----- Forwarded message from David Farber <
dave@farber.net> -----
From: David Farber <
dave@farber.net>
Subject: [IP] CNN: The machine that can copy anything
Date: Sun, 5 Jun 2005 07:47:36 -0400
Begin forwarded message:
From: John Parres <
johnparres@gmail.com>
Date: June 5, 2005 5:29:13 AM EDT
To: David Farber <
dave@farber.net>
Subject: CNN: The machine that can copy anything
Reply-To: John Parres <
johnparres@gmail.com>
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/06/02/tech.reprap/index.html
The machine that can copy anything
By Simon Hooper for CNN
Thursday, June 2, 2005 Posted: 10:48 AM EDT (1448 GMT)
LONDON, England (CNN) — A revolutionary machine that can copy itself
and manufacture everyday objects quickly and cheaply could transform
industry in the developing world, according to its creator.
The "self-replicating rapid prototyper," or "RepRap" is the brainchild
of Dr. Adrian Bowyer, a senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at
the University of Bath in the UK.
It is based on rapid prototyping technology commonly used to
manufacturer plastic components in industry from computer-generated
blueprints — effectively a form of 3D printer.
But Bowyer told CNN the RepRap's ability to copy itself could put
rapid prototyping technology within reach of the world's poorest
communities by alleviating the need for the sort of large-scale
industrial infrastructure common across the developed world.
"People can start manufacturing goods at a low price," said Bowyer.
"All one needs is a computer and a machine that can copy itself. It
can spread without enormous expenditure of capital and where labor
costs are low.
"It is the first technology that we can have that can simultaneously
make people more wealthy while reducing the need for industrial
production."
[...]
Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/06/02/tech.reprap/index.html
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----- End forwarded message -----
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*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://www.xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
http://www.glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
http://www.sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
