Comments on: Self-reproducing 3D printer for $500 http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 07:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: koolatron http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136129 koolatron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136129 I just ordered mine. Having done the research on this project months past, $500 is an outrageous price to have one of these things in your home -- even if you do have to assemble it yourself. The way I see it, the future's here and if nobody's going to hand me a jetpack or skycar, I'd best get set about printing them myself. I just ordered mine.

Having done the research on this project months past, $500 is an outrageous price to have one of these things in your home — even if you do have to assemble it yourself.

The way I see it, the future’s here and if nobody’s going to hand me a jetpack or skycar, I’d best get set about printing them myself.

]]> By: Nicky G http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1139468 Nicky G Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139468 They opened it back up folks, so if you missed the first round, for $550 you can get on the list! They opened it back up folks, so if you missed the first round, for $550 you can get on the list!

]]> By: endymion http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136141 endymion Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136141 I agree with kmoser above. 3D printing is cool, but "self-reproducing" should be removed from the title of this post. I agree with kmoser above. 3D printing is cool, but “self-reproducing” should be removed from the title of this post.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136148 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136148 It's hard to get a sense of scale from the photo. From the photo here, the printer isn't much larger than an office telephone: http://reprap.org/wiki/Huxley It’s hard to get a sense of scale from the photo. From the photo here, the printer isn’t much larger than an office telephone:

http://reprap.org/wiki/Huxley

]]> By: icepick method http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1137183 icepick method Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1137183 I was very excited by this stuff a couple years ago when it first started showing up in the press. But once i realized how far it still had to come I decided to look into desktop cnc milling. The only real difference is milling is a subtractive process instead of additive. The resolution on a mill is measured in ten thousandths and can make things in many more materials than a 3D printer kit. Though you still can't get into desktop cnc milling for less than $2500 really. still cheaper than a commercial grade 3D printer. Best send off your ideas to shapeways. I was very excited by this stuff a couple years ago when it first started showing up in the press. But once i realized how far it still had to come I decided to look into desktop cnc milling. The only real difference is milling is a subtractive process instead of additive. The resolution on a mill is measured in ten thousandths and can make things in many more materials than a 3D printer kit. Though you still can’t get into desktop cnc milling for less than $2500 really. still cheaper than a commercial grade 3D printer. Best send off your ideas to shapeways.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136160 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136160 The fun I would have if I wasn't so broke!!! Making useful little things to ridiculous little "works of art"... so want LOL The fun I would have if I wasn’t so broke!!! Making useful little things to ridiculous little “works of art”… so want LOL

]]> By: semiotix http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136417 semiotix Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136417 <blockquote>If I had the money I would order 1.</blockquote> It's self-reproducing. If you had the money, you would order ∞.

If I had the money I would order 1.

It’s self-reproducing. If you had the money, you would order ∞.

]]> By: quickbrownfox http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136940 quickbrownfox Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136940 Just get yourself a laser cutter and some type-high blocks of wood. Just get yourself a laser cutter and some type-high blocks of wood.

]]> By: Jim http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136174 Jim Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136174 As someone who owns a 3d printer, let me give you a heads up. They do and can work but getting them together and tweaking them to print well is a long and frustrating process. The one in the photo looks like it would be very frustrating to tweak. If you think 3d printers are what you want to learn get one. If you think you just want to print stuff out, hold off. We are not there yet! As someone who owns a 3d printer, let me give you a heads up. They do and can work but getting them together and tweaking them to print well is a long and frustrating process. The one in the photo looks like it would be very frustrating to tweak.
If you think 3d printers are what you want to learn get one. If you think you just want to print stuff out, hold off. We are not there yet!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136690 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136690 its cool but make sure you realize how small a build bed you're getting, compared to the makerbot build bed this is smaller and the Makerbot one is already tiny. its cool but make sure you realize how small a build bed you’re getting, compared to the makerbot build bed this is smaller and the Makerbot one is already tiny.

