Augmented Woodworking

Abstract

This thesis explores the use of a head mounted, line-of-sight Augmented Reality device which supports woodworking tasks in the fabrication process of furniture, such as preparing a layout of parts on a sheet of plywood, generating a cutting list, setting-up a table saw for precise cuts, and previewing the furniture. The design of a new line of sight application for woodworking is based on observations in the wood shop, try-outs in the form of applying woodworking techniques in the fabrication of a cabinet, and work with expert craftsmen in the shop. Insights into woodworking were combined with a review of the emerging technologies of head-mounted Augmented Reality devices to investigate design requirements for the integration of an AR system into the woodworking setting. The resulting design is presented as a video prototype that illustrates new types of line-of-sight visual support for woodworking.