Rapid Prototyping.... on the cheap.
Discussion
Posting this here as, well... it's as geeky as hell 
Looks like Bath university have cracked the rapid prototyping nut, their dinky machine costs $400 to build and once assembled can replicate all the parts needed to build another one. Reading up in a magazine it looks like they're working on replacing some of the chemicals required with potato starch derived polymers. The highly geeky thing is they're using Open Source software throughout the project. So not only will you be able to download the plans to build one, but all the controlling software as well.
For those wondering WTF a rapid prototyper is think "3D printer".
http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/WebHo
Looks like Bath university have cracked the rapid prototyping nut, their dinky machine costs $400 to build and once assembled can replicate all the parts needed to build another one. Reading up in a magazine it looks like they're working on replacing some of the chemicals required with potato starch derived polymers. The highly geeky thing is they're using Open Source software throughout the project. So not only will you be able to download the plans to build one, but all the controlling software as well.
For those wondering WTF a rapid prototyper is think "3D printer".
http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/WebHo
thebluemonkey said:
There's one major flaw in the whole concept, as each machine builds another and another and another . . . they become less and less accurate.
True, but it depends what components it makes and which ones are best brought. Having said that, some of the demonstration peices they've done seem quite fine in detail so a clone shouldn't be 'that' far different from it's original.
Bodo said:
What's missing now to close the development chain with OS/S technology is a proper enterprise grade CAD software with OS-3D-kernel, parametric modeling and Class A-surfacing.
Indeed, the Java app looks a little primitive but I suspect someone will appear and write something nicer to control it.
cptsideways said:
Oooh fantastic stuff, I've been involved in some RP work in the past, bloody expensive it was. Having one of these on your desk opens all sorts of ideas up!!
Yeah, I'm sat here going 'well... I've spent XXXX on plastic crap over the years... I could build one of these and just make my own.
thebluemonkey said:
There's one major flaw in the whole concept, as each machine builds another and another and another . . . they become less and less accurate.
Either a flaw or a fantastic excuse to get funding for a study of evolution at work...
Edited by pdV6 on Thursday 17th May 15:05
Much as this device is interesting, I think there is more talk than capability with that particular device. I'm sure it's great for prototyping in plastic, but I wonder about it's capability with metal.
I've seen a machine in action that does exactly this, but with steel. The big problem with this sort of process, is that the filler material always has an extreme thermal gradient during manufacture, and the results are often very brittle, in all but the softest of base materials.
For many applications casting, sintering and forging really do take a lot of beating, and as yet they are not generally computer aided. That is not to say that they could not be.
I've seen a machine in action that does exactly this, but with steel. The big problem with this sort of process, is that the filler material always has an extreme thermal gradient during manufacture, and the results are often very brittle, in all but the softest of base materials.
For many applications casting, sintering and forging really do take a lot of beating, and as yet they are not generally computer aided. That is not to say that they could not be.
Edited by dilbert on Thursday 17th May 19:13
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