]]> By: jphilby http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136183 jphilby Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136183 Call me when it can "self-reproduce" power supplies and circuit boards. Otherwise: there isn't enough plastic shit in the world? Call me when it can “self-reproduce” power supplies and circuit boards. Otherwise: there isn’t enough plastic shit in the world?

]]> By: Gulliver http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136464 Gulliver Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136464 It's like Satan's own erector set. Sweet! I wonder if it can take over the world before Google Will Eat Itself. It’s like Satan’s own erector set.

Sweet!

I wonder if it can take over the world before Google Will Eat Itself.

]]> By: NeilFraser http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136214 NeilFraser Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136214 They can already reproduce circuit boards (not the components though): http://blog.reprap.org/2009/04/first-reprapped-circuit.html They can already reproduce circuit boards (not the components though):
http://blog.reprap.org/2009/04/first-reprapped-circuit.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1137505 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1137505 It already exists! http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ga/WF06b/18972-18972-3328061-4154659-4154659-4154512-4154665.html It already exists!

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ga/WF06b/18972-18972-3328061-4154659-4154659-4154512-4154665.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136999 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136999 Who the hell would want this in their home? Doesn't everyone know the hazards of messing with heated and melting plastics? Ugh, I'd only want it in a well ventilated work space since I prefer my reproduction untainted and my nervous system functioning normally, I for one have had plenty of formaldehyde exposure then the benzene rings and oh my, DMSO, methylating agents, intercalating agents.... Who the hell would want this in their home? Doesn’t everyone know the hazards of messing with heated and melting plastics? Ugh, I’d only want it in a well ventilated work space since I prefer my reproduction untainted and my nervous system functioning normally, I for one have had plenty of formaldehyde exposure then the benzene rings and oh my, DMSO, methylating agents, intercalating agents….

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1135987 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1135987 damn this is getting into the seductive zone! help me resist the temptation by telling us how much that large coil of "plastic wire" costs. (i'm guessing it's like 666 bitcoins) damn this is getting into the seductive zone! help me resist the temptation by telling us how much that large coil of “plastic wire” costs. (i’m guessing it’s like 666 bitcoins)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136248 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136248 Does it also print the $500 needed to produce a new one? Does it also print the $500 needed to produce a new one?

]]> By: VJ http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1135995 VJ Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1135995 If I had the money I would order 1. If I had the money I would order 1.

]]> By: HDN http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136507 HDN Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136507 I'm in. Unemployed in Vegas, I need a project. I’m in. Unemployed in Vegas, I need a project.

]]> By: phead http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136509 phead Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136509 The big players must be sniffing around this market by now, I wonder how long it will be until the HP Thing-Maker(TM) appears? The big players must be sniffing around this market by now, I wonder how long it will be until the HP Thing-Maker(TM) appears?

]]> By: emmdeeaych http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136009 emmdeeaych Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136009 Are we at the point yet where I can get excited about realistically printing my own letterpress plates? That's what I am waiting on. Are we at the point yet where I can get excited about realistically printing my own letterpress plates? That’s what I am waiting on.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136271 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136271 Only a matter of time before the coppers come through the door with truncheons swinging, one of them reciting the terms of the warrant through a bullhorn. I hope fully self-replicating printers come down in price and go up in usability before they're eventually made illegal. More information can be found at http://craphound.com/?p=573 Only a matter of time before the coppers come through the door with truncheons swinging, one of them reciting the terms of the warrant through a bullhorn.

I hope fully self-replicating printers come down in price and go up in usability before they’re eventually made illegal.

More information can be found at http://craphound.com/?p=573

]]> By: Mitch_M http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136279 Mitch_M Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136279 The spool looks like a relatively un-jam-prone way of feeding the plastic. Now how about a machine to form your own plastic wire from your snipped up jugs, bottles, clamshell packages, and failed parts? The spool looks like a relatively un-jam-prone way of feeding the plastic. Now how about a machine to form your own plastic wire from your snipped up jugs, bottles, clamshell packages, and failed parts?

