A University of Bath academic, who is overseeing a global effort to develop an open-source machine that prints three-dimensional objects, is celebrating after the prototype machine succeeded in making a set of its own printed parts.
The machine, named Reprap, was exhibited at the Cheltenham Science Festival (4-8 June 2008).
Reprap is short for replicating rapid-prototyper; it employs a technique called ‘additive fabrication’. The machine works rather like a printer, but, rather than applying ink to paper, it lays down thin layers of molten plastic that solidify. These layers are built up to make 3D objects.
Reprap has, so far, been capable of making everyday plastic goods such as door handles, sandals and coat hooks. Now the machine has also succeeded in copying all of its own 3D-printed parts. These were printed and assembled by Reprap team member, Vik Olliver, in Auckland, New Zealand, into a new Reprap machine that can replicate the same set of parts for yet another Reprap machine. While 3D printers have been available commercially for about 25 years, Reprap is claimed to be the first that can essentially print itself.
The Reprap research and development project was conceived and is directed by Dr Adrian Bowyer, a senior lecturer in engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Bath, UK.
Dr Bowyer says: “These days, most people in the developed world run a professional-quality print works, photographic lab and CD-pressing plant in their own house, all courtesy of their home PC. Why shouldn't they also run their own desktop factory capable of making many of the things they presently buy in shops, too?
“The possibilities are endless. Now, people can make exactly what they want. If the design of an existing object does not quite suit their needs, they can easily redesign it on their PC and print that out, instead of making do with a mass-produced second-best design from the shops. They can also print out extra Reprap printers to give to their friends. Then those friends can make what they want too.”
Recently Chris DiBona, Open Source Programs Manager at Google, encouraged people to "Think of Reprap as a China on your desktop."
Sir James Dyson, Chief Executive of the Dyson Group, comments: “Reprap is a different, revolutionary way of approaching invention. It could allow people to change the ergonomics of a design to their own specific needs.”
Dr Bowyer states: "Reprap is the most enjoyable research project I have ever run. Without the many talented and selfless volunteers the Reprap project has all round the world, it would have never succeeded so quickly."
Complete plans for the prototype Reprap 3D printer and detailed tutorials to aid motivated amateurs (and professionals) in assembling one are available, free-of-charge, at the Reprap website. The materials, plus the minority of parts that the machine cannot print, cost about EUR375 (£300). All those non-printed parts can be bought at hardware shops or from online stores.
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