Machine Prints 3D Copies Of Itself 341
TaeKwonDood writes "Automated machines have been around for decades. They have basically been dumb devices that do simple assembly tasks. But RepRap takes that a step further because, instead of assembling pre-fabricated parts, it creates 3-D objects by printing them — squirting molten plastic in layers — and then building them up as the plastic solidifies. It works on coat hooks, door handles and now it can even make working copies ... of itself. The miracle of additive fabrication, coming soon to a robotic overlord near you."
Dupe! (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Dupe! (Score:5, Informative)
Close but... (Score:5, Informative)
FTA (emphasis mine):
=Smidge=
Re:Dupe! (Score:4, Informative)
God I want one.. (Score:3, Informative)
If I still had my old Dell laptop I'd print the latch that broke off a few years ago.
This machine replicates itself ... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Close but... (Score:5, Informative)
Also it has a big bunch of wires coming out the back, which I bet are not replicated either... so someone was jumping the gun a bit while writing this article
Still... this is some seriously cool technology... if the resulting plastic parts are strong / durable enough it could certainly have a huge impact... essentially being able to download physical objects from the internet...
Re:Dupe! (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Bad business model (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Dupe! (Score:3, Informative)
a) perfect working copy
b) partial copy
don't get me wrong, it's an awesome device and hell who couldn't use a rapid prototyper at home? I know I could!
Re:Dupe! (Score:5, Informative)
The article gives little detail beside the price of the parts: how much time is necessary for the self-replication? what are the skills needed for the assembly?
Re:I... (Score:1, Informative)
Re:I... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:I... (Score:5, Informative)
It's a significant step - but the slashdot blurb wildly over-sells it.
Re:Sweet (Score:5, Informative)
In fact it can't print any structures that won't retain their shapes when melted to, say 5 degrees below their melting point.
The safe class of objects that it can print are those that are basically straight-up walls upon a flat base. The most complex stuff it would be able to print is a gothic castle (the ones with tiny windows), and you'd have to put the roofs on top of them afterwards.
The "full" class of objects it can print are those where a finite element stress analysis (*with* gravity active obviously) doesn't have any red spots.
(and now translation from technobabble to bad news
It can't print Gundam models. At least not directly. For a less limited class of objects you could make 2 half-negatives, allowing you to mass-produce them. You'd have to paint them afterwards.
Video of RepRap (Score:2, Informative)
Comment removed (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Sweet (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Toxic? (Score:4, Informative)
There are plenty of molten plastics that don't degas much, and there are some that are incredibly toxic. I haven't found anything about PLA yet, but I know a bit about lactic acid and it shouldn't be the health risk that, say, the stuff coming off melted polyvinyl chloride would be, or any nitrile-containing polymers. Molten nylon's not too bad, though.
Re:Dupe! (Score:2, Informative)
Re:I... (Score:2, Informative)
http://dev.www.reprap.org/bin/view/Main/RepRapGPLLicence [reprap.org]
Re:I... (Score:3, Informative)
Yes, they do. They're using a modified version of the open-source Art of Illusion 3D modelling software for this.
Re:I... (Score:3, Informative)