3 ms·

It is already happened I believe. http://reprap.org/ http://reprap.org/

crwalker 9y ago
I've never understood reprap's cult-like fascination with self-reproducing 3D printers. This is such an absurdly impossible goal that it's more of a category error than a current technological limitation: 3D printers are not organisms with ancestors, they are manufacturing tools. The things that CNC mills, injection molds, and 3D printers are made of are very different than the things they make.
- Frenchgeek 9y ago
  Well, aiming for the possible isn't as much fun as the impossible. Also the results are less interesting, usually...
lostapathy 9y ago
Not in the sense that parent post is alluding too. reprap printers use "vitamins" - the electronics, motors, hardware - in addition to the printed parts. Being able to print a motor would remove the need to buy motors.
- phkahler 9y ago
  >> Being able to print a motor would remove the need to buy motors. Not every part needs to be "printed". Motor laminations can be CNC cut or laser cut from sheet stock. Then you stack them, bolt them together and add windings. For PM machines you slide some magnets into slots on the rotor. Done. This is fairly easy for hobbyists to do given a good design.
  - jononor 9y ago
    To build a 3d-printer you don't need to print a single part. But the goal of the Reprap project is to explore and develop maximally self-replicating machines. Some of the results are useful, some maybe not so much. The idea can be applied outside 3d-printers as well. Here is a CNC machine you can CNC (including motion/drivetrain) https://github.com/fellesverkstedet/fabricatable-machines/blob/master/README.md#hank---medium-format-cnc-mill https://github.com/fellesverkstedet/fabricatable-machines/bl... One of my personal interests is in making it possible to replicate an full makerspace/fablab by visiting an existing one. Bootstrap one or two digital fabrication machine by borrowing access, then build everything else with those in your own lab. This benefits from high degree of self- or co-replicability.

I've never understood reprap's cult-like fascination with self-reproducing 3D printers. This is such an absurdly impossible goal that it's more of a category error than a current technological limitation: 3D printers are not organisms with ancestors, they are manufacturing tools. The things that CNC mills, injection molds, and 3D printers are made of are very different than the things they make.

Frenchgeek 9y ago
Well, aiming for the possible isn't as much fun as the impossible. Also the results are less interesting, usually...

lostapathy 9y ago

Not in the sense that parent post is alluding too. reprap printers use "vitamins" - the electronics, motors, hardware - in addition to the printed parts. Being able to print a motor would remove the need to buy motors.

phkahler 9y ago
>> Being able to print a motor would remove the need to buy motors. Not every part needs to be "printed". Motor laminations can be CNC cut or laser cut from sheet stock. Then you stack them, bolt them together and add windings. For PM machines you slide some magnets into slots on the rotor. Done. This is fairly easy for hobbyists to do given a good design.
- jononor 9y ago
  To build a 3d-printer you don't need to print a single part. But the goal of the Reprap project is to explore and develop maximally self-replicating machines. Some of the results are useful, some maybe not so much. The idea can be applied outside 3d-printers as well. Here is a CNC machine you can CNC (including motion/drivetrain) https://github.com/fellesverkstedet/fabricatable-machines/blob/master/README.md#hank---medium-format-cnc-mill https://github.com/fellesverkstedet/fabricatable-machines/bl... One of my personal interests is in making it possible to replicate an full makerspace/fablab by visiting an existing one. Bootstrap one or two digital fabrication machine by borrowing access, then build everything else with those in your own lab. This benefits from high degree of self- or co-replicability.