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Towards Self-Replicating Rapid Prototypers

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the tea-earl-grey-hot dept.

Neil Halelamien writes "Researchers at the University of Bath are developing a rapid prototyping machine capable of making copies of itself and other products, reminiscent of the Universal Constructor proposed by von Neumann. The so-called Replicating Rapid-Prototyper (or RepRap) would produce items from raw materials and small components like microchips. If successful, this could make rapid prototyping cheap enough for regular in-home usage, especially since the project's lead, Dr. Adrian Bowyer, will be releasing his project's designs under the GNU GPL. It's previously been proposed that a similar system would be useful for space exploration and industrialization."

10 of 285 comments (clear)

  1. Obvious by PolyDwarf · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I for one welcome our new rapidly replicating prototyping overlords.

    1. Re:Obvious by GeoGreg · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      In Soviet Russia, replicator prototypes YOU! (Sorry, shoot me now)

  2. infinite amo cheat by 4_Minor_Drawbacks · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    imagine if a newly duplicated item had some punch to it, and went really fast.

  3. Obligatory Comment by MontyCarlo · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I for one welcome our new self-replicating... Ah, screw it.

  4. Just gettin' it out of the way by noerobert · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I, for one, welcome our RepRap overlords.

  5. Ah ha! by soft_guy · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    1) Build a self replicating replication machine
    2) Turn it on
    3) Wait...
    4) Visit Soviet Russia to buy thier version of a replication machine
    5) Offer a service where you use the Russian replicating machine to get rid of the replication machines crowding the streets, offices, and homes of the world.
    6) Profit!

    --
    Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
  6. Just to get this out of the way (again). by noerobert · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I for one welcome our cliche producing overlords. sorry about the trip everyone.

  7. Re:*eep* by Akaihiryuu · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Hehe...so I guess I'm not the only one who thought "replicators" as soon as I read the article. I've actually pondered making a replicator um...replica out of an erector set or something. And I've pondered making a Goa'uld hand device replica (complete with LED's or something to make it glow), and a thing to Goa'uld-ify your voice. I don't know how I'd do the glowy eyes...but if I figure it out I know what I'm doing for the halloween contest at work this year. ;P

  8. ValueRep by Sammer105 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    All I can think of is the ValueRep from System Shock 2, *horrible screech* *happy female voice* Thank you for choosing VaueRep! Brr. Chills.

  9. You're damn lucky I'm in a good mood... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    You have no idea how close you were to getting modded down. I've got two mod points left and your post was so damn geeky it made me cringe. I was all set to smack you down as Offtopic but I finally found a bug today that's been dogging me for over a week. I'm in a good mood so you get to continue prattling on about your Stargate fantasy.