Automated Tabletop Cutter Brings Manufacturing Home

The Microfactory can cut patterns uploaded via Bluetooth

By Jeremy Hsu Posted 07.15.2009 at 1:45 pm 5 Comments

Microfactory Cutter DK Ahn's tabletop cutting device can create flat-pack patterns from downloaded plans. DK Ahn

A new tabletop cutting device promises to make at-home fabrication as easy as Ikea. Microfactory MOW is a portable tabletop cutter that can cut patterns from thin sheet materials, including cardboard, wood, and polypropylene. Even better, designers can share their patterns online and also upload new designs to MOW via Bluetooth.

The device is the brainchild of DK Ahn, a designer and graduate of London's Royal College of Arts. She hopes that MOW can help people reuse materials at home, and avoid the current supply chain required to bring products to consumers. Fast Company remains a bit skeptical about whether people will jump onboard with that agenda, but adds that MOW could take advantage of many good designs which are already flat-pack.

Such technologies may herald a new age when manufacturing leaves the industrial assembly lines and moves into the home for DIY, create-on-demand production. We're eager to see this, along with 3-D printers and other desktop factory technologies become the norm.

[via Fast Company via Core77]

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5 Comments

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ford2go

07/16/09 at 12:07 am

I'd think that it would have to be able to cut thicker and more varied materials to be realistic (plastic, laminates, wood, some metals).

It would also be nice to see a demo of something more practical than a cardboard coat hangar.

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scott_t

07/16/09 at 7:21 am

That was a pretty weak video. From all the set up and babying the device it'd be a zillion times easier to break out a knife.

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Churchmore

07/16/09 at 8:45 am

Easier yes, but not as cool as watching this little gadget move around on its own. I am also amazed at how that have turned large CNC devices into this little one...even if it does make weird cardboard hangars.

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Cat777

07/27/09 at 8:48 am

Just curious

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AlienPizza

07/30/09 at 3:18 pm

I want one... I like the idea of the precision possible with this product, even if only to make templates for cutting harder thicker stuff. With the right speed of movement, high speed motor with high torque, and the proper cutting bit, you could cut thicker materials. Cutting thicker materials could also create high heat due to the friction applied to the bit, shortening the life of it. This is ideal for the person that can visualize but not create an idea, and the person that cannot handle or does not have the knowledge to operate other tools.

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