Think About your PC

setup. Imagine that you

could hook up a 3D printer
to it. Instead of just
printing out bits of paper
You can have all of this
for about
$40,000.00
 Or you can build one for about
$500.00
Then make a few for your friends.
 RepRap
Replicating Rapid-prototyper
is an open source 3d printer project
That was thought up by Dr. Adrian
Bower
Of the University of Bath in England

He came up with the idea of a self

replicating machine.
The problem he saw
was that he could
only sell one
So it became open source hardware

With the goal of making a 3d printer

that can replicate its self
Like open source software we have
been through different designs
 Time line for RepRap
• v1.0: Darwin Where we are at now
• 3D cartesian robot made from RP parts and steel rods.
• CAPA / HDPE / ABS print head capable of .5mm extrusion
• Electronics and software to control above systems.
• Offer parts kits and boards to help people get involved more easily.
• Create a thriving online community around the machine, its software, and
objects to create.
• v1.1
• Support material extrusion head to allow printing of parts with overhangs >
45deg.
• v2.0: Mendel
• Again, a Cartesian robot from RP parts.
• Print head capable of printing conductive material to create embedded circuits
• Possibly a turntable to do circular prints more easily.
• Expand the online community with a custom website of objects to build.
• Expand parts kits to encompass the whole project from top to bottom.
• Reduce number of external parts needed.
• Internationalize the software and localize into at least one non-English
language.
• v3.0 and Beyond
• Expand to a wide variety of materials: ceramics, wax, metals, etc.
• Keep improving the technology.
• Reduce number of external parts needed.
 How it all works
• First you take an
.STL file
• And you load it into
the RepRap host
software which is
programmed in
java so it will work
on multi platforms.
• Then the software
sends the
commands to the
RepRap electronics
which in turns
controls the
extruder and x y
and z axis stepper
motors.
 How to build your own
• Follow the RepRap wiki site at
www.reprap.org
• Install the host software onto a windows
XP MAC or Linux machine.
• Buy parts depending on how much you
want to make by hand.
• Assemble the electronics and test them
• Build the Cartesian robot
• Print 3 sets of parts 1 for a spare set and
the other 2 to give away.
Follow the RepRap wiki site at
www.reprap.org
 Install the host software onto a
Windows XP, MAC, or Linux machine.
Buy parts depending on how much
you want to make by hand.

• You can buy parts from the RepRap research

foundation www.rrrf.org a non profit organization
created by Zach
Smith for RepRap he sells the circuit boards, kits
for the electronics and needed supplies located in
New York city
• And Or from Bits from Bytes Ian Adkins makes
and sells resin casted parts to make a RepRap
Darwin robot also selling the electronics located
in England.
• Or from other suppliers listed on the RepRap Web
site.
Assemble the electronics and test
them
• There are 2 different sets of electronics
supported the circuit boards for both are
available from the RepRap Research
Foundation. The Arduino Based
The original PIC micro or electronics
based electronics

Both are
Require Programmer
supported and Newer not adopted as much
extra cost of about will be in the yet.
$100.00 Uses USB to communicate
Use serial
future and and does not require a
communications both work on separate programmer
Tested and running Is the future going forward
every machine Runs smother
 How the electronics
communicate
PIC Based electronics

Adruino based electronics

 Now for the Robot
We hit the chicken and the egg problem and that we did not
have and chickens to lay any eggs so you have some options
Wait and have somebody Order a set of cast parts Build a McWire bot
make you a set of parts from Bits From Bytes named seedling

make the parts from wood or

convert a CNC mill they have all
been done and there a people who
can support you!
There is also free .dxf files so you can laser cut
in plywood on your own or with ponoko
 Now you print parts
Most of us have started
with a cup so you can
toast with your favorite
beverage the creation
will
of a machine that
take over the
world
 Some links and keep watch soon Vic
Oliver will be finishing his machine
successfully replicating a printer

• www.reprap.org
• www.rrrf.org
• www.bitsfrombytes.com
• www.fab@home.org a second open
source 3d printer.