# An Interview With Nadya Peek - Gallant Gcode Gerontology

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2014-07-23
- Length: 1h 31m
- Episode: 208
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-23-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/208-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology/

## Summary

Nadya Peek, a PhD student at MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms, discusses her research on modular, reconfigurable machine tools and the 'virtual machine' control system that replaces G-code. She explains how her team at the Fab Lab network builds machines like the PopFab and reconfigurable stages to lower the barrier to entry for automation and personal fabrication. The conversation covers the challenges of open-source hardware sourcing, the limitations of G-code, and the convergence of robotics and CNC technology, while also touching on the startup struggles of Formlabs and MakerBot.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-23-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology#t=0) Introduction and Research Context
- [4:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-23-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology#t=293) The Fab Lab Network and Digital Fabrication
- [14:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-23-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology#t=858) Virtual Machine Control vs. G-Code
- [33:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-23-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology#t=2034) Modular Machine Design and the PopFab
- [52:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-23-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology#t=3145) Open Source Hardware and Sourcing Challenges
- [58:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-23-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology#t=3532) 3D Printing Industry and Startups
- [1:12:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-23-an-interview-with-nadya-peek-gallant-gcode-gerontology#t=4353) Future of Manufacturing and Personal Fabrication

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Center for Bits and Atoms (company)
- Fab Lab (product)
- PopFab (product)
- Formlabs (company)
- MakerBot (company)
- 3D Systems (company)
- Stratasys (company)
- Allegro (chip)
- Arduino (product)
- G-code (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [163: Syringes That Give You Cake](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-08-03-163-syringes-that-give-you-cake) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode 156: C in Sea](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-02-16-episode-156-c-in-sea) (Making It)
- [237. Vibe Manufacturing: MIT’s AI Text-to-Manufacturing System](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-23-237-vibe-manufacturing-mits-ai-text-to-manufacturing-system) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Episode 072: Back FROM Maker Faire](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-05-27-episode-072-back-from-maker-faire) (Making It)
- [Ep. 4 - Launching the Longmill - ft. Chris from Sienci Labs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-09-14-ep-4-launching-the-longmill-ft-chris-from-sienci-labs) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)

## Citing this page

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