Freehand lasercutting

Joining 3D printers in the personal fabricator realm is this interactive lasercutter called Constructable that has you draw on the wood with a laser pointer where you want it to cut, circumventing the standard process of designing a part on the computer.

The system uses different laser pointers that correspond to different tools, one for rounded corners, one for gears, etc. That way it can interpret your gesture and smooth it out into the correct form.

This probably won’t replace all or even most fabrication use cases since the measurements of what you’re making are usually important. But for artists, visual thinkers, or people looking for quick and dirty rapid prototyping, this seems like a great new opportunity.

(via product by process)