide a tactile metaphor for pressure-based surface input. In this study, two prototypes of SOFTii have been...
GestureAnalyzer: Visual Analytics for Pattern Analysis of Mid-Air Hand Gestures
Abstract: Understanding the intent behind human gestures is a critical  problem in the design of gestural interactions. A common method to observe and understand how users express gestures is to use elicitation studies. However, these studies...
Plex: Finger-Worn Textile Sensor for Mobile Interaction during Activities
Abstract: We present Plex, a finger-worn textile sensor for eyes-free mobile interaction during daily activities. Although existing products like a data glove possess multiple sensing capabilities, they are not designed for environments where body...
BendID: Flexible Interface for Localized Deformation Recognition
Abstract: We present BendID, a bendable input device that recognizes the location, magnitude and direction of its deformation. We use BendID to provide users with a tactile metaphor for pressure based input. The device is constructed by layering an...
Art Meets Engineering Design: An Approach for Reducing Sketch Inhibition in Engineers During the Design Process
Abstract: While much prior work has been done regarding sketching and its impact on design and a few on how to train engineers to sketch, there have been no prior studies in engineering to reduce inhibition to frequent sketching. This paper...
Evaluating the Bottom-Up Method for Functional Decomposition in Product Dissection Tasks
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to continue to explore which function identification methods work best for specific design tasks. Prior literature describes the top-down and bottom-up approaches as equivalent methods for functional...
Prioritizing Design for Environment Strategies Using a Stochastic Analytic Hierarchy Process
Abstract: This paper describes a framework for applying design for environment (DfE) within an industry setting. Our aim is to couple implicit design knowledge such as redesign/process constraints with quantitative measures of environmental...
KINETOGAMI, A Reconfigurable and Printable Sheet Folding
Abstract: As an ancient paper craft originating from Japan, origami has been naturally embedded and contextualized in a variety of applications in the fields of mathematics, engineering, food packaging, and biological design. The computational and...
Contextualizing Environmental Sustainability in Design Engineering Curricula
Abstract: Consideration of environmental sustainability is significantly altering the nature of the mechanical design process. This necessitates integration of sustainability related learning content in design engineering curricula. Although...
PROTO-TAI: Quick Design Prototyping using Tangible Assisted Interfaces
Abstract: In the real world, we use our innate manual dexterity to create and manipulate 3D objects. Conventional virtual design tools largely neglect this skill by imposing non-intuitive 2D control mechanisms for interacting with 3D design models....
Collaborative Sketching with skWiki: A Case Study
Abstract: Sketching for conceptual design has traditionally been performed on paper. Recent computational tools for conceptual design have leveraged the availability of hand-held computing devices and web-based collaborative platforms. Further,...
ViSER: Visualizing supply chains for eco-conscious redesign
Abstract: In this paper, we present ViSER, an interactive visual analytics platform that visualizes supply chain data for enabling eco-conscious redesign. ViSER provides a visualization dashboard consisting of multiple mutually coordinated views...
Remanufacturing of Turbine Blades by Laser Direct Deposition with Its Energy and Environmental Impact Analysis
Abstract: Laser direct deposition provides an attractive and cost effective means for repairing or remanufacturing high value engineering components. This study demonstrates the successful repair of defective voids in turbine airfoils based on a...
HexaMorph: A Reconfigurable and Foldable Hexapod Robot Inspired by Origami
Abstract: Origami affords the creation of diverse 3D objects through explicit folding processes from 2D sheets of material. Originally as a paper craft from 17th century AD, origami designs reveal the rudimentary characteristics of sheet folding:...
ChiroBot: Modular-Robotic Manipulation via Spatial Hand Gestures.
Abstract: We introduce ChiroBot, a cyber-physical construction kit that allows users to create custom robots out of craft material, easily assemble the robots using joint modules and control them using hand gestures. These hand-crafted robots are...
PuppetX: A Framework for Gestural Interactions With User Constructed Playthings
Abstract: We present PuppetX, a framework for both constructing playthings and playing with them using spatial body and hand gestures. This framework allows users to construct various playthings similar to puppets with modular components...
Tracing and Sketching Performance using Blunt-tipped Styli on Direct-Touch Tablets
Abstract: Direct-touch tablets are quickly replacing traditional pen-and-paper tools in many applications, but not in case of the designer’s sketchbook. In this paper, we explore the tradeoffs inherent in replacing such paper...
zPots : A Virtual Pottery Experience Through Spatial Interactions Using the Leap Motion Device
Abstract: We present zPots, an application for gesture-free hand-based design of virtual pottery enabled by the Leap Motion device. With zPots, a user can shape and color 3D pots by moving bare hands in the air with minimal or no training. Unlike...
Chiron: Interpreting signals from Capacitive Patterns and Inertial Sensors for intuitive Shape Modeling.
Abstract: We introduce Chiron: A wearable device for the hand that reads the digital and analogous signals from capacitive sensor patterns and orientation sensors, to interpret user-intent. Here, we explore two cases – (a) an unconventional...
Juxtapoze: Supporting Serendipity and Creative Expression in Clipart Compositions
Abstract: Juxtapoze is a clipart composition workflow that supports creative expression and serendipitous discoveries in the shape domain. We achieve creative expression by supporting a workflow of searching, editing, and composing: the user...
skWiki: A Multimedia Sketching System for Collaborative Creativity
Abstract: We present skWiki, a web application framework for collaborative creativity in digital multimedia projects, including text, hand-drawn sketches, and photographs. skWiki overcomes common drawbacks of existing wiki software by...
