The FreeD - a handheld digital milling device for craft and fabrication

The FreeD is a hand-held, digitally controlled, milling device that is guided and monitored by a computer while still preserving the craftsperson's freedom to sculpt and carve. The computer will intervene only when the milling bit approaches the planned model. Its interaction is either by slowing down the spindle speed or by drawing back the shaft; the rest of the time it allows complete freedom, letting the user to manipulate and shape the work in any creative way.

The idea of the FreeD is to allow designers to engage with the physical material and not just with the CAD environment, and to let them do their interpretations to the virtual model. By that, designers can create something that is one of a kind, unique based on a generic design.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Bob McNeel]

Amit, you are having too much fun!

Cheers, - Bob

[Amit Zoran]

Yes I am :-)

[chocomalk]

This might make a great surgical tool!

[TiagoTiagoT]

Somthing interesting to try for Halloween would be to 3d scan a punpkin, apply some digital carving to the model, then use that device to make the carving real.

[TiagoTiagoT]

Reminds me of that scene of a kid sculpting a dolphin on Star Trek (i don't remember the episode, but it was not on the original series, somthing on TNG or newer)

[mailboxqwert]

Wow great idea! but i was wondering how does your tool react when you use the side of the deburrer and get into tight areas

[Seth Hunter]

This is going to be a classic media lab project. I love the blend of the human and machine.

[k238]

nice tool except that fastrak costs more than 6k $.

[shadywalker]

Anyone who fails to see how this allows for creative process, and accurate production (fidelity between what was desired and what was produced) is not worth paying attention to. This is an amazing tool.

[EmperorOfMars]

high production volume means your a factory worker, not a sculptor. A sculptor creates, not copy.