Andy Cavatorta

MOTION CONTROL

This workshop introduces participants to the theory and practice of motion control. We cover electricity, magnetism, forces, fields, and how these are harnessed to produce motions with motors and actuators. And we will get acquainted with computer-controlled and closed-loop systems. We cover this material using slides, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.

AGENDA

Electricity: Fields and Forces

Magnetism: Fields and Forces

Electromagnetism

Solenoid Actuators

Brushed Motors, H-Bridges, and Pulse Width Modulation

Stepper Motors

Rotary Encoders and Zeroing

Closed-Loop Motion Control

ACOUSTIC OSCILLATORS:
STANDING WAVES AND AIR COLUMNS

Come explore the possibilities of physical sound and oscillators for immersive environments, acoustic synthesizers, architecture, sculpture, musical instruments, and more.

No code. No speakers. Just air, waves, tones, and textures.

Classes include slides, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.

AGENDA

Waves: Frequency, Amplitude, Phase

Waves: Superposition, Interference, and Standing Waves

DIY Thongophones and how to tune them

Pyrophones (flame organ)

Pipes: Organ, Flue, and Pan

Corrugaphones (whirly tubes)

3D Wavefields

The Theory and Prototyping Curriculum is a constellation of weekend workshops on theoretical concepts and practical skills.

These workshops teach designers, architects, artists, and coders powerful ways of thinking that are usually taught only in science and engineering curricula.

Perceive More. Understand More. Imagine More. Create More.

Learn the bedrock knowledge and competencies the boot camps and creative tech programs gloss over.

You can explore all of the topics in the mandala below.

At The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, all students must take one semester of Engineering Design and Problem Solving. Every professor teaching this course is selected for their real-world domain experience. And each professor creates their own curriculum.

I created and taught two different curricula for Engineering Design and Problem Solving in 2015 and 2019. My mission was to teach students new to research and development the value of prolific prototyping.