RepRap is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper. It is a practical self-copying 3D printer, a self-replicating machine. This 3D printer builds the parts up in layers of plastic. This technology already exists, but the cheapest commercial machine would cost you about U$40,000. And it isn’t even designed so that it can make itself. So what the RepRap team are doing is to develop and to give away the designs for a much cheaper machine with the novel capability of being able to self-copy (material costs are about U$650). That way it’s accessible to small communities in the developing world as well as individuals in the developed world.

Following the principles of the Free Software Movement RepRap are distributing the RepRap machine at no cost to everyone under the GNU General Public Licence.

The RepRap blog have just linked to instructions on their Wiki of how to assemble their Ponoko RepRap Extruder, too cool. In an upcoming post we will be interviewing the RepRap crew to get their take on personal manufacturing and alike….

In the meantime check out their designs in the Ponoko showroom or the RepRap Site..