User:Gmm5136

Blog Week 2

I do think the goal of a self replicating machine is feasible to an extent with the parts he mentioned not needing to be replicated. I think it will be very hard to replicate a part such as the threaded guides for the axis'. This would be hard to do because they need to be very precise and when you start replicating parts from machines built by other machines you will end up with different dimensions. This would be hard to keep very precise in the long term of the machine. Think of cutting out a piece of paper with a stencil then using the new stencil as a stencil for the next. After about 5, you can start to notice a change from the original machine. If we reproduce special parts, such as threaded axis guides then it will not be feasible.

I agree with the motto "Wealth without money" it follows the saying that people have been saying lately with the economy "invest in bricks." With a REPRAP machine a lot can be done. As it was said in the article if you need a part for a vacuum you can simply print it out. This printer has a very usefulness to it. It just needs to get out in everyone's hands. With the power of open sourcing, people could get a hold of models and print whatever they desire, which is what thinkiverse is.

I can see the REPRAP printer advancing to a simple design such as a regular printer. Plug and play type feature for every consumer. Right now you have to be pretty tech savy in building a REPRAP and maintaining it. However, just like the regular printer one day they were very confusing for the average user, in the next years I feel this machine will become a plug and play machine like any other printer. If someone can introduce a simple program for modeling, and incorporate the G-code in the same program where a user can just click print and see their printer work. This would allow anyone to print anything whether they design it, or get it from the internet.

Blog Week 1

   1) Pixar Lamp
   2) Flame Light Shade
   3) Washer
   4) Piano Necktie 
   5) Octopus

Due to my lack of experience thus far with REPRAP I chose this light (1) to be the must useful thing. This a good way to bring a 3D model to life and see what you designed in working condition. Everyone can use and understand the excitement in seeing something transform from computer screen to 3D model. I chose the flame light shade (2) as my artistic thing because of the fact at how it was modeled and shaped. It turned out to be a nice decorative piece. The washer (3) was chosen as the useless thing because there it cannot be used in a real world application due to the fact of it being plastic, it will not be able to replace a metal washer. The fact the washers are pennies, why would it be necessary to waste time and plastic on making this washer. I chose the piano necktie (4) as a funny thing because it would be a cool thing to wear around, however I could see it being pretty heavy having to wear it around your neck. I think it would bring laughs to any event if you come in wearing a plastic tie. Last but not least is the weird category. I am not sure if octopus is a theme of REPRAPs, but they seem to be a trending topic on thingverse. That is why I chose the octopus earring (5) as the weird category. It is off the normal route of 3d printing and I am not sure why.