Things, tags, topics: Thingiverse's object-centred network

Abstract

This article details findings from a multidisciplinary research team’s inquiry into the social uses of 3D printing. It applies digital research methods to 3D printing communities and their digitally shared objects. Thingiverse is one of the most well-known file repositories available for the semi-public distribution of files for use in 3D printers. The site allows for several different means of metadata classification of these files. Previous research on the site focused on the legal concerns related to the different types of intellectual property license ‘metadata’ attached to objects. Beyond these data points are numerous additional types of elected and automated connections between both u..