]]> By: kmoser http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136037 kmoser Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136037 How is this "self-reproducing?" It looks like it can't fabricate all its constituent parts, let alone assemble them. Sure, the plastic parts are easy but what about the metal and other stuff? How is this “self-reproducing?” It looks like it can’t fabricate all its constituent parts, let alone assemble them. Sure, the plastic parts are easy but what about the metal and other stuff?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136805 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136805 This looks good, but because they've been so popular people won't get their printers until the end of the year, or perhaps in early 2012, depending on when you look at this comment. That is a LOOOONG time to wait! I went ahead and put in a contribution to a related project, the SUMPOD, mentioned above: http://www.indiegogo.com/SUMPOD-3D-PRINTER As I commented there, "Big fan of the design aesthetic. The clean appearance will make the device much more accessible (largely on an unconscious level) when introducing it to people unfamiliar with the DIY/maker scene." This is a device that I can demo to my 8-year old daughter's friends (and their parents) without scaring anyone off with how "raw" it appears. Maybe you don't think that should be an issue, but for penetrating a larger and less familiar community, it is very important. This looks good, but because they’ve been so popular people won’t get their printers until the end of the year, or perhaps in early 2012, depending on when you look at this comment. That is a LOOOONG time to wait!

I went ahead and put in a contribution to a related project, the SUMPOD, mentioned above: http://www.indiegogo.com/SUMPOD-3D-PRINTER

As I commented there, “Big fan of the design aesthetic. The clean appearance will make the device much more accessible (largely on an unconscious level) when introducing it to people unfamiliar with the DIY/maker scene.” This is a device that I can demo to my 8-year old daughter’s friends (and their parents) without scaring anyone off with how “raw” it appears. Maybe you don’t think that should be an issue, but for penetrating a larger and less familiar community, it is very important.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136550 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136550 Is there a Moore's law type of regularity to the decreasing costs of 3D printer? If so, any snazzy charts around. I don't have $500 over for this so I'd like to estimate when I'll be able to afford one of them machines. Is there a Moore’s law type of regularity to the decreasing costs of 3D printer? If so, any snazzy charts around. I don’t have $500 over for this so I’d like to estimate when I’ll be able to afford one of them machines.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136807 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136807 With all due respect, at $17,000, they are not yet sniffing around this market, which requires a sub-$1000 product to get much traction. With all due respect, at $17,000, they are not yet sniffing around this market, which requires a sub-$1000 product to get much traction.

]]> By: Omir the Storyteller http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136044 Omir the Storyteller Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136044 This is pretty cool, and the $500 price tag is less than the Epson FX-80 printer was when it first came out lo these many years ago (IIRC the first sub-$1000 printer that was worth the effort it took to look it over, and it had an easily replaceable print head). But "self reproducing", as kmoser says, is a bit of a stretch. And if it really is self producing, I want the add-on that prints and populates the circuit boards for whatever electronics are inside it. I have uses for that sort of thing. Mwahahaha. This is pretty cool, and the $500 price tag is less than the Epson FX-80 printer was when it first came out lo these many years ago (IIRC the first sub-$1000 printer that was worth the effort it took to look it over, and it had an easily replaceable print head). But “self reproducing”, as kmoser says, is a bit of a stretch. And if it really is self producing, I want the add-on that prints and populates the circuit boards for whatever electronics are inside it. I have uses for that sort of thing. Mwahahaha.

]]> By: libraryboi http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136049 libraryboi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136049 The device itself is $500, but how much does the giant roll of plastic cost and how long does it last. (This doesn't take into consideration the cost to the environment. Not sure the planet needs another excuse for humans to create more plastic that will eventually be discarded.) The device itself is $500, but how much does the giant roll of plastic cost and how long does it last. (This doesn’t take into consideration the cost to the environment. Not sure the planet needs another excuse for humans to create more plastic that will eventually be discarded.)

]]> By: lecti http://boingboing.net/2011/06/11/self-reproducing-3d.html#comment-1136057 lecti Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1136057 I wonder how this compares to MakerBot's printer in terms of build quality and performance. Competition is good! I wonder how this compares to MakerBot’s printer in terms of build quality and performance. Competition is good!

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