User:Gtk5020

(9/4/12)

1. Useful

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:27249

This component, or at least the idea behind it is incredibly useful. The ability to create pipe connectors saves people the trouble of having to drive to the hardware store and search for the components they need. It certainly seems like it would make a lot of "do it yourself projects" easier.

2. Artistic

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:26843

This is a very simple design, but I think it's also very artistic. Like the name suggests it does look like it could be some "force of nature". Personally, I think it looks like a white cap on the ocean, and if you had a room in your home that was ocean or sailor themed, it would really make a nice addition.

3. Pointless

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:23538

This idea seems relatively useless to me since most shoe inserts are made out of softer materials. I feel like this would be kind of uncomfortable.

4. Funny

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:29518

I consider this design funny/awesome mainly just because I love Minecraft. At some point in this class, if I have my choice of object to make for an assignment I'm making one of these.

5. Weird

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:15750

This is an interesting design, but it definitely falls under the category of wierd, mainly because it reminds me of that babydoll-head robot thing from Toy Story.

(9/13/12)

1. I think that the idea of a completely self replicating constructor is a little far fetched since that would mean all the components would have to be made from the same extruded plastic material. That material is strong enough to support the structure of the machine, but I don't think I would trust it as the main component holding the entire machine together. Also, whatever material is used to make this machine must be extruded by it. I feel like an extruder nozzle made from the stuff being extruded is a bad idea.

2. To me, "wealth without money" means that you can get anything you need without purchasing it. Wealth can be represented by having money or having objects. Wealth without money simple means you can get a lot of objects without money.

3. Realistically, I think that in the future, RepRap machines will find a comfortable niche as hobby machines as well as small part producers. Some people will simply use them like the do now: something to build and basically play with, but I also think they could be useful as a standard home or office product, like the ink and paper printer is now. I believe that people in homes and offices will use them to create small parts that have broken off machines or appliances so that they can avoid replacing the entire product. However, I do not think that we will ever reach a point where at home 3D printers will create full size cameras and vacuum cleaners for commercial use; products like that are simply too complicated.