MakerBot prints another MakerBot, the circle is complete

MakerBot isn't the first self-replicating 3D printer -- that spectacular distinction went to the RepRap Darwin back in 2008 -- but that doesn't make it any less awesome that the $750 machine is now able to produce its own frame. With a month's labor, owner Webca was able to create the entire plastic chassis you see above, using a second MakerBot constructed of the traditional wooden parts. Without knowing how much goop went into the project, it's a touch difficult to say if the method is economical, but there's nothing to keep you from trying the same. Best of all, Webca decided to share his plans with the world -- you'll find instructions for all 150 pieces at the source link, a month off of work in your wildest dreams.

[abedinthehouse Posted Jun 8th 2010 4:58AM]

Great in a month I can reproduce the iPhone 4. lol

[abedinthehouse Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:00AM]

Seriously though, put this function into a robot and you have Josh's worst nightmare!

....Hell! Everyone's worst nightmare for that matter!!

[Bender the great Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:00AM]

@abedinthehouse No.

[abedinthehouse Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:15AM]

@Bender the great
Funny, I was just watching you on TV.....why dont you get boozed up and go bend something eh?

[fowenati Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:23AM]

@abedinthehouse Hey Abed? Mind getting me on the show with ya?

[abedinthehouse Posted Jun 8th 2010 6:43AM]

@fowenati
All are welcome on this unmentioned show..

[WenJam Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:02AM]

1. Buy 3D printer.
2. Buy ink.
3. ???
4. Profit!

[MastaQ Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:04AM]

I don't know about profit, regular 2D ink is expensive enough already!

[Vrmithrax Posted Jun 8th 2010 8:59AM]

@MastaQ - heh, ain't that the truth! My print cartridges are worth more than the inkjet printer they reside in!

Luckily, these MakerBot units don't use expensive materials (like most 3D printers do), it's just a reel of ABS plastic filament that gets auto-fed and melted down as it prints. Very cheap :)

[Sogeking Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:11AM]

Skynet

[Wiggy Fuzz Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:22AM]

@Sogeking

the first step of mass producing t800 units to storm the planet.

[kineticdamage Posted Jun 8th 2010 6:16AM]

@Sogeking

Hundreds of artificial intelligences are actually enjoying a private celebration party all over the net.

[Kangal Posted Jun 8th 2010 9:01AM]

@Wiggy Fuzz

Fcuk your t800 units, Storm Troopers FTW!

[poet Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:23AM]

"create the entire plastic chassis"

that's far from replicating ... claiming so it utter BS.

the maker bot is great, make no mistake, but replicating itself is something it will never do. the heart of the machine is far to complex for that ...

[Khav Posted Jun 8th 2010 9:09AM]

@poet You're right, it's impossible for a machine to produce a processor and some RAM, and put them together.

[bionictulip Posted Jun 8th 2010 11:12AM]

@Khav "It's not impossible. I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back home, they're not much bigger than two meters."

Then man your MakerBots.

[samisax Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:24AM]

this isn't a big deal.. it prints a plastic model of it's frame.. nothing big here.. next iPhone 4 article..

[evansgw Posted Jun 8th 2010 6:19AM]

If only it had webOS installed...

[Lord Vader Posted Jun 8th 2010 7:35AM]

At last. The circle is complete

[h0rk Posted Jun 8th 2010 7:42AM]

its not "off of work" its just "off work".

[TheTabe Posted Jun 8th 2010 9:21AM]

How is it replicating itself if it's just printing the frame pieces? What about all of the other parts?! Lame article...

[SteveyAyo Posted Jun 8th 2010 11:06AM]

@TheTabe theoretically it can copy all of its hardware pieces no problem. the plastic it creates is quite strong, i know someone who replace a bike crankshaft with one he 3d printed... the real problem is the electrc pieces it CANT recreate

[SteveyAyo Posted Jun 8th 2010 11:03AM]

@WenJam it costs me tons of money to operate a 3d printer even with small scale things... You dont really profit

[Nilithius Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:22PM]

What has science done!?