Self-replication and Manufacturing

Adrian Bowyer

reprap.org

Exeter University

13 July 2012

What is RepRap?

RepRap is a self-replicating 3D printer

RepRap Facts● RepRap can copy about half its own parts.● The other half: hardware shops and on-line.● Cost of all the materials £300.● Working volume: 140 x 140 x 100 mm3.● Material: most plastics.● Print rate: 19 ml/hour (one day to replicate).● Licence: GPL.

RepRap Makes

http://thingiverse.com

RepRap Makes

http://thingiverse.com

4

It's like MP3 music sharing, but for real solid stuff...

...ultimately any stuff

First replication

29 May 2008

Biology – mutualist symbiosis

RepRap = flowersPeople = insectsGoods = nectar

RepRap: destroyer of industry

Detroit, USA, 2010

Destroying Things

Swindon, UK, 2012

Moved, notDestroyed

That waynever works

The Arrow of Time

Alwaysworks

The Arrow of Time

The Arrow of Time

The FutureEveryone in the developed world runs their own

CD pressing plant

The FutureEveryone in the developed world runs their own

CD pressing plant

Photographic Lab

The FutureEveryone in the developed world runs their own

CD pressing plant

Photographic Lab

And printing press

The Future

Why not their own factory...

The Future

...that makes more factories?

Much less need for...

Much less need for...

Much less need for...

http://reprap.org