Understanding Abstraction In Design: A Comparison of Three Functional Analysis Methods for Product Dissection
Abstract: In design classes, functional analysis is a process that is typically used to assist students with identifying essential functions to aid in the development of their concepts. However, it has been observed that students sometimes struggle...
Profiling Energy Consumption of Smartphone Users for Environmentally Efficient Business Decisions
Abstract: The recent proliferation of electronic products has led to a strong unmet need for understanding environmental implications of new technologies. According to Nielsen, 66% of Americans ages 24-35 own a smartphone, providing...
shapeSift: Suggesting sustainable options in design reuse from part repositories
Abstract: shapeSift is a framework for supporting sustainability based decision making during selection of similar previous designs from part repositories. Our framework is designed for 3D part repositories that contain metadata pertaining to...
Understanding Brainstorming through Text Visualization
Abstract: Automated content analysis software tools have significantly aided in the study of design processes in the recent past. However, they suffer from the lack of domain knowledge and insight that a human expert can provide. In this paper, we...
Multiscale kernels using random walks
Abstract: 11th Symposium on Geometry processing, 3-5 July, Genova, Italy, 2013. Proceedings of the Computer Graphics Forum, Computer Graphics Forum, Volume 33, Issue 1, pages 164–177, 2014.
Shape-It-Up: Hand Gesture Based Creative Expression of 3D Shapes Using Intelligent Generalized Cylinders
Abstract: We present a novel interaction system, “Shape-It-Upâ€Â, for creative expression of 3D shapes through the naturalistic integration of human hand gestures with a modeling scheme dubbed intelligent generalized cylinders (IGC). To...
Extended Multitouch: Recovering Touch Posture & Identity Using Depth Cameras on a Pen+Touch Tabletop Interface
Abstract: Multitouch surfaces are becoming prevalent, but most existing technologies are only capable of detecting the user’s actual points of contact on the surface and not the identity, posture, and handedness of the user. In this paper,...
ACTIVE-Hand: Automatic Configurable Tactile Interaction in Virtual Environment
Abstract: We present a novel, low-power and untethered pneumatic haptic device, namely the ACTIVE-Hand, for realistic and real-time 3D gaming experience. Currently, body-motion based 3D gaming systems primarily use visual feedback to provide partly...
The evolution, challenges, and future of knowledge representation in product design systems
Abstract: Product design is a highly involved, often ill-defined, complex and iterative process, and the needs and specifications of the required artifact get more refined only as the design process moves toward its goal. An effective computer...
A Proposed Platform to Simplify the Integration of Electronics into a Mechanical Engineering Design Course
Abstract: The interdisciplinary nature of engineering design and the pervasiveness of electronics in most products has made it necessary for practitioners of “design thinking†to understand electronics and embedded systems, in order to...
Enhancing Visual Thinking in a Toy Design Course Using Freehand Sketching
Abstract: Engineering graduates in advancing economies are not only expected to have engineering knowledge, but also use them in creative and innovative ways. The importance of visual thinking has been critical for creativity and innovation in...
Handy-Potter: Rapid 3D Shape Exploration Through Natural Hand Motions
Abstract: We present the paradigm of natural and exploratory shape modeling by introducing novel 3D interactions for creating, modifying and manipulating 3D shapes using arms and hands. Though current design tools provide complex modeling...
Kaleidogami: Multi-Primitive Reconfigurable Artistic Structures
Abstract: In this paper we present our initial prototypical explorations as well as the associated transformative design concept called Kaleidogami™. This method is used for developing spatial objects that can be flattened,...
Designing-in Sustainability by Linking Engineering Curricula with K-12 Science Projects
Abstract:  In light of society’s increasing awareness with regards to the health of the environment, many engineering firms are hiring recent engineering graduates with project- (or course-) based experience in environmental...
Discovering Material Recovery Scenarios for Industrial Machinery
Abstract: Decision-making methodologies for evaluating a product’s end-of-life options have become a significant area of research. Extensive work has been carried out in the area of product recovery, e.g. module-based disassemblability,...
Teaching Design for Environment through Critique within a Project Based Product Design Course
Abstract:  Future environmental regulations are creating new employment requirements within traditional engineering organizations. These organizations require recent graduates to have a strong handle on environmental issues related to new...
Center-Shift: An Approach Towards Automatic Robust Mesh Segmentation (ARMS)
Abstract: In the area of 3D shape analysis, research in mesh segmentation has always been an important topic, as it is a fundamental low-level task which can be utilized in many applications including computer-aided design, computer animation,...
ME 444: Redesigning a Toy Design Course.
Abstract: Design is a complex process which requires several tools, knowledge and procedures in order to be successful. Although technology provide designers with new and improved tools, those tools should be placed in the right stage during the...
Towards locally and globally shape-aware reverse 3D modeling
Abstract: The process of re-creating CAD models from actual physical parts, formally known as digital shape reconstruction (DSR) is an integral part of product development, especially in re-design. While, the majority of current methods used in DSR...
Product and production systems life cycle and interaction
Abstract: This work package focuses on product life cycle and production system lifecycle. This work package describes these life cycles and then to consider the integration of product and production system life cycles. These aim at improving...