Congratulations, it's a 3D printer...

[Bosonic]

Open Source project to create a 3D printer which can print copies of itself.

RepRap Project

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RepRap_Project

RepRap is humanity's first general-purpose self-replicating manufacturing machine.

RepRap takes the form of a free desktop 3D printer capable of printing plastic objects. Since many parts of RepRap are made from plastic and RepRap prints those parts, RepRap self-replicates by making a kit of itself - a kit that anyone can assemble given time and materials. It also means that - if you've got a RepRap - you can print lots of useful stuff, and you can print another RepRap for a friend...

http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page


http://vimeo.com/5202148

[FirstLight]

1. that is

FUCKING AMAZING!

I showed the beginning to my kids and they are blown away too...but seriously, it can replicate ITSELF?!! What happens when it becomes sentient? lol

[Ptah]

2. it becomes sentient when

it trains us to assemble the pieces.

[arendt]

3. It can only replicate the PLASTIC parts...

you have to buy the precision-machined metal rods, and the stepper motors.

But, the software is free; and there is some software that will make (or maybe only create manufacturing-ready computer files) the circuit boards to run it.

Its great tech; and its great power-to-the-people tech.

But it is not Colossus the Forbin project.

Don't worry.

[Bosonic]

4. The current versions can only replicate the plastic parts

which account for ~50% of the RepRap parts.

But it's an ongoing project; future versions will attempt to print circuitboards and metal parts.

The trickiest parts are obviously the actual electric/magnetic/electronic components themselves; and realistically they'll always have to be externally sourced for the near future.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. This is fantastic.

Thank you for sharing it. KICK.

[Marrah_G]

6. ZOMG

The first Replicator!!!!!!