A Universal Replicator? RepRap
A universal replicator, as in Star Trek would be brilliant though totally disruptive of manufacturing economy. However the RepRap project is currently about as far from a universal replicator as an abacus is to a computer. It's an interesting notion : RepRap is a machine that should be able to replicate itself or anything else. Just add the raw materials, bit of power and hey presto two RepRaps.
More specifically, it should be able to make a copy of something that is defined in computer readable instructions. The part circled in the picture is the first ever part that RepRap manufactured and was created in September 2006. It's a part of RepRap (in plastic). RepRap is currently limited to plastic and electronics/electrics so it can incorporate some circuitry and motors. Remember the furniture that was designed using motion capture sensors and a 3d printer. It's that 3d printer technology being used here that can build something solid, layer by layer.
The idea is that by evolutionary methods, future RepRaps will become increasingly more powerful and able to build more things until…
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Posted: November 26th, 2010 under default.
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