My name is Danny Leen, and I work as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hasselt in Belgium. I’m curious about digital fabrication (e.g., 3D printing, Lasercutting, and CNC Milling). My research focuses on lowering the barrier to design and fabrication for (non-expert) users. More specifically, in terms of “Unitless fabrication” as a digital fabrication technique, why do we require (end-user) measurement when we have an entirely digital process?
The early nineteenth-century industrial revolution brought with it the necessity for measurement and precision, as pieces had to fit together and be mass-produced to tolerances. This pursuit of precision in industry gave rise to new professions such as metrology, as well as a wealth of modern machinery and devices. Several of these technologies, including digital fabrication machines, have become widely available and accessible to makers, DIY enthusiasts, researchers, and educators in a variety of fields over the last decade. While the widespread availability of digital fabrication tools allows many people outside of the engineering field to experiment with new ideas and prototype physical artifacts, these novel technologies also expose users to the very precise specifications used in industry, for which digital fabrication machines and supporting software tools were originally developed. Measurements and exact specifications, on the other hand, are a major cause of errors in fabrication operations. This research assessed fabrication, prototyping, and craft from a measurement approach, with a focus on their user aspects, and describes many unique fabrication methodologies that demonstrate how to fabricate without the use of explicit measurements.
Digital fabrication allows users to fabricate objects without the need of measuring. However, designing digital 3D objects is generally done using calipers, rulers, protractors and other physical measurement tools. In my research I develop novel interfaces that allow users to design and fabricate objects without measuring.
I graduated, Cum laude, at Luca School of Arts in Genk (Association KU Leuven). With a thesis titled Haptic Music Creation that explored novel techniques for generating haptic feedback when creating digital music.
Katholieke Hogeschool Limburg
LamiFold: Fabricating Objects with Integrated Mechanisms Using a Laser cutter Lamination Workflow We present LamiFold, a novel design and fabrication workflow for making functional mechanical
We present StackMold, a DIY molding technique to prototype multi-material and multi-colored objects with embedded electronics. The key concept of our approach is a novel
We present JigFab, an integrated end-to-end system that supports casual makers in designing and fabricating constructions with power tools. Starting from a digital version of
StrutModeling: A Low-Fidelity Construction Kit to Iteratively Model, Test, and Adapt 3D Objects We present StrutModeling, a computationally enhanced construction kit that enables users without
When discussing maker culture, much attention is dedicated to how making can be beneficial for specific fields (e.g. healthcare, education) or various communities of makers
This article explores self-fabrication by novice participants in a FabLab for a Participatory Design (PD) research project ‘Bespoke Design’. We developed bespoke tools for self-managing
This article discusses the role of a FabLab as a research and making environment within the ‘Bespoke Design’ research project and its implications for the
FabLabs are mostly known for their problem-solving approach since they allow people to develop and perfect a prototype of ‘almost any product’, using the available
In this paper we present a series of Fab Lab workshops on reusing and repurposing existing objects. These workshops, called ‘Hack-a-Thing’, were organized as part
LamiFold: Fabricating Objects with Integrated Mechanisms Using a Laser cutter Lamination Workflow We present LamiFold, a novel design and fabrication workflow for making functional mechanical
We present StackMold, a DIY molding technique to prototype multi-material and multi-colored objects with embedded electronics. The key concept of our approach is a novel
We present JigFab, an integrated end-to-end system that supports casual makers in designing and fabricating constructions with power tools. Starting from a digital version of
For the course Tech Lab & Prototyping, we designed and built a giant led wall, and we developed new ways to interact with it.
Tech Lab is an interaction design course Lieven Menschaert and myself teach. It’s become a tradition to build socially awkward robots. https://youtu.be/Nykymr2mIyk
Tech Lab is an Interaction design course Lieven Menschaert and myself teach. Our first venture into animatronics. https://youtu.be/QSzNd3qWTm0
StrutModeling: A Low-Fidelity Construction Kit to Iteratively Model, Test, and Adapt 3D Objects We present StrutModeling, a computationally enhanced construction kit that enables users without
Key Sampler is an audio-video instrument that allows the player to trigger part of a video and audio sample, transpose the sound and run through
https://youtu.be/PINY4kcF59whttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWuPvaPZOJ4 Screens, LEDs, and sliders are common components of digital music interfaces. The interaction choices for the musician are in a completely different order than
The Blob prefers the majority’s musical tastes; trying to persuade it to play something it dislikes needs a lot of massaging. The blob is alive
Skindeep is an interactive game with physical feedback such as muscle stimulation and warmth. This serious game educates children about the functions of the skin.
With support of Flanders Make, FabLab Genk will organise free STEM (international abbreviation for “Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics”) workshops for elementary and junior high school; and more specifically
OPAK’s ‘Design op Maat’ (Bespoke Design) (2012-2015) investigates the possibilities of a ‘FabLab and open design for the development of self-management tools for and with persons
The project Z-out is an art project from Z33 that will place artworks in the scenery of the region the first city is Borgloon where
FabLabs in the border region (Interreg IV) (2011-2015) encouraged cooperation between students and researchers from universities and university colleges, as well as industry and the
