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Paper short abstract:

Means of production are limited to those with the infrastructure for manufacturing. The individual empowerment celebrated by the maker movement is overly optimistic about access to low-volume precise production. I present machine prototypes as an alternate theory for digital fabrication tools.

Paper long abstract:

Computer numerical control of fabrication equipment has enabled the repeatable production of highly precise objects. 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC milling machines have become cheaper. Fablabs and maker spaces have provided broader access to these types of tools. However, I argue that these improvements to digital fabrication tools are insufficient for improving access to the complexity and precision that computer numeric control affords. I present new machine building infrastructure that addresses the current limitations of digital fabrication tools.

I have observed a large-scale architectural sheet metal fabricator's R&D department, fablab users participating in a digital fabrication course, students of advanced manufacturing in an engineering bachelor's program, and computational designers in a small-scale professional studio. In these observations, I divide digital fabrication tools into the sub-parts Mechanical Systems, Sensors and Actuators, Control Systems, Communication Protocols, Interfaces, Toolpath Software, and Design Software. While 3D printers might have moved into more accessible spaces, I note that perceived expertise and best practices are not as easily carried to an alternate site. Informed by the limitations I observed users encounter with current tools, I develop infrastructure in the form of mechanical designs, hardware, firmware, and software. Here I emphasise invisible translations users perform to move data between design, toolpath, and machine. This infrastructure is used by myself and others to build digital fabrication tools I present as manifestations of an alternate theory of machine building. With this infrastructure and its deployment, I mean to challenge dominant means of production.