Archonix
Whining Artist
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All you can do is watch the inevitable crash down
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« on: June 04, 2008, 11:02:00 am » |
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The Replicating Rapid-prototyper (RepRap) was created by scientists from the University of Bath and is essentially a printer that’s able to build 3D plastic objects, such as door handles. It uses a technique called “additive fabrication” to 'print' thin layers of molten plastic which then solidify. Spray another layer on top of the first, then more layers, and you can make useful objects.
RepRap has even been used to create another version of itself, essentially seeing the original, or parent, machine create a so-called child version. Although 3D printers aren’t a new concept, the team claims that RepRap is the first such machine able to ‘print’ itself. http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/06/04/reprap_machine/Ok so the concept isn't new but, this one seems to make it almost affordable. And it replicates itself! Or most of itself. Some assembly required, of course... |
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The Scots (originally Irish, but by now Scotch) were at this time inhabiting Ireland, having driven the Irish (Picts) out of Scotland; while the Picts (originally Scots) were now Irish (living in brackets) and vice versa. It is essential to keep these distinctions clearly in mind (and verce visa).
1066 and All That
In the world it is called Tolerance, but in hell it is called Despair, the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.
Dorothy L Sayers
The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody had decided not to see.
Ayn Rand
Parallel Lives current status:
A Road Not Taken: Complete
Where I Belong: 79,936
Cantus Maeroris: 2,000
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A Spy in Mancunia
Swedish Meatball
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Love your work!
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« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2008, 12:42:11 pm » |
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Replicators!
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I'm just a man, I'm not a hero
I'm just a boy who had to sing this song
I'm just a man, I'm not a hero
I - DON'T - CARE
We'll carry on
We'll carry on
Though you're dead and gone, believe me
Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated
Your weary widow marches on.
- My Chemical Romance, "Welcome to the Black Parade"
Current status report: polishing up this thing
Word count: about 6 900 words too much
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Molloy the Catburglar
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« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2008, 03:49:32 pm » |
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Oooh, I saw a video of one of these replicator printer things in action once. Science!
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 Trace said he didn't see himself as an icon, but wanted to be a logo. Frank settled for being a font.--MST3K interview |
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Archonix
Whining Artist
Chief Executive Officer
Secretariat General
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Gender:
Posts: 5435
All you can do is watch the inevitable crash down
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« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2008, 04:46:12 pm » |
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What excites me is the possibility that we'll soon be able to "print" circuits and electronics using organic semiconductors. You can already get organic LED displays, though they aren't hugely amazing, and then there's other sorts of display that can be "printed" coming through. That means you can potentially print out an entire electronic device...
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The Scots (originally Irish, but by now Scotch) were at this time inhabiting Ireland, having driven the Irish (Picts) out of Scotland; while the Picts (originally Scots) were now Irish (living in brackets) and vice versa. It is essential to keep these distinctions clearly in mind (and verce visa).
1066 and All That
In the world it is called Tolerance, but in hell it is called Despair, the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.
Dorothy L Sayers
The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody had decided not to see.
Ayn Rand
Parallel Lives current status:
A Road Not Taken: Complete
Where I Belong: 79,936
Cantus Maeroris: 2,000
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A Spy in Mancunia
Swedish Meatball
Bootlick
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 6194
Love your work!
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« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2008, 05:01:19 pm » |
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Adam Pulver knew this, and so will I!
(Well... he had meals being downloaded from the internet in that "Keys of Tanur" story...)
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I'm just a man, I'm not a hero
I'm just a boy who had to sing this song
I'm just a man, I'm not a hero
I - DON'T - CARE
We'll carry on
We'll carry on
Though you're dead and gone, believe me
Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated
Your weary widow marches on.
- My Chemical Romance, "Welcome to the Black Parade"
Current status report: polishing up this thing
Word count: about 6 900 words too much
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sabrina_diamond
New SNPP Employee
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Posts: 68
I'm a llama!
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« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2008, 10:40:07 pm » |
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I saw this on Beyond Tommorow, a Science show I liked. Sounds awesome, I wonder if it will be used to construct scaled buldings... Think of possibiliries
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fellranger
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« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2008, 06:26:27 pm » |
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I think it raises some interesting possibilities for e-commerce. Want the latest gadget? Why wait for it on mail order, just buy the file online and you can print it out straight away...  |
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