View source for The three axes of the Center for Bits and Atoms

= The three axes =

Taken as a loose transcript from an interview with Neil Gershenfeld.

== Axis1: Scales ==

Similar processes across scales<br>
nano-micro-meso-macro

<hr>
In advanced [[APM]] context this relates to the repeating (or more like rhyming) pattern <br>
across the [[assembly levels]] in [[convergent assembly]]. <br>
See the table on page: [[Gemstone_metamaterial_on_chip_factory#Stage_vs_step_table]] <br>
Also: [[Hierarchical selfassembly]]

== Axis2: Tools ==

* 10 x 1Mio$ – research tools
* 10 x 100k$ – workshop tools – to make the machines
* 10 x 10k$ – 3D printer and lasercutters – to make projects => how to make almost anything class and fablabs
* 10 x 1k$ – machines made with the machines that can virally reproduce (RepRaps) 

== Axis3: Nature of manufacturing ==

=== Computers controlling machines === 

First CNC mill 1952 MIT<br>
([[Digital manufacturing]] I think)

The "buy the whole non-locally pre-produced machines" phase. <br>
Exponential scale-up of fablabs due to a standard inventory. <br>
Like an open source hardware BOM.

=== Rapid prototyping of rapid prototyping ===
 
Rather than picking a machine compose the machine. <br>
* number of axes
* open-loop / closed-loop (sensors or not I suppose)
* additive / subtractive

Machines keep changing with projects. <br>
Tools are expressive of what you do with them. You compose the too for the task at hand on the fly.
A standard set of building blocks for machines rather than a standard set of machines. <br>

This is still "print and cut" (rather big machine modules with complex innards as monolithic pre-produced to compose I suppose).

High level software needs to directly interfave with low level hardware. <br>
Things like *.stl file triangulations and *.gcode files (batch processing indirections) need to be killed off. <br>

Related: Direct control, stateless actuators, jumping over triangulation (stl) and slicing (gcode). <br>
No batch-processing in the [[decompression chain]]. <br>
Lowest level machine control (microstep motor signals) <br>
directly from high level code.

=== Assembling and disassembling ===

* MicroLEGO
* Modular carbon fiber structures

Digi-key in stock: 500k types of Transistors, 500k types of Capacitors, 500k types of Inductors <br>
"Assembler" can make all these out of 3 parts (seems questionable …) (not referring to [[molecular assembler]]s here obviously)
Make anything from just 20 parts

Different machines and supply chains merged in just one machine.

([[Digital control over matter]] I think)

=== Programmable materials (why this name?) ===

Assemblers assembling assemblers (not necessarily nanoscale). <br>
Self replicating machines.

Machines go away. Life in inorganic materials.

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Related: [[RepRec pick-and-place robots (GemGum)]] <br>
Wiki authors comment: There is nothing remotely life like on this though. <br>
There's a complete lack of independent nanoscale self contained capability of evolving. <br>
For that macroscale computers and macroscale minds are needed (human or AI no matter). <br>
What applies id the [[Replication pentagon]] rather than the [[reproduction hexagon]]. <br>

For some super-speculative SciFi thoughts see: [[Gem-gum goo]] & [[Artificial life]]

= Thoughts to this =

TODO

= Related =

* [[Center for Bits and Atoms]]
* [[Digital control over matter]]
* [[Decompression chain]]

= External links =

* Summary of the tour at 26:05 [https://youtu.be/JtKi8lNSqvw?t=1565 Adam Savage's Maker Tour: MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms (Part 4)]
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The whole tour:
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL445W23shmK24Ei4lvsPYr7BvuykmcOxr Adam Savage's Maker Tour: MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms (playlist)]
* [https://youtu.be/RaHMDNf56W4 Adam Savage's Maker Tour: MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms (Part 1)]
* [https://youtu.be/_kFC0CBjk1Q Adam Savage's Maker Tour: MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms (Part 2)]
* [https://youtu.be/kyywuojz8f0 Adam Savage's Maker Tour: MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms (Part 3)]
* [https://youtu.be/JtKi8lNSqvw Adam Savage's Maker Tour: MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms (Part 4)]
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* Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_control Numerical_control]