RepRap

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Revision as of 11:26, 27 October 2008 by Turkshead (talk | contribs) (→‎Plan)
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From reprap.org:

Reprap image from reprap.org
RepRap is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper. It is the practical self-copying 3D printer shown on the right - a self-replicating machine. This 3D printer builds the parts up in layers of plastic. This technology already exists, but the cheapest commercial machine would cost you about €30,000. And it isn't even designed so that it can make itself. So what the RepRap team are doing is to develop and to give away the designs for a much cheaper machine with the novel capability of being able to self-copy (material costs are about €500).

The RepRap project is a bit optimistic in their description -- their "self-replicating" machine is capable of printing all of the non-commodity parts of their machine, but still needs stepper motors, steel rods, screws, nuts, control circuitry, and of course a human to assemble the pieces.

Links

Participants

Plan

Some parts of RepRap can be developed independently. In particular, the Extruder "print head" is pretty much independent of the chassis mechanism, and looks like a fun project. Might want to consider other print mechanisms too; this one may be specific to a few of the thermoplastics.

Status

  • TurksHead has started building a McWire chassis. (10/22)
  • adi is researching print materials and print heads. (10/23)