Science
Related: About this forumCongratulations, it's a 3D printer...
Open Source project to create a 3D printer which can print copies of itself.
RepRap Project
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RepRap_Project
RepRap is humanity's first general-purpose self-replicating manufacturing machine.
RepRap takes the form of a free desktop 3D printer capable of printing plastic objects. Since many parts of RepRap are made from plastic and RepRap prints those parts, RepRap self-replicates by making a kit of itself - a kit that anyone can assemble given time and materials. It also means that - if you've got a RepRap - you can print lots of useful stuff, and you can print another RepRap for a friend...
http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://vimeo.com/5202148
FirstLight
(13,362 posts)FUCKING AMAZING!
I showed the beginning to my kids and they are blown away too...but seriously, it can replicate ITSELF?!! What happens when it becomes sentient? lol
Ptah
(33,034 posts)it trains us to assemble the pieces.
arendt
(5,078 posts)you have to buy the precision-machined metal rods, and the stepper motors.
But, the software is free; and there is some software that will make (or maybe only create manufacturing-ready computer files) the circuit boards to run it.
Its great tech; and its great power-to-the-people tech.
But it is not Colossus the Forbin project.
Don't worry.
Bosonic
(3,746 posts)which account for ~50% of the RepRap parts.
But it's an ongoing project; future versions will attempt to print circuitboards and metal parts.
The trickiest parts are obviously the actual electric/magnetic/electronic components themselves; and realistically they'll always have to be externally sourced for the near future.
littlemissmartypants
(22,739 posts)Thank you for sharing it. KICK.
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)The first Replicator!!!!!!