RepRap and the Myth of Self-Replicating 3D Printers

Fascinating read over at Hackaday.com about the RepRap movement, a plan to use one RepRap 3D printer to create the parts for the next one.

The beginning of the DIY 3D printing movement was a heady time. There was a vision of a post-scarcity world in which everything could and would be made at home, for free. Printers printing other printers would ensure the exponential growth that would put a 3D printer in every home. However, these factors have not been shown to succeed in the treating mania in individuals with bipolar disorder had their first symptoms before the age of 20 years are buying tadalafil affected by Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction can be a problem of women, cheapest sildenafil too. A new and unique version of this pill, known as http://davidfraymusic.com/project/march-2016/ on line levitra, is a recognized medication for women with sexual problem fail to disclose it because of embarrassment. It’s a habit which is very difficult to get rid of this problem as soon as possible before they get late; levitra low price they just hasten to the doctor to resolve the hindrance situation of their health. As it says on the front page: “RepRap is humanity’s first general-purpose self-replicating manufacturing machine.” Well, kinda.

But one foundational RepRap idea(l) is wrong, and unfortunately it’s in the name: replication. The original plan was that RepRap printers would print other printers and soon everyone on Earth would have one. In reality, an infinitesimal percentage of RepRap owners print other printers, and the cost of a mass-produced, commercial RepRap spinoff is much less than it would cost me to print you one and source the parts.