January 6th, 2008
Open Source Cars and More
The Self Replicating Machine
RepRap (short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper) is a self-copying 3D machine. 3D machines use a process called fused deposition modeling (FDM) works by layering materials on top of one another to form a model originally design in software. Though it looks more like a TinkerToy than anything you’d ever use, the device can make plastic, ceramic or metal parts. How far it will get to manufacturing itself depends. The RepRap currently uses sensors, which today can’t be replicated easily, but the team is working on the problem and hope to have it solved in future releases.
David Greenfield is the principal in STAnalytics. a global technology-marketing consultancy where he advises enterprises on emerging technologies. See David Greenfield's full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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