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Scientists Create World's First 3D-Printed 3D Printer

Posted by samzenpus on from the matryoshka-machines dept.

MikeChino writes "Researchers at Germany's Doppelbock University just opened the door to the future of rapid prototyping technology by developing the world's first 3D-printed 3D printer. Dubbed the Ecophage, the duplicitous device is capable of using readily available materials to create copies of itself – albeit at a slightly smaller scale. Best of all, it's outfitted with a built-in material re-processor that can convert virtually any carbon-based substance into filament for 3d-printing."

15 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. For Fuck's Sakes by sanman2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Can we just skip this April Fools shit from now on? It's just a fucking waste of time.

    No really, it's gotten really old, and there's no giggle value in it anymore. I'd just like to be able to tune in like every other day, and get my usual news. This Prank-Tee-Hee-Hee thing has totally jumped the shark, and nowadays it's just a nuisance.

    1. Re:For Fuck's Sakes by shaitand · · Score: 2

      You are forgetting the giggle value derived from watching you lose your cool.

    2. Re:For Fuck's Sakes by sribe · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Can we just skip this April Fools shit from now on? It's just a fucking waste of time.

      No really, it's gotten really old, and there's no giggle value in it anymore. I'd just like to be able to tune in like every other day, and get my usual news. This Prank-Tee-Hee-Hee thing has totally jumped the shark, and nowadays it's just a nuisance.

      Every fucking geek blogger is trying to be funny to day, and most of them are failing. When I want humor, I know how to go to www.theonion.com.

    3. Re:For Fuck's Sakes by Barefoot+Monkey · · Score: 2

      The Onion needs to find and publish on the 1st of April a notable and mildly implausible story which is completely true but all the other news sources are waiting for the 2nd to report (for obvious reasons). That would be one of the best April Fools pranks.

  2. Re:And then it printed a very strange message by neminem · · Score: 2

    Funny, I was thinking it would have printed, "yo dawg, I heard you like 3d printing, so I 3d printed you a 3d printer so you can 3d print while you 3d print."

  3. I liked this story better before... by CptNerd · · Score: 2

    I liked this story before, when it was called "Autofac" by Philip K. Dick.

    --
    By the taping of my glasses, something geeky this way passes
  4. ROT13 = Total Suckitude by bstarrfield · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Hello, I'll blow good karma

    This ROT13 crap does nothing worthwhile. It's not funny, it's not clever, God, it's not even interesting. Yes, it will go away tomorrow, but the bloody editors should just drop it. Damn it, off to Reddit.

    --
    /* Dang, I can't type that well. */
    1. Re:ROT13 = Total Suckitude by agm · · Score: 2

      They should at least take into account the local time of the reader. April 1st was yesterday.

  5. Rot proofing sentances by WaffleMonster · · Score: 2

    Is it possible to create a coherent sentance which rot13's into a different equally coherent sentance?

    I tried and failed miserably...

    She try or envy tang abba one reef rat
    Fur gel be rail gnat noon bar errs eng

    1. Re:Rot proofing sentances by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 2

      Is it possible to create a coherent sentance which rot13's into a different equally coherent sentance?

      Only if you speak Welsh. (Or so I heard.)

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    2. Re:Rot proofing sentances by khallow · · Score: 2

      Protip: it helps more if you can't.

    3. Re:Rot proofing sentances by swilde23 · · Score: 2

      She nag nowhere!

      i.e. Fur ant abjurer

      I hate fur and abjurers

      --
      There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that understand this sig, and those that beat up people who do.
  6. Rep Rap by SaXisT4LiF · · Score: 4, Informative

    I get that this is April Fools joke, but it might be worthwhile to mention that there is a real project aimed at accomplishing this goal: RepRap.

    --
    Fight or flight its all the same
    Live to die another day
    --Ryan
  7. not first, not funny by stenvar · · Score: 2

    3D printing of 3D printers (i.e. self-replicating printers) is the goal of a number of projects, including the Reprap project. Most of the structural parts are printable. People are working on open source printable electronics. Chips and actuators can't be easily printed yet.

  8. Powerless by Ken_g6 · · Score: 2

    Even if a 3D printer were "outfitted with a built-in material re-processor that can convert virtually any carbon-based substance into filament for 3d-printing", it would need a power source too. I recall once seeing a plan for an automated wheeled vehicle that would collect and burn plants for fuel. (I searched but can't find the original source.) But it would have to roam far and wide to get enough to make a copy of itself.

    --
    (T>t && O(n)--) == sqrt(666)