flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Plotting on the go: 3D-printed mechanical compass can print CAD drawings with high precision

Plotting on the go: 3D-printed mechanical compass can print CAD drawings with high precision

Design student Ken Nakagaki has adapted a device to work with CAD software to replicate digital files on paper.


By BD+C Staff | December 5, 2014
Photo courtesy Ken Nakagaki
Photo courtesy Ken Nakagaki

Dezeen shares the project of design student Ken Nakagaki, who has adapted a device to work with computer aided design (CAD) software to replicate digital files on paper.

The device, named Comp*pass, uses a mechanism similar to how traditional compass is used to draw a circle. Nakagaki told Dezeen that the original concept came from a sense of feeling curious about how it would feel like to draw a square using a compass.

Using a Bluetooth connection, the device transmits shapes from an electronic device such as a computer or iPhone to be drawn on paper, giving it the same precision as drawings produced using CAD software.

A 3D-printed ABS resin was used to make the prototype device. It contains a rotary encoder to detect the rotation angle, a servomotor to regulate the radius of a pen, LEDs, a switch and a micro controller.

Dezeen has the full story.

Related Stories

| Jul 29, 2014

AECOM's buying spree continues: Deal to acquire Hunt Construction Group in the works

The acquisition comes just two weeks after AECOM's $6 billion deal to acquire rival engineering and construction company URS Corp.

| Jul 29, 2014

MADGI hires David Stuart, AIA, as Studio Director in New York City

Stuart will support the firm's $375 million multifamily residential design studio.

| Jul 29, 2014

Best practices for public-private partnerships: Free AIAI guide

Resource explores P3 best practices, including legislation and procurement methods.

| Jul 29, 2014

Blood center uses architecture to encourage blood donation [slideshow]

Designed by FAAB Architektura, the project's aesthetic was guided by its function. The color scheme, facade panel glossiness, and the irregularly elevated leitmotif were intentionally designed to evoke the "richness" of blood, according to the architects. 

| Jul 28, 2014

Reconstruction market benefits from improving economy, new technology [2014 Giants 300 Report]

Following years of fairly lackluster demand for commercial property remodeling, reconstruction revenue is improving, according to the 2014 Giants 300 report.

| Jul 28, 2014

Reconstruction Sector Construction Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]

Structure Tone, Turner, and Gilbane top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction contractor and construction management firms in the U.S.

| Jul 28, 2014

Reconstruction Sector Engineering Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]

Jacobs, URS, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction engineering and engineering/architecture firms in the U.S.

| Jul 28, 2014

Reconstruction Sector Architecture Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]

Stantec, HDR, and HOK top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction architecture and architecture/engineering firms in the U.S.

| Jul 28, 2014

LEO A DALY hires Peter Yakowicz to oversee VA projects

New hire will work with healthcare and federal market sectors on programs specifically for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category



Codes and Standards

New FEMA rules include climate change impacts

FEMA’s new rules governing rebuilding after disasters will take into account the impacts of climate change on future flood risk. For decades, the agency has followed a 100-year floodplain standard—an area that has a 1% chance of flooding in a given year.


Construction Costs

Data center construction costs for 2024

Gordian’s data features more than 100 building models, including computer data centers. These localized models allow architects, engineers, and other preconstruction professionals to quickly and accurately create conceptual estimates for future builds. This table shows a five-year view of costs per square foot for one-story computer data centers. 

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021