Many HCI fabrication systems are compelling as prototypes but remain difficult to reuse, extend, or transfer beyond their original publication. A common explanation is that adoption simply takes time. We argue that the issue is more fundamental. The knowledge needed to make fabrication systems transferable, namely how they behave across different materials, machines, and users, usually does not exist at the time of publication because the work required to generate this knowledge is rarely incentivized or rewarded. Drawing on engineering epistemology and prior debates in systems-oriented HCI, we reframe engineering maturity as epistemic work: sustained engineering effort that produces knowledge which prototyping alone cannot reveal. We propose six dimensions, Fab-ilities, as a vocabulary to describe what aspects of fabrication artifacts have become established and what knowledge remains tacit: (1) buildability, (2) executability, (3) reliability, (4) maintainability, (5) transferability, and (6) scalability. We describe five of our own projects (JigFab, StoryStick++, Silicone Devices, LamiFold, and PaperPulse), where varied attempts at dissemination, such as commercialization, spin-offs, and market exploration, each exposed different gaps between what we published and what transfer actually required.

The majority of errors in making processes can be tracked back to errors in dimensional specifications. While technical aspects of measurement, such as precision and speed have been extensively studied in metrology, the user aspects of measurement received significantly less attention. While little research exists that specifically addresses the user aspects of handling dimensions, various systems have been built that embed new interactive modalities, processes, and techniques which significantly impact how users deal with dimensions or conduct measurements. However, these features are mostly hidden in larger system contributions. To uncover and articulate these techniques, we conducted a holistic literature survey on measurement practices in crafting techniques and systems for rapid prototyping. Based on this survey, we contribute 10 measurement patterns, which describe reusable elements and solutions for common difficulties when dealing with dimensions throughout workflows for making physical artifacts.

We present History in Motion (HiM), an interactive visualization tool that enables CAD designers to interactively explore the design history of 3D CAD models. In contrast to manually exploring the modeling history of a CAD project, HiM finds relevant modeling features for geometry elements selected by the designer. We contribute a novel 3D interactive animation that visualizes how the modeling features interact, and are used on top of the CAD model, to realize the geometry. A control panel allows for a deeper exploration of the modeling features, with shortcuts for making modifications.

Laser cutters take vector data for the shapes they cut or engrave as input, however, re-using a given design with different material or on a different machine requires adaptation of the template. Unfortunately, vector drawings lack the semantic information required for an automated adjustment to new parameters, making the manual adjustment a tedious and error-prone process for end-users. We present LaserSVG, a standard-compliant vector-based file format, software library, and authoring tool to specify, generate, exchange and re-use responsive laser-cutting templates. With LaserSVG, designers can easily turn their vector-drawings into parametric templates that end-users can easily adjust to new materials or production parameters. Our tools provide various functions for parametric design that allows end-users and designers to adapt objects while ensuring overall consistency of the results.

Currently process engineers are using documents or authoring tools to bring the assembly instructions to the work floor. This is a time-consuming task, as instructions need to be created for each assembly operation. Furthermore, the engineer needs to be familiar with the assembly sequence. To assist the engineer, a tool is developed that i) uses a heuristic based on visibility, part similarity and proximity to semi-automatically determine the assembly sequence from a CAD model and ii) according to the computed sequence generates digital work instructions including visualizations and animations extracted from the CAD model. In essence, the assembly sequence generation works reversely: it determines the order in which components can be removed from the assembly, by evaluating whether the visibility of a component is obstructed by the remaining assembly. The reversed order is then returned as assembly sequence. During this process the engineer can modify the proposed sequence, add annotations and alter the visualizations of the proposed instructions, i.e., images or 3D-animations. We illustrate that the developed tool effectively supports process engineers and speeds up the creation of digital work instructions by some industrial validation cases, e.g., the assembly of a weaving machine.

Virtual Reality (VR) allows simulation of machine control panels without physical access to the machine, enabling easier and faster initial exploration, testing, and validation of machine panel designs. However, haptic feedback is indispensable if we want to interact with these simulated panels in a realistic manner. We present HapticPanel, an encountered-type haptic system that provides realistic haptic feedback for machine control panels in VR. To ensure a realistic manipulation of input elements, the user's hand is continuously tracked during interaction with the virtual interface. Based on which virtual element the user intends to manipulate, a motorized panel with stepper motors moves a corresponding physical input element in front of the user's hand, enabling realistic physical interaction.

We present JigFab, an integrated end-to-end system that supports casual makers in designing and fabricating con- structions with power tools. Starting from a digital version of the construction, JigFab achieves this by generating vari- ous types of constraints that configure and physically aid the movement of a power tool. Constraints are generated for ev- ery operation and are custom to the work piece. Constraints are laser cut and assembled together with predefined parts to reduce waste. JigFab's constraints are used according to an interactive step-by-step manual. JigFab internalizes all the required domain knowledge for designing and building intri- cate structures, consisting of various types of finger joints, tenon & mortise joints, grooves, and dowels. Building such structures is normally reserved for artisans or automated with advanced CNC machinery.

Collaborative robot-assisted production has great potential for high variety low volume production lines. These type of production lines are common in both personal fabrication settings as well as in several types of flexible production lines. Moreover, many assembly tasks are in fact hard to complete by a single user or a single robot, and benefit greatly from a fluent collaboration between both. However, programming such systems is cumbersome, given the wide variation of tasks and the complexity of instructing a robot how it should move and operate in collaboration with a human user. In this paper we explore the case of collaborative assembly for personal fabrication. Based on a CAD model of the envisioned product, our software analyzes how this can be composed from a set of standardized pieces and suggests a series of collaborative assembly steps to complete the product. The proposed tool removes the need for the end-user to perform additional programming of the robot. We use a low-cost robot setup that is accessible and usable for typical personal fabrication activities in Fab Labs and Makerspaces. Participants in a first experimental study testified that our approach leads to a fluent collaborative assembly process. Based on this preliminary evaluation, we present next steps and potential implications.

Makerspaces are creative and learning environments, home to activities such as fabrication processes and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tasks. How- ever, containing equipment that are not commonly seen or handled, these spaces can look rather challenging to novice users. This paper is based on the Smart Makerspace research from Autodesk, which uses a smart workbench for an immersive instructional space for DIY tasks. Having its functionalities in mind and trying to overcome some of its limitations, we approach the concept build- ing an immersive instructional space as a web platform. The platform, intro- duced to users in a makerspace, had a feedback that reflects its potential be- tween novice and intermediate users, for creating facilitators and encouraging these users.