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Basket Budddy 2.0

MIT Fall 2020
Course: 4.140J / MAS.863J How to Make (almost) Anything
Professor: Neil Gershenfeld

Though this started as an exploration of active-bending structures through physical model making, it led to an idea about a simple machine for measuring lengths of rattan called Basket Buddy. In the fall of 2020 I took How to Make (almost) Anything at MIT where for my final project I made a more advanced version of Basket Buddy, Basket Buddy 2.0, which not only measured but also marked and cut lengths of rattan. In addition to the mechanical improvements, Basket Buddy 2.0 also came with a software GUI for visualizing basket designs and sending commands to the machine. Basket Buddy 2.0 runs on custom hardware, software and electronics.

Responsive image — Fabricated basket shown in simulation.

The machine can be understood in three modules: one for feeding the rattan with a mechanism modeled on a 3D printing filament feed; one for marking the rattan using a spring-loaded pencil lead; and one for cutting the rattan using a pair of sawed off reed snips. Each module is driven by a stepper motor.

From this simple machine, any number of baskets may be assembled.