6.S080: Mechanical Invention through Computation

Profs. Erik Demaine, Chuck Hoberman, Daniela Rus

Spring 2013

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Week

Lecture

Workshop

Task

1

Feb. 11

Introduction

·        Background and introduction of instructors

·        Concept of transformable design

·        Invention — themes & principles

Assignment 1: make 2 slides of your background & interests

Feb. 18

President's day (no class)

2

Feb. 19

Mechanism Basics

·        Interesting historic linkages

·        Types of kinematic connections

·        Degrees of freedom

·        Relating shape/surface to movement/kinematics

·        Types of scissor structures

·        Angulated linkages — basic geometry

·        Expanding polygons — design technique

·        Case studies

Students present slides
Demos of prototypical linkages

Assignment 2: Linkage studies

3

Feb. 25

Expanding Structures — 2D

·        Expanding wheels (polygons with center-pivot)

·        Expanding grid linkages (jitterbug)

·        Constant angle perimeter linkages

·        Generalized angulated linkages (non-parallelogram)

·        Case studies

Review Assignment 2

Assignment 3: Expanding structures

4

Mar. 4

Origami

·        Thick origami

·        Mechanized folding

·        Structural considerations

·        Foldability theorems

·        Design algorithms

Review Assignment 3
Issue final project

Assignment 4: Develop proposal ideas

5

Mar. 11

Expanding Structures — 3D

·        Use of 'hub' elements to introduce 3D curvature

·        Geometric relationships: mechanisms to surface

·        Design techniques for proportioning links and hubs

·        Case studies

Initial proposal discussion

Assignment 5:
Students form groups and develop project proposals

6

Mar. 18

Iris Structures

·        Circular

·        Warped disks (Ruled surfaces)

·        Non-circular

·        Case studies

Further proposal discussion
Review Assignment 4

Assignment 6:

Student groups produce final proposal

Mar. 25

Spring Vacation (no class)

7

Apr. 1

Special Topics

·        Parametrics

·        Physical construction

·        Control strategies

·        Case studies

Review project proposals and initial progress

Assignment 7: Group Meetings

8

Apr. 8

Deployable Truss Linkages

·        Methods to synchronize 4-bar linkage chains

·        Structural strategies for deployable shelters

·        Circle-conforming' 4-bar linkage chains

·        Case studies

Project updates

Prepare interim presentation

Apr. 15

Patriot's Day (no class)

9

Apr. 22

Surface Mechanisms

·        Retractable Surface Mechanisms

·        Panel Mechanisms (facades)

·        Case Studies

Present initial design/prototype/software

10

Apr. 29

Morphing Shapes

Project updates

11

May 6

Advanced Topics

Project updates

12

May 13

Project Presentations