Difference between revisions of "RepRap"
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| − | [[Image: | + | <noinclude>{{backto|Rapid prototyping machines}}</noinclude> |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Reprap.jpg|thumb|250px|RepRap version 1.0 'Darwin']] |
| + | [[Image:RepRap 'Mendel'.jpg|thumb|250px|RepRap version 2.0 'Mendel'<br>[http://vimeo.com/6865848 Video introduction to 'Mendel']]] | ||
| + | [[Image:Repstrap.jpg|thumb|250px|Parts printed from a RepRap]] | ||
| + | |||
RepRap is rather special rapid prototyping machine. The name is short for self-'''rep'''licating '''rap'''id prototyper and the project was started at the University of Bath by Dr. Adrian Bowyer, a Senior Lecturer in mechanical engineering. | RepRap is rather special rapid prototyping machine. The name is short for self-'''rep'''licating '''rap'''id prototyper and the project was started at the University of Bath by Dr. Adrian Bowyer, a Senior Lecturer in mechanical engineering. | ||
The idea is to create a rapid prototyping machine that, as well as being able to construct useful three dimensional objects to order, is also able to create most of the parts necessary to build another rapid prototyping machine. So for a very low cost, someone with a RepRap should be able to clone a new machine to give to someone else. | The idea is to create a rapid prototyping machine that, as well as being able to construct useful three dimensional objects to order, is also able to create most of the parts necessary to build another rapid prototyping machine. So for a very low cost, someone with a RepRap should be able to clone a new machine to give to someone else. | ||
| − | It uses the | + | It uses the {{wp|Fused_deposition_modeling|Fused Deposition Modelling}} (FDM) system of additive construction where a thermoplastic material is extruded very thinly from a computer controlled nozzle to slowly build up a three dimensional shape layer by layer. |
| − | However there are various of its own component parts that it cannot currently reproduce such as the stepper motor, microcontroller, extrusion nozzle and lubricant. However over time as the design evolves and becomes more | + | However there are various of its own component parts that it cannot currently reproduce such as the stepper motor, microcontroller, extrusion nozzle and lubricant. However over time as the design evolves and becomes more sophisticated it is envisioned that there will be fewer and fewer parts that cannot be made by the machine itself. |
===Materials=== | ===Materials=== | ||
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# A thermoplastic - generally used to create structure of the object being made. | # A thermoplastic - generally used to create structure of the object being made. | ||
| − | # | + | # {{wp|Wood%27s_metal|Wood's}} or {{wp|Field%27s_metal|Field's metal}} which are low melting point metal alloys used to create electrical circuits within three dimensions in the artefact being built |
| − | # Ceramic slurry for hard and strong cement-like | + | # Ceramic slurry for hard and strong cement-like structures |
# Silicone polymer used for gaskets, seals and flexible parts | # Silicone polymer used for gaskets, seals and flexible parts | ||
| − | # Plaster/cellulose mixes or icing sugar for temporary | + | # Plaster/cellulose mixes, PVA or icing sugar for temporary support material to allow overhangs to exist as the object is being built up. After the object is created these supports can be dissolved away using warm water |
===Open design=== | ===Open design=== | ||
| − | This is an [[ | + | This is an [[open collaborative design]] project in that everything relating to it {{en}} the schematics, 3D CAD models of the components and the software to run it {{en}} are being released under the {{wp|GNU_General_Public_License|GPL license}} which enables anyone to use, customize and evolve it. The terms of the GPL also mean that any improvements will likewise be available under the same license for others to benefit from. |
===External links=== | ===External links=== | ||
| − | *[http://www.reprap.org RepRap project website] | + | |
| − | *[http:// | + | * [http://vimeo.com/6865848 Video introduction to RepRap v.2 ('Mendel')] |
| − | *[http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/articles/8217/Revolutionary.pdf 'Replication revolutionary'], article from ''New Electronics'', 29 December 2006 (pdf) | + | * [http://www.reprap.org RepRap project website] |
| + | * {{wp|RepRap_Project|RepRap article on Wikipedia}} | ||
| + | * [http://www.rrrf.org RepRep Research Foundation] | ||
| + | * [http://www.poptech.com/popcasts/adrian_bowyer__poptech_2007 Dr. Adrian Bowyer explaining the concept of RepRap] (PopTech video) | ||
| + | * [http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/articles/8217/Revolutionary.pdf 'Replication revolutionary'], article from ''New Electronics'', 29 December 2006 (pdf) | ||
| + | |||
| + | <noinclude>===See also=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [http://www.makerbot.com/ MakerBot Thing-o-matic] - includes rolling build area that can eject built object and automatically start work on the next one with no intervention. (RepRap derivative) | ||
| + | * [[Fab@Home]] - another open-source rapid-prototyping machine | ||
| + | </noinclude> | ||
Latest revision as of 02:17, 4 September 2011
RepRap is rather special rapid prototyping machine. The name is short for self-replicating rapid prototyper and the project was started at the University of Bath by Dr. Adrian Bowyer, a Senior Lecturer in mechanical engineering.
The idea is to create a rapid prototyping machine that, as well as being able to construct useful three dimensional objects to order, is also able to create most of the parts necessary to build another rapid prototyping machine. So for a very low cost, someone with a RepRap should be able to clone a new machine to give to someone else.
It uses the Fused Deposition Modelling 
(FDM) system of additive construction where a thermoplastic material is extruded very thinly from a computer controlled nozzle to slowly build up a three dimensional shape layer by layer.
However there are various of its own component parts that it cannot currently reproduce such as the stepper motor, microcontroller, extrusion nozzle and lubricant. However over time as the design evolves and becomes more sophisticated it is envisioned that there will be fewer and fewer parts that cannot be made by the machine itself.
Materials
The RepRap team intend to include nozzles for applying different materials during the build process:
- A thermoplastic - generally used to create structure of the object being made.
- Wood's or Field's metal which are low melting point metal alloys used to create electrical circuits within three dimensions in the artefact being built
- Ceramic slurry for hard and strong cement-like structures
- Silicone polymer used for gaskets, seals and flexible parts
- Plaster/cellulose mixes, PVA or icing sugar for temporary support material to allow overhangs to exist as the object is being built up. After the object is created these supports can be dissolved away using warm water
Open design
This is an open collaborative design project in that everything relating to it – the schematics, 3D CAD models of the components and the software to run it – are being released under the GPL license which enables anyone to use, customize and evolve it. The terms of the GPL also mean that any improvements will likewise be available under the same license for others to benefit from.
External links
- Video introduction to RepRap v.2 ('Mendel')
- RepRap project website
- RepRap article on Wikipedia
- RepRep Research Foundation
- Dr. Adrian Bowyer explaining the concept of RepRap (PopTech video)
- 'Replication revolutionary', article from New Electronics, 29 December 2006 (pdf)
See also
- MakerBot Thing-o-matic - includes rolling build area that can eject built object and automatically start work on the next one with no intervention. (RepRap derivative)
- Fab@Home - another open-source rapid-prototyping machine
