Think About your PC setup. Imagine that you could hook up a 3D printer to it. Instead of just printing out bits

of paper

You can have all of this for about $40,000.00

Or you can build one for about $500.00

Then make a few for your friends.

RepRapReplicating Rapid-prototyper

is an open source 3d printer projectThat was thought up by Dr. Adrian Bower

Of the University of Bath in England

He came up with the idea of a self replicating machine.

The problem he saw was that he could only sell

one

So it became open source hardware

With the goal of making a 3d printer that can replicate its self

Like open source software we have been through different designs

• v1.0: Darwin Where we are at now • 3D cartesian robot made from RP parts and steel rods. • CAPA / HDPE / ABS print head capable of .5mm extrusion • Electronics and software to control above systems. • Offer parts kits and boards to help people get involved more easily. • Create a thriving online community around the machine, its software, and objects to create. • v1.1 • Support material extrusion head to allow printing of parts with overhangs > 45deg. • v2.0: Mendel • Again, a Cartesian robot from RP parts. • Print head capable of printing conductive material to create embedded circuits • Possibly a turntable to do circular prints more easily. • Expand the online community with a custom website of objects to build. • Expand parts kits to encompass the whole project from top to bottom. • Reduce number of external parts needed. • Internationalize the software and localize into at least one non-English language. • v3.0 and Beyond • Expand to a wide variety of materials: ceramics, wax, metals, etc. • Keep improving the technology. • Reduce number of external parts needed.

Time line for RepRap

How it all works • First you take an .STL

file • And you load it into the

RepRap host software which is programmed in java so it will work on multi platforms.

• Then the software sends the commands to the RepRap electronics which in turns controls the extruder and x y and z axis stepper motors.

How to build your own

• Follow the RepRap wiki site at www.reprap.org• Install the host software onto a windows XP MAC or

Linux machine.• Buy parts depending on how much you want to make

by hand.• Assemble the electronics and test them • Build the Cartesian robot• Print 3 sets of parts 1 for a spare set and the other 2

to give away.

Follow the RepRap wiki site at www.reprap.org

Install the host software onto a Windows XP, MAC, or Linux machine.

Buy parts depending on how much you want to make by hand.

• You can buy parts from the RepRap research foundation www.rrrf.org a non profit organization created by Zach Smith for RepRap he sells the circuit boards, kits for the electronics and needed supplies located in New York city

• And Or from Bits from Bytes Ian Adkins makes and sells resin casted parts to make a RepRap Darwin robot also selling the electronics located in England.

• Or from other suppliers listed on the RepRap Web site.

Assemble the electronics and test them

• There are 2 different sets of electronics supported the circuit boards for both are available from the RepRap Research Foundation.

The original PIC micro based electronics

The Arduino Based electronicsor

Require Programmer extra cost of about $100.00Use serial communicationsTested and running

Newer not adopted as much yet.Uses USB to communicate and does not require a separate programmerIs the future going forwardRuns smother

Both are supported and will be in the

future and both work on every

machine

How the electronics communicate PIC Based electronics

Adruino based electronics

Now for the Robot We hit the chicken and the egg problem and that we did not have and

chickens to lay any eggs so you have some options

Wait and have somebody make you a set of parts

Order a set of cast parts from Bits From Bytes

Build a McWire bot named seedling

make the parts from wood or convert a CNC mill they have all been done and there a people who can support you!

There is also free .dxf files so you can laser cut in plywood on your own or with ponoko

Now you print partsMost of us have started with a cup so you can toast with your favorite beverage the creation of a machine that

will take over the world

Some links and keep watch soon Vic Oliver will be finishing his machine successfully replicating

a printer

• www.reprap.org• www.rrrf.org• www.bitsfrombytes.com• www.fab@home.org a second open source 3d

printer.