Building 3D-Printed Widgets to Incorporate into Prototypes

Creating interactive prototypes can be a long and difficult process. It requires expertise in various fields. Prior work in developing interactive prototypes minimize time required to make a prototype, but generally sacrifice fidelity for fluidity. Advances in 3D printing create new opportunities to...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Brandt, David E
Format: Others
Published: BYU ScholarsArchive 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5625
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6624&context=etd
Description
Summary:Creating interactive prototypes can be a long and difficult process. It requires expertise in various fields. Prior work in developing interactive prototypes minimize time required to make a prototype, but generally sacrifice fidelity for fluidity. Advances in 3D printing create new opportunities to prototype with greater fidelity and fluidity. We investigate the use of several kinds of sensors, including IR photo interrupters, IR photo reflectors, push button switches, and potentiometers, to create interactive prototypes. We first design a library of 3D printable interaction components, buttons, sliders, and knobs using those sensors then we develop software to transform interaction events into events in computer programs. The combinations of interaction components and sensing devices are evaluated based on their durability and ability to be printed into prototypes and used as human-computer interface devices.