Hatrack River Forum: The first self-replicating machines: What every geek will want for Xmas

This is topic The first self-replicating machines: What every geek will want for Xmas in forum Discussions About Orson Scott Card at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :

Von Neumann devices --almost equivalent to self-replicating machines.

I had no idea 3D printers were getting so advanced so soon. I totally want one to play with! [The Wave]

quote:
Open source 3D printer copies itself
Self-replicating printer frees-up 3D printing under GNU
By Ulrika Hedquist Auckland | Tuesday, 8 April, 2008
Based in the Waitakeres, in West Auckland, software developer and artist Vik Olliver is part of a team developing an open-source, self-copying 3D printer. The RepRap (Replicating Rapid-prototyper) printer can replicate and update itself. It can print its own parts, including updates, says Olliver, who is one of the core members of the RepRap team.

The 3D printer works by building components up in layers of plastic, mainly polylactic acid (PLA), which is a bio-degradable polymer made from lactic acid. The technology already exists, but commercial machines are very expensive. They also can’t copy themselves, and they can’t be manipulated by users, says Olliver.

RepRap has a different idea. The team, which is spread over New Zealand, the UK and the US, develops and gives away the designs for its much cheaper machine, which also has self-copying capabilities. It wants to make the machine available to anybody — including small communities in the developing world, as well as people in the developed world, says Olliver.

http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/tech/2F5C3C5D68A380EDCC257423006E71CD

[ April 08, 2008, 11:45 PM: Message edited by: Morbo ]

Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :

I saw they were close to developing that in Discover.

*drools*

Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :

Apparently, steven and I are the only real geeks here. [Dont Know]

Posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick (Member # 9302) on :

On this side of the forum, maybe.

Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :

Huh, you're right. I always use "Today's Active Topics" so I rarely notice which side of the forum is which.

Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :

That sounds neat, but I'm still more interested in teleporting... when they have THAT going I'll become a geek again. :-)

Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :

They've already made that.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

AAAAAAH! REPLICATORS!!!!

Don't these people watch SG-1? [Angst]

Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :

I want to have this machine replicate itself a few billion times and see if it starts speciating.

Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :

Dude, that was hilarious.

Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :

Mmm. One step closer to gray goo.

Very cool technology. Thanks for the article. (New Zealand seems to have an unusual concentration of geniuses for such a small population, doesn't it?)

Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :

I remember this New Zealand scientist said on the Australian-New Zealand immigration problem that "there should be no reason to complain: The IQ of both nations is going up!"