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dc.contributor.advisorLeah Buechley.en_US
dc.contributor.authorMellis, David Adleyen_US
dc.contributor.otherMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. Program in Media Arts and Sciences.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2012-03-16T14:42:46Z
dc.date.available2012-03-16T14:42:46Z
dc.date.copyright2011en_US
dc.date.issued2011en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/69675
dc.descriptionThesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2011.en_US
dc.descriptionThis electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.en_US
dc.descriptionCataloged from PDF version of thesis.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (p. 67-69).en_US
dc.description.abstractThis thesis explores the effects of digital fabrication on the design, production, and customization of consumer electronic devices. It does so through a series of three case studies - a radio, a pair of speakers, and a computer mouse - that combine a custom electronic circuit board with a digitally-fabricated (laser-cut or 3D-printed) enclosure. For each case study, the thesis describes the construction and prototyping of the product and a workshop in which participants modified the design and made the device for themselves. This customization was enabled by the sharing of the design files for the products following the principles and practices of open-source. The case studies are used to draw practical lessons about the application of electronics, the laser-cutter, and the 3D printer in the digital fabrication of consumer electronic products. Implications are drawn for the open-sourcing of each of these elements and for the software tools used to the design them. The case studies also illustrate four modes of production that digital fabrication enables for electronic devices: one-off, artisanal, kit, and a hybrid mass/custom production. Additionally, they shed light on the types of customization and the human roles that digital fabrication implies for consumer electronics. Three main themes emerge: diversity in design and production, personal connection with devices, and leveraging of the power of software for the making of hardware.en_US
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby David Adley Mellis.en_US
dc.format.extent71 p.en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherMassachusetts Institute of Technologyen_US
dc.rightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.urihttp://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582en_US
dc.subjectArchitecture. Program in Media Arts and Sciences.en_US
dc.titleCase studies in the digital fabrication of open-source consumer electronic productsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.description.degreeS.M.en_US
dc.contributor.departmentProgram in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
dc.identifier.oclc777964403en_